How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from The Shawshank Redemption.
Quote #4
ANDY: You know what the Mexicans say about the Pacific? They say it has no memory. That's where I'd like to finish out my life, Red. A warm place with no memory.
This is Andy's greatest dream, and what has kept him moving forward for all these years. He isn't just holding onto some vague idea of freedom. He knows exactly what he wants, and exactly where he intends to be.
Like anything else in life, you're more likely to succeed when you have a specific goal in mind to drive you. For example, if Andy's line of thinking had instead been, "Maybe I'd hit up a beach or two? Learn how to surf? Or just bum around my apartment? I dunno", we doubt he ever would have gotten out of that place.
Quote #5
ANDY: I guess it comes down to a simple choice, really. Get busy living or get busy dying.
This is by far the most famous line from the movie, and with good reason. It totally sums up the choice Andy was forced to make when he found himself in a torturous, horribly unfair situation. He could have folded himself into the fetal position and waited for the Grim Reaper to come a-calling, or he could lift himself up and try to win himself a bit of justice. That's hope.
We're glad he went with Option B. Two hours of a man lying huddled on a cell floor would have been rough.