摘　要

《肖申克的救赎》是美国著名作家斯蒂芬•金最具代表性的作品之一。通过人物的个人自由，个人独立以及个人荣誉及地位等，充分表现了个人主义这一主题。个人自由是《肖申克的救赎》中最具明显的个人主义，整部影片都通过先抑后扬的手法，将对个人自由的追求贯穿全部电影，并在最后一刻将之释放。作为美国电影历史上最有名的电影之一，《肖申克的救赎》深刻地展现了个人主义核心价值观。这篇论文探索了《肖申克的救赎》中的个人主义价值，从而使我们对这部电影中个人主义的展现有一个更好的理解。个人主义的意义主要表现在两个方面：个人主义自由，个人主义荣誉。

关键词：个人主义；自由；荣誉
 
Abstract

The Shawshank Redemption is one of articles of the American famous writer, Stephen King. It fully expresses the theme of Individualism through the freedom, independence, personal honor and position of the characters. Personal freedom is the most obvious individualism. The film uses the skill, rise after restrain, to express the pursuit of personal freedom. As one of the most famous American films, the Shawshank Redemption shows the core value of individualism. This thesis tries to explore the value of individualism in the Shawshank Redemption so that it makes the audience have a better understanding about how individualism is expressed in this film. It expounds that the idea of individualism is expressed in the film mainly in two aspects: individual freedom and individual reputation. Andy and Red are the leading roles who show their eagerness of freedom and reputation in many ways. The core and the clue of this thesis is individualism. And it is the very core value of America. So there are many different concepts, but the substance of individualism never changes. According to the different concepts, the individualism of this film “the Shawshank Redemption” is mainly divided into two aspects: the individual freedom of body and spirit, the individual reputation. And the individual freedom and individual reputation are mainly manifested by the leading role Andy and Red. At first, Andy and Red’s pursuit of freedom on body and spirit in this film shows the American individualism on freedom. Then the pursuit of reputation of Andy and Red shows the American individualism on reputation. From the pursuit of individual freedom and individual reputation of Andy and Red, it is easy to understand individualism is so important and representative to the Americans.

Key words: individualism; freedom; reputation

1 Introduction
   For years, film is considered as a kind of cultural artifact which reflects everyday life, and also have influences on it. In Culture Study, popular culture occupies a significant position. Nowadays, the movie business is one of the best entertainment industries over the world and its influences exist everywhere. Besides, film is also a significant art performance and a powerful means to express ideas, values and beliefs. Beyond all doubt, by displaying attractive plot and fancy scenes, American film plays the role of the carrier of American values. And in American values, individualism is certainly the core.