Abstract

In western culture, the mainstream value view of humanism in USA culture become the essence of individualism, in the film The Shawshank Redemption is also got a full range of interpretation，adapted from the Stephen King’s novella Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank redemption tells the story of the protagonist --- Andy Dufresne, a banker who spends 19 years in Shawshank State Prison for the murder of his wife and her lover despite his claims of innocence. Andy defied the darkness and fear life in prison, adhering to hope and faith , finally managing to escape, and getting the hard-won liberties.
The Shawshank Redemption is real society in miniature. The author attempts to explore American individualism according to the given story and background,  focusing on the analysis of the hero for individual freedom, the pursuit of individual value and individual qualities. The first chapter introduces the meaning and origin of individualism, and individualism of American-patten and its social influence; chapter two introduces the film and its background;chapter three focuses on the analysis of the main plot and characters---Andy and Red, and the reflection of American individualism in the film.

Key words: Individualism; Individual freedom; Individual worth; Individual endeavors; The Shawshank Redemption

摘  要

在西方文化中，以人为本的主流价值观在美国文化中发展成为了最为精髓的个人主义，在电影《肖申克的救赎》中更是得到了全方位的诠释。电影《肖申克的救赎》改自斯蒂芬•金的短片小说《丽塔•海华丝和肖申克的救赎》故事讲述了主人公——年轻有为的银行家艾迪•杜方因谋杀了妻子及其情人这个莫须有的罪名被判入狱，在狱中度过十九年却不畏狱中生活的黑暗和恐惧，秉承希望和信念最终越狱成功，终获自由的故事。
笔者以电影《肖申克的救赎》为缩影，试图探索这样特定的故事情节和时代背景下所表现的的个人主义及其深远影响，侧重分析主人公对个人自由，个人价值和个人品质等方面的追求来重新阐释美式个人主义。论文第一章介绍个人主义的含义和根源，以及个人主义在美国的发展和对社会的影响。第二章介绍电影以及时代背景。第三章通过对主要人物及故事情节的分析阐述个人主义在电影中的体现。

关键词：个人主义；个人自由；个人价值；个人品质；《肖申克的救赎》