72 pages 2 hours read

Stephen King

Different Seasons

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1982

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Character Analysis

Andy Dufresne

Content warning: This section of the guide contains references to death by suicide, racism, and the Holocaust.

Andy is a former investment banker and the protagonist of “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.” Red describes him as a small, neat man with clean, clipped nails who always looked as though he should be wearing a tie. Throughout the novella, Andy Dufresne remains an enigmatic character. He changes little, remaining steadfast in his determination to get either justice or freedom. His taciturnity and focus contributed to his conviction, as the jury was unable to see him as a grieving husband. He is also pragmatic. He doesn’t let the knowledge of his own innocence blind him to the possibility of conviction. He arranges a contingency plan and begins immediately to work on an escape from the prison. Although Andy doesn’t transform, he has an impact on Red, giving Red the courage to attempt life outside prison. He thus initiates rather than enacts The Arc of Transformation.

Andy is a redeemer figure and King frequently alludes to Jesus in his characterization. Andy’s escape from the prison is a death and rebirth. He passes through a dark passage into the underworld, squeezes his way through a sewer, representing death and corruption, and finally emerges into the light.

Related Titles

By Stephen King

Plot Summary

logo

Bag of Bones

Stephen King

Bag of Bones

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Billy Summers

Stephen King

Billy Summers

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Children of the Corn

Stephen King

Children of the Corn

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Doctor Sleep

Stephen King

Doctor Sleep

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Dolores Claiborne

Stephen King

Dolores Claiborne

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Elevation

Stephen King

Elevation: A Novel

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

End of Watch

Stephen King

End of Watch

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Fairy Tale

Stephen King

Fairy Tale

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Finders Keepers

Stephen King

Finders Keepers

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Firestarter

Stephen King

Firestarter

Stephen King

Plot Summary

logo

From a Buick 8

Stephen King

From a Buick 8

Stephen King

Plot Summary

logo

Full Dark, No Stars

Stephen King

Full Dark, No Stars

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Gerald's Game

Stephen King

Gerald's Game

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Gwendy's Button Box

Stephen King, Richard Chizmar

Gwendy's Button Box

Stephen King, Richard Chizmar