Although Brooks and Red had a difference of friends, the real difference was hope. Red had said, “When they put you [in prison] for life, that’s what they take, the important part anyways.” The final stage of being institutionalized is the removal of all hope. Both Brooks and Red had gone through its final stage, but Red’s friendship with Andy gave Red a glimmer of hope. Brooks and Red, although slightly different, were essentially the same in every way. It’s just that hope had set Red free. ....