theme and thesis in reference to shawshank redemption

theme: if we put our faith in others, if we put our hope in others, will everything work out for us?
thesis: no, we must rely on ourselves, stand up for ourselves, believe in ourselves.

thematic question "Is Red rehabilitated?" and "Is Andy guilty?"

thesis character andy dufresene works his way up in the prison using his knowledge and skills.  he believes in himself to be able to withstand any torture, and knows right away he'll have to escape through the wall.

now, what's interesting is that as andy stays in prison just as long as red, he too starts to "put his faith in the lord".  ultimately believing Warden Norton will listen to Tommy's story and help Andy get out of prison.  Andy puts his faith in others until that is quickly squashed with the death of Tommy.  Once again Andy picks himself back up and reminds himself what he's known all along.

This idea of relying on others, believing in others, to help you, it happens in religion, it happens in this prison, it can be call institutionalization.

now Red, represents the opposite thesis...he is heavily involved in putting his faith in others, hoping others will help him.  First scene with Red he is in a room with parole board.  they ask him if he's been rehabilitated....he says yes.  He's hoping they will set him free.  They don't.  Interesting enough, the members of the parole board DO NOT put their faith in Red,  the same way the judge, jury, and D.A. did not put their faith in Andy.  Andy says he didnt kill them....they don't believe him.

On the other end of the spectrum, Brooks is completely reliant on others,  even set free he asks manager to go to the bathroom...he doesnt have any belief in himself and kills himself

Norton is strong at first but comes to rely on Andy to do his dirty work....he ultimately puts his faith in Andy, in others,  and look what happens...he kills himself.

Tommy puts his faith in the Warden and gets murdered

Once Red decides to lose hope in others and gain hope in himself, to take a stand for himself, to talk fresh to the parole board,  he's set free.  they see themselves in Red at that moment,  a strong personality that doesnt rely on others, that exudes, "i dont give a shit what you think, i know what i know."  that personality must be true.

now Theme could be stated, "If I rely on myself, believe in myself will I be set free?"
Thesis: "Yes, relying on others gets you nowhere but dead."

my take is that the theme question can be phrased, stated in many ways.  there is no one right word order, it should simply contain the idea of the story.  and same goes for thesis.

More info:
http://screenwritingessential.blogspot.com/2012/11/archetypes-in-shawshank-redemption-in.html