Andy goes to see Warden Norton. He recounts what Tommy Williams had said to him about Elwood Blatch, but the warden is not overly moved by the information. Instead, he takes an antagonistic approach and accuses Andy of falling for nonsense, saying that he believed Andy was smarter than that. He says to Andy: “Wellnow, you may be indulging in a little selective perception there” (61). Andy’s sense of urgency is eventually replaced by agitation; he simply cannot believe that the warden is as dismissive as he is. Exasperated, he accuses the warden of being “obtuse” which elicits an angry reprimand and an escort to solitary confinement, where he will spend 20 days.

After providing some history of solitary confinement in New England, Red returns to Andy’s predicament. While in solitary, Andy does not relinquish his hopes that e the warden will eventually relent and see that Andy had been falsely accused of double murder, and that he should at least be given a second trial. After leaving solitary, Andy pesters the warden for another interview and after many attempts, he finally secures one. This time, Andy immediately mentions the fact that he has been doing the warden’s dirty work while in prison, and promises that if released, he would not reveal to anyone the kinds of illegal activities the warden has been engaged in.