Mrs. Dufresne is a fictional character from the novel The Shawshank Redemption, written by Stephen King. She is the wife of Andy Dufresne, the main character, who is wrongfully imprisoned for the murder of her. Her character plays a significant role in the backstory of Andy's life before his incarceration. In the story, Mrs. Dufresne's life is marked by tragedy, as her death deeply affects Andy. Her character symbolizes the life and love that Andy loses when he is sent to Shawshank State Penitentiary. This loss becomes a driving force in his quest for freedom and justice throughout the narrative.