What do andy nails represent

I think Andy represents hope and determination. Red describes Andy as meticulous, and is often perplexed by Andy's sense of hope, even when the odds are stacked against him. Andy's determination pays off, however, and he eventually escapes from Shawshank without anyone realizing until he's long gone. After his expert getaway, he takes Norton's money, stages Norton's demise, and flees to Mexico, leaving a trail behind for Red to follow.