A Special Interpretation of The Shawshank Redemption

In China, The Shawshank Redemption is a film of great distinction. And it always ranks first in many recommended lists of movies, treasured and cherished. Naturally, there are already large quantities of remarks on the leading roles. Allowing for this, writing one more piece can be nothing but the icing on the cake. As for me, I would rather open a new path. So on second thoughts, I decided to go into details about Brooks Halten, one you might neglect easily. Brooks Halten was a short gray-haired old man with deep wrinkles on his forehead, which represented an impression of affability and clemency. Considering his long time spent in prison, educational background and his friendship with Jack, it is no wonder that Brooks is a character endowed with particular significance, menial but vital. Among these, most noteworthy may be Jack, a bird he saved and nourished. Truth to tell, I was moved wholly while Brooks was feeding Jack in his arms. So warm and touching was the scene that I would never forget it. However, much to my astonishment, hardly had he heard the congratulations on his parole from Heywood when he went out of his mind and lost control of himself. Unfortunately, the amiable old man ended up dying by his own hand in terror soon after he tore himself away from Shawshank. Freedom coming, he gave up on himself and was reduced to killing himself instead. How ironic it was! The narration of Brooks Halten is not designed to probe into institutionalization. What I desire to point out is my personal view that it is none other than the despair arising from the huge gap between an individual and the society that drove him to the wall. It has been entirely 50 years since Brooks was put in prison. Great changes have taken place outside as time zipped by yet he knew nothing. As was described in his correspondence, a new and flourishing world was speeding ahead with continuous development of science and technology while he was too old to learn with the result that he could not adapt himself to the instant world, completely overwhelmed and hopeless. Worse than ever, he had no family and friends to turn to. So it was out of the question for him to bridge the gap and build up his identity again. Choked with dread and anxiety in his mind, he had no choice but to commit suicide in a gesture to free from the inner violent psychological imbalance. To find out the most essential factor arousing the death of Brooks contributes to the reassessment of the prison system. Reflecting on it, most of us merely look on the bright side, which is on behalf of sanctions those deserve ill of and safeguard for a harmonious society. Nevertheless, we had better chew on its rationality from prisoners' standpoint. It is natural that they should answer for their crimes and pay the price. Providing that they thoroughly reform themselves at long last but fail to make a fresh start as Brooks Halten, who is it that should be to blame and compensate for their suffering and the miserable ending? Were it not for long-term isolation, they would not be trapped in such a dilemma. Not only shall we advocate equity and justice, but we are also meant to keep love and forgiveness in mind. Peccant as the criminals are, they still have human rights, rehabilitation included. In a sense, separating them from the real world is tantamount to depriving them of their second
chances, which will hold them so far behind the human civilization and create an insurmountable gulf indirectly.

                                                                                                   ZHENGDE ZHANG

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