The Shawshank Redemption

better

“Brooks was here.”

During difficult times, I too left my mark on the wall. Lost in the vastness of the big city (university), surrounded by people I couldn’t connect with, I felt adrift. Despite the myriad of opportunities, bathed in the golden afternoon sunlight, I still felt empty. What should I do with so much freedom? How could I find my redemption?

“There are places in the world that aren’t made out of stone. And there is something inside that they can’t get to, that they can’t touch. It’s yours. Hope.”

When Andy played the opera for the entire prison, it reminded me of the time I played the movie “V for Vendetta” for my high school classmates. It was New Year’s Day of my third year in high school. For a fleeting moment, we experienced freedom. However, after 20 minutes, a teacher from another class shut it down. That was 2012, and such movies were considered sensitive. Like the Italian opera in the prison, it was a reminder that there are beautiful things beyond the confines of our institutionalized lives. I recall similar words written in the concentration camp in “V for Vendetta.”

The most terrifying aspect of Shawshank is its ability to erase anyone, to extinguish hope unless one learns obedience. They killed Tommy to prevent Andy from leaving. In Shawshank, hope is a fragile thing.

From his first day, Andy was planning his escape. Every move he made was a step toward hope.

While watching the movie, I discussed with my friends the grim realities in China. One friend asked, “Since you’re abroad, why not just enjoy the freedom?” I replied that my poor English and limited knowledge of Germany made it hard to build relationships or create a life here. He then posed a harsh truth: “Did you make any friends in China during your two years of work?” The challenges I faced in China only became more daunting when I came abroad.

Freedom comes at a cost, and it’s never cheap. Even someone as intelligent as Andy needed twenty years to prepare and escape. Most of his friends in prison never had a chance. We are ordinary people, leading tough lives. By the time we retire, we may find ourselves fully institutionalized.

“But I’m telling you. These walls are funny. First, you hate them. Then you get used to them. Enough time passes, you depend on them. That’s institutionalized.”

“Terrible thing to live in fear. Brooks Hatlen knew it all too well. All I wanted was to be back where things made sense, where I wouldn’t have to be afraid all the time.”

We need hope, and preparation is the way to sustain it. Yet, the demands of making a living often lead us to adapt to the walls around us. That’s why we need music, art, books, movies—anything that reminds us of what a dream life should be. Life is not just about work; it’s about enjoying and preserving hope. That’s what we can do.

For me, this is my first time living a different life, exploring and embracing new possibilities. There’s no need to follow rigid guidelines or rush. Just keep trying and don’t fear making small mistakes. Freedom means doing what you truly want. The most important thing is discovering what that is.

Keep exploring and never stop. There’s always something to engage your mind. Choose wisely and carefully. Relax and enjoy every possibility.

“Get busy living or get busy dying. That’s goddamn right.”

“I find I’m so excited I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it’s the excitement only a free man can feel. A free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain.”

I hope to find the reason for my existence. I hope to discover a place of inner peace. I hope to stand in a spacious place. I hope.

origin

“Brooks was here.”

During the hard times, I also carved my name on the wall. Lost in the big city (university), full of people I don’t know how to communicate with. With so many things I can do, Illuminated by sunlight of afternoon, I still felt vein. What should I do, with so much of freedom, how can I find my redemption?

“There are places in the world that aren’t made out of stone. And there is something inside that they can’t get in to, that they can’t touch. It’s yours. Hope.”

When Andy play the drama to the whole prison, I recall that I played the movie “V for revenge” in front of my high school classmates. It was New Years day of third year in high school. To freedom, even for just one second. However, after 20 minutes, the playing was shut down by teacher from another class. That was 2012, the movie like this was sensitive. Like the Italy drama in the prison. We get used to institutional normal life, but someone has to show that there are other beautiful things out there. I remember same words write in the concentration camp in the movie “V”.

The most terrified thing in Shawshank is that, they can eliminate anyone here. Make anyone disappear, and destroy any hope unless you learn obedience. They killed the kid Tommy to prevent Andy to leave. Hence, there are no really hope in the prison.

First day in here, he was trying to escape. Every move he made, it always be prepared for hope.

During my watching, I talked to my friends about how bad the situation is in China. Then a friend told me that as long as I am aboard, why not just enjoy the freedom? I said that since my poor English and little know about Germany, I can’t create the relationship with people here and I don’t have life here. He proposed a bloody truth:” Do you make any friends in China during your work for two years?” Yes, the challenge faced in China becomes more difficult when I coming aboard.

Freedom has its cost, which is never cheap. As smart as Andy, he still needs twenty years to prepare and escape. The rest friend in prison never got a chance. We are just ordinary people, and live a tough life. When we retire, we would be fully institutionalized.

“But I’m telling you. These walls are funny. First, you hate them. Then you get used to them. Enough time passes, you get so you depend on them. That’s institutionalized.”

“Terrible thing to live in fear. Brooks Hatlen knew it, knew it all too well. All I want to be back where things make sense. Where I won’t have to be afield all the time.”

We need hope, and preparation is the way to keep it. However, we have to make a living. This will leads us to adeptness the wall. So we need music, painting, books, movies or anything will remind us about what a dream life should be. That’s why we need life, instead devoting us to work. Enjoy life, find and keep hope, that is what we can do.

As for me, this is my first time to live a different life, explore and enjoy for any possibility. No need to follow the guidelines or hurry, just keep trying and do not be afraid to make a little mistake. Freedom means that you can do anything you want. The most import thing is to find what you really want.

Keep exploring and never stop. There is always something to occupy your brain. Choose it careful and wisely. Relax and enjoy, for any possibility.

“Get busy living or get busy dying. That’s goddam right.”

I hope I can find the reason why God created me. I hope I can find the place where inner peace is. I hope I can set my feet in a spacious place. I hope.

analysis

原文: During the hard times, I also carved my name on the wall. Lost in the big city (university), full of people I don’t know how to communicate with.
- 问题: “Lost in the big city (university), full of people I don’t know how to communicate with.” 是一个句子片段，缺少主语和谓语。
- 修改后: During the hard times, I also carved my name on the wall. I was lost in the big city (university), surrounded by people I didn’t know how to communicate with.
原文: With so many things I can do, Illuminated by sunlight of afternoon, I still felt vein.
- 问题: “Illuminated by sunlight of afternoon” 缺少主语，”vein” 应为 “vain”。
- 修改后: With so many things I could do, illuminated by the afternoon sunlight, I still felt vain.
原文: What should I do, with so much of freedom, how can I find my redemption?
- 问题: “so much of freedom” 应为 “so much freedom”，句子时态不一致。
- 修改后: What should I do with so much freedom? How could I find my redemption?
原文: When Andy play the drama to the whole prison, I recall that I played the movie “V for revenge” in front of my high school classmates.
- 问题: “play” 应为过去式 “played”，”V for revenge” 应为 “V for Vendetta”。
- 修改后: When Andy played the drama for the whole prison, I recalled that I had played the movie “V for Vendetta” in front of my high school classmates.
原文: It was New Years day of third year in high school.
- 问题: “New Years day” 应为 “New Year’s Day”，”of third year in high school” 应为 “of my third year in high school”。
- 修改后: It was New Year’s Day of my third year in high school.
原文: To freedom, even for just one second.
- 问题: 句子片段，缺少谓语。
- 修改后: It was a moment of freedom, even if just for one second.
原文: Like the Italy drama in the prison.
- 问题: “Italy drama” 应为 “Italian drama”，句子片段。
- 修改后: It was like the Italian drama in the prison.
原文: We get used to institutional normal life, but someone has to show that there are other beautiful things out there.
- 问题: “get used” 应为过去式 “got used”，”institutional normal life” 应为 “institutionalized normal life”。
- 修改后: We got used to institutionalized normal life, but someone had to show that there were other beautiful things out there.
原文: I remember same words write in the concentration camp in the movie “V”.
- 问题: “same words write” 应为 “the same words written”。
- 修改后: I remember the same words written in the concentration camp in the movie “V”.
原文: The most terrified thing in Shawshank is that, they can eliminate anyone here.
- 问题: “terrified” 应为 “terrifying”，”is that, they can” 中的逗号不需要。
- 修改后: The most terrifying thing in Shawshank is that they can eliminate anyone here.
原文: Make anyone disappear, and destroy any hope unless you learn obedience.
- 问题: 句子片段，缺少主语。
- 修改后: They can make anyone disappear and destroy any hope unless you learn obedience.
原文: They killed the kid Tommy to prevent Andy to leave.
- 问题: “to leave” 应为 “from leaving”。
- 修改后: They killed the kid Tommy to prevent Andy from leaving.
原文: Hence, there are no really hope in the prison.
- 问题: “no really hope” 应为 “no real hope”。
- 修改后: Hence, there is no real hope in the prison.
原文: First day in here, he was trying to escape.
- 问题: “First day in here” 应为 “On his first day here”。
- 修改后: On his first day here, he was trying to escape.
原文: Every move he made, it always be prepared for hope.
- 问题: “it always be prepared” 应为 “it was always prepared”。
- 修改后: Every move he made was always prepared for hope.
原文: During my watching, I talked to my friends about how bad the situation is in China.
- 问题: “During my watching” 应为 “While watching the movie”，”is” 应为 “was”。
- 修改后: While watching the movie, I talked to my friends about how bad the situation was in China.
原文: Then a friend told me that as long as I am aboard, why not just enjoy the freedom?
- 问题: “aboard” 应为 “abroad”，”am” 应为 “was”。
- 修改后: Then a friend told me that as long as I was abroad, why not just enjoy the freedom?
原文: I said that since my poor English and little know about Germany, I can’t create the relationship with people here and I don’t have life here.
- 问题: “my poor English and little know” 应为 “my poor English and little knowledge”，”can’t” 应为 “couldn’t”，”don’t have life here” 应为 “didn’t have a life here”。
- 修改后: I said that since my poor English and little knowledge about Germany, I couldn’t create relationships with people here and didn’t have a life here.
原文: He proposed a bloody truth:” Do you make any friends in China during your work for two years?”
- 问题: “Do you make” 应为 “Did you make”，”during your work for two years” 应为 “during your two years of work”。
- 修改后: He proposed a bloody truth: “Did you make any friends in China during your two years of work?”
原文: Yes, the challenge faced in China becomes more difficult when I coming aboard.
- 问题: “becomes” 应为 “became”，”I coming aboard” 应为 “I came abroad”。
- 修改后: Yes, the challenge faced in China became more difficult when I came abroad.
原文: Freedom has its cost, which is never cheap.
- 问题: 无明显问题。
- 修改后: Freedom has its cost, which is never cheap.
原文: As smart as Andy, he still needs twenty years to prepare and escape.
- 问题: “needs” 应为 “needed”。
- 修改后: As smart as Andy was, he still needed twenty years to prepare and escape.
原文: The rest friend in prison never got a chance.
- 问题: “rest friend” 应为 “rest of his friends”。
- 修改后: The rest of his friends in prison never got a chance.
原文: We are just ordinary people, and live a tough life.
- 问题: “live” 应为 “lived”。
- 修改后: We were just ordinary people and lived a tough life.
原文: When we retire, we would be fully institutionalized.
- 问题: 无明显问题。
- 修改后: When we retire, we would be fully institutionalized.
原文: “But I’m telling you. These walls are funny. First, you hate them. Then you get used to them. Enough time passes, you get so you depend on them. That’s institutionalized.”
- 问题: 无明显问题。
- 修改后: “But I’m telling you. These walls are funny. First, you hate them. Then you get used to them. Enough time passes, you get so you depend on them. That’s institutionalized.”
原文: “Terrible thing to live in fear. Brooks Hatlen knew it, knew it all too well. All I want to be back where things make sense. Where I won’t have to be afield all the time.”
- 问题: “All I want to be back” 应为 “All I wanted was to be back”，”afield” 应为 “afraid”。
- 修改后: “Terrible thing to live in fear. Brooks Hatlen knew it, knew it all too well. All I wanted was to be back where things made sense. Where I wouldn’t have to be afraid all the time.”
原文: We need hope, and preparation is the way to keep it.
- 问题: 无明显问题。
- 修改后: We need hope, and preparation is the way to keep it.
原文: However, we have to make a living. This will leads us to adeptness the wall.
- 问题: “leads” 应为 “lead”，”adeptness the wall” 应为 “adapt to the wall”。
- 修改后: However, we have to make a living. This will lead us to adapt to the wall.
原文: So we need music, painting, books, movies or anything will remind us about what a dream life should be.
- 问题: “will remind” 应为 “that will remind”。
- 修改后: So we need music, painting, books, movies, or anything that will remind us about what a dream life should be.
原文: That’s why we need life, instead devoting us to work.
- 问题: “instead devoting us to work” 应为 “instead of devoting ourselves to work”。
- 修改后: That’s why we need life, instead of devoting ourselves to work.
原文: Enjoy life, find and keep hope, that is what we can do.
- 问题: “that is what we can do” 应为 “that’s what we can do”。
- 修改后: Enjoy life, find and keep hope; that’s what we can do.
原文: As for me, this is my first time to live a different life, explore and enjoy for any possibility.
- 问题: “to live” 应为 “living”，”enjoy for any possibility” 应为 “and enjoy any possibility”。
- 修改后: As for me, this is my first time living a different life, exploring and enjoying any possibility.
原文: No need to follow the guidelines or hurry, just keep trying and do not be afraid to make a little mistake.
- 问题: “make a little mistake” 应为 “make little mistakes”。
- 修改后: No need to follow the guidelines or hurry; just keep trying and do not be afraid to make little mistakes.
原文: Freedom means that you can do anything you want.
- 问题: 无明显问题。
- 修改后: Freedom means that you can do anything you want.
原文: The most import thing is to find what you really want.
- 问题: “import” 应为 “important”。
- 修改后: The most important thing is to find what you really want.
原文: Keep exploring and never stop. There is always something to occupy your brain.
- 问题: 无明显问题。
- 修改后: Keep exploring and never stop. There is always something to occupy your brain.
原文: Choose it careful and wisely.
- 问题: “careful” 应为 “carefully”。
- 修改后: Choose it carefully and wisely.
原文: Relax and enjoy, for any possibility.
- 问题: “for any possibility” 应为 “every possibility”。
- 修改后: Relax and enjoy every possibility.
原文: “Get busy living or get busy dying. That’s goddam right.”
- 问题: 无明显问题。
- 修改后: “Get busy living or get busy dying. That’s goddam right.”
原文: “I find I’m so excited I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it’s the excitement only a free man can feel. A free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain.”
- 问题: 无明显问题。
- 修改后: “I find I’m so excited I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it’s the excitement only a free man can feel. A free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain。”
原文: I hope I can find the reason why God created me.
- 问题: 无明显问题。
- 修改后: I hope I can find the reason why God created me.
原文: I hope I can find the place where inner peace is.
- 问题: “where inner peace is” 应为 “where I can find inner peace”。
- 修改后: I hope I can find the place where I can find inner peace.
原文: I hope I can set my feet in a spacious place.
- 问题: 无明显问题。
- 修改后: I hope I can set my feet in a spacious place.
原文: I hope.
- 问题: 无明显问题。
- 修改后: I hope.