The Shawshank Redemption: Fifteen Years Later
Its Message is Worth Another Look During these Uncertain Times
Feb 11, 2009
In hard times such as these, an uplifting story is good for the mind. Not only does Shawshank provide 142 minutes of escape, but it sends a message of hope to the viewer that they too can persevere through bad times.
The two lead characters, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) and Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman), meet in Shawshank Penitentiary. Andy is sent to prison for a double homicide he did not commit. Red has already spent twenty years of a life sentence in prison and has come to the conclusion that hope is a weakness that will break a man down. In time Red and Andy become friends.
Andy endures endless torment from other prisoners and the guards alike. Compared to Red, Andy’s existence was far more hopeless, yet he survived and even flourished in these conditions. In spite of constant physical and verbal abuse, Andy kept hope alive in his heart; a hope strong enough for more than just himself. By the end of the movie, Andy escapes prison and helps Red, who gets paroled, escape the prison of his own mind. They live happily ever after.
A Movie with Hope
Even though this is a Hollywood story and real life is never as neat and packaged as in film, the ideology can be transferred to real life. The road to persevering personal hardship in these tough economic times is going to be hard work. The times ahead may find people in positions they never dreamed they’d have to face. They cannot lose hope.
Like Andy, those who find themselves in dire circumstances must believe that with hope and a plan, even if it is only chipping away at a wall with a tiny rock hammer, that they can overcome adversity. To the people like Andy, be open to sharing your gift.
For those who are like Red, find an Andy for inspiration. Learn from their example. The man who drowns often does so within feet of finding the shore.
Action Sustains Hope
The second lesson from the Shawshank Redemption is about action. Hope and action go hand in hand. Andy worked on his wall for 19 years and in the mean time made improvements to his surroundings that benefitted not only himself, but the lives of everyone around him.
In the words of Leonardo da Vinci, “Iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation…even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind.” For those who feel hopeless, take action. The mind will respond. If desired outcomes do not happen immediately keep moving. Another famous quote, this one from Winston Churchill, states, “If you’re going through hell - keep going.” In other words; do not stop when times are bad to wallow in your circumstances, because that is where you will remain. The only way to endure is to keep moving in a positive direction.
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