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Dreams, Hopes and Plans
The filmmakers couldn't have made it any more obvious that this movie was about "hope" if they'd embroidered the word on the back of every one of the inmates' uniforms. It's mentioned numerous times, and in key scenes. Even if it wasn't stated so bluntly, Andy's story is clearly one of a man who has been knocked down, but is determined to get up again (please don't sue us, Chumbawamba). As for Red, it's finding a way to once again harness that sense of hope he long ago let slip away. For the warden, it's probably just the hope that Hell isn't too toasty, but we hear at least it's a dry heat.
Film critic Gene Siskel said that Shawshank reminded him of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, with both having themes of trying to maintain one's humanity and hope in the face of physical and psychological imprisonment. Thumbs up, Gene.
Andy unfairly planted his own idea of paradise into Red's head, not allowing him to come up with his own vision of unfettered freedom.
Brooks' only hope was that he would stay in Shawshank until he died. Removing him from Shawshank did the same thing to his spirit that imprisonment had done to all of the other inmates.
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