Nader Ali Influence

Based on O’Brien’s biography, our surrounding’s can have a tremendous influence on who we are and who we become. Tony O’Brien has most likely faced a massive change in his attitude. He explains about the terror he felt from being captured and dragged into prison. However, O 'Brien meets Nader Ali, a Shiite Muslim who was a bookkeeper who changed his view of prison by treating O 'Brien like a brother. Because, of Nader Ali, the prison felt like Nader Ali’s home, and O’Brien was the guest. After three years, he came back to Kabul to thank Nader Ali for his kindness. O’Brien describes the apprehension of finding out if Nader Ali is still alive. Finally, O’Brien explains the joy of seeing Nader Ali alive and with his family.

O’Brien’s experience in jail is quite similar to that of 1994 American drama film The Shawshank Redemption, as shown in the picture above. The Shawshank Redemption centers on the story about a young banker named Andy Dufresne whose life had changed after being sentenced to Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murder of his wife and his lover, although he claims innocence. During his time in prison, he befriends Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding and tries to find a way to escape prison. Andy also renovates the prison library and works with Norton, the warden, for his money-laundering

There are parallels between The Shawshank Redemption and My Search for the friend I left behind. In Tony O’Brien’s description of prison, he described that “They jerked me to my feet, threw me against a wall, chained my hands to my back, pulling a blanket over my head, they dumped me into a car.” He explains his inner thoughts, as “I’m never going to see my mother again,” and “I won’t be able to endure torture.” The Shawshank Redemption describes prison through the many layers of isolation through the cell, the recreation yards, and the solitary confinement. The bars, strict rules, sadistic guards and predatory “sisters” strengthen the feeling of isolation within