  Let $X$ be a compact metric space and let $f:X\rightarrow X$ be a
homeomorphism on $X$. We show that if $f$ is both pointwise recurrent and
expansive, then the dynamical system $(X, f)$ is topologically conjugate to a
subshift of some symbolic system. Moreover, if $f$ is pointwise positively
recurrent, then the subshift is semisimple; a counterexample is given to show
the necessity of positive recurrence to ensure the semisimilicity.
