I visited San Quentin Prison, including some of the cell blocks, last spring. What an eye opener. Despite the inhumane conditions, some inmates are obtaining an education. Thanks for your work there and for bringing the view to our attention with this powerful piece, Chris.
Charlotte Phillips replied on Thu, 10/09/2008 - 11:45am
I disagree with Terry Clark's opinion about the preachiness of the story. I feel it is more a cautionary tale about the identity and freedoms given up when a person enters the correctional system. Naturally, I will now go search out Orwell's "A Hanging" and refine my opinion.
I've visited many prisons in New York State; the description of the room the class is held in easily brought to mind the conditions in "my" prisons.
The bit of didactic element seemed in keeping with the narrator's place in the story -- the only line that lost me for a bit was the one beginning "We sat for a moment . . . " It seemed a little out of keeping with a narrative that otherwise entered a place of visual images and clipped dialog.
Eudora Watson replied on Sun, 12/07/2008 - 10:11am
That was heartbreaking. A moment in time that will stick with me. I really liked the last paragraph.
A very troubling and moving story. Thanks for sharing it.
Your narrative gives your imprisoned students faces and names. Thank you for this work.
I visited San Quentin Prison, including some of the cell blocks, last spring. What an eye opener. Despite the inhumane conditions, some inmates are obtaining an education. Thanks for your work there and for bringing the view to our attention with this powerful piece, Chris.
It was a good read -- but I think it might be a little too preachy.
I disagree with Terry Clark's opinion about the preachiness of the story. I feel it is more a cautionary tale about the identity and freedoms given up when a person enters the correctional system. Naturally, I will now go search out Orwell's "A Hanging" and refine my opinion.
I've visited many prisons in New York State; the description of the room the class is held in easily brought to mind the conditions in "my" prisons.
The bit of didactic element seemed in keeping with the narrator's place in the story -- the only line that lost me for a bit was the one beginning "We sat for a moment . . . " It seemed a little out of keeping with a narrative that otherwise entered a place of visual images and clipped dialog.