Title: Fish: A Boy in a Man’s Prison Date of Publication/ Publisher: August 31, 2007, Da Capo Press
Summary:
The book “Fish” was written by T.J Parsell is a memoir of how despite his young age he is sent to Prison. He and his family were not finically stable, causing him to hold up and armed robbery with a fake gun at a photo mat. Before, he is sent to jail he is sent to a psychologist who speaks to him and introduces the reality of the consequences he may soon be responsible for. The psychologist begins to ask him distraught and vulgar questions about Parsell’s sexually experiences and the experiences he shall face in jail. T.J is bombarded and interrogated with sketchy questions, which quickly begins to change the mood. This is a turning point within the book where T.J begins to realize the harsh decorum of rape within jail.
As, time moves on within the book Parsell’s perspective on prison rape begins to evolve from the beginning to the book. During his questioning he had vowed and explained that he would rather die than to be raped or to follow into the business of exchanging sexual intercourse for protection. However, as time progresses this ideal of trading sex for survival was accepted. Like many others in the society of prison had figured that to stay alive and not be targeted one must have a partner or “supporter”. So, Parsell had begun to provide sexually services for men in exchange for protection. However, he had not done it for pleasure for it was viewed more as a business choice. This shows how violence and pressure had forced him to loss his morals and what he had once fought for, his dignity. Later on within the book, he begins to like the attention that he is receiving in the prison. This no longer becomes a business transaction but a lifestyle. Towards the end of the book, Parsell is separated from his companion due to the fact that they are having sexual relations for personal reasons and not for protection. In the society of prison they do not allow you to be in a relationship. There is a biased if sex is exchanged for protection it is overlooked however if you are a “queer” or “faggot” then it must come to a stop.
Quote: “Getting rid of these baby attitudes, like how many the world is and how everybody is always hurting you. A lot of you guys use that stuff ad an excuse for your behavior-like it’s OK to act any way you want” (Parsell 90%).
Reaction: This quote explains the reality of prison that things will not go the way you want it. Not only this however, it reveals how that there is no moral justice within prison also. They, allow sexual business exchanges however can not tolerate relationships. This was in a way tough love from Ms. Bain. She had spoke the truth excuse will not get you anywhere in society, for the world is a harsh place especially when life is lived in prison.
