The Penal System
The most striking passages in the book, thematically speaking, are the harrowing descriptions of life within the American penal system in the 19th century. The whip becomes the symbol of bondage and slavery within the prison walls though mere beatings are perhaps the most mundane corporal punishments meted out. One striking revelation that many readers will stumble across is that waterboarding—or something very closely approaching it—hardly began with the US military’s “enhanced interrogation” practices under Pres. George W. Bush. Prison memoirs are by definition a type of muckraking as the view from inside shows what those on the outside do not even imagine and Reed’s book story becomes the first in a long line of such exposes stretching through I am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang to 21st century entries in the genre.
Systemic Recidivism
Reed’s indictment of the penal system’s physical abuse of prisoners inside the system is only half the story. A half that is indivisible from the other half the story. Men (or boys) like Reed go into the system and are tarnished forever. With the odds so stacked against them (and him) on the outside and the psychological conditioning that engenders anger, resentment and suspicion once released almost makes it a foregone conclusion that all but the luckiest will be right back inside and facing the physical assault on the inside once again. To term it a vicious cycle is to indulge in understatement. Reed’s innately defiant nature proves not only too tough to task, but actually becomes hardened and expanded by all efforts to beat such rebellion out of him physically and mentally.
The Best Revenge: Education
The best evidence that education as a measure of revenge against the system is a powerful theme running through the book is the text itself. Reeds constantly surprise and impresses with his literary talents and the great irony of his story is that he very likely would never have received the instruction required to become able to express himself at such an elevated level as he does had he not taken advantage of the education opportunities extended to him while in prison. The only real question at hand might be to wonder whether the payoff was worth the price he paid to earn it. Literary types would be prone to say yes; others perhaps might question this perspective.
