The students in my writing classes read a piece about Malcolm X in prep for one of their essay assignments. It’s an excerpt that tells the story about how, when he was sent to prison, he read the dictionary. Literally. He read it from page one, memorized each word and everything about it, started on a new page each day and memorized those, adding the new words to what he now knew. There are great images of Malcolm X on the floor of his cell in the wee hours of morning, using the only sliver of light from outside his bars to get in the reading time he wanted desperately to rack up, so he could correspond intelligently someday with established Muslim thinkers.
Aside from teaching the students how to use sensory details, and how to tell of a learning experience in chronological order, the story has another interesting side effect. It got me to thinking about what I would do if ever in prison, or ever forced into a situation where I had an almost limitless amount of time to improve myself.
Would I learn harmonica, like in all the old jail movies? Would I train a bird? Probably not either of those “typical” jail-time preoccupations.
I would write, of course, adding those sentences to the sentence I was serving. But I’d also finish studying Arabic, I’d try desperately to read in French. I’d read more poetry. I’d study the literary Canon, filling in some of the huge potholes I’ve jumped over during my years of schooling.
And I’d probably read the dictionary cover to cover too.
How about you?
15 Responses to “Prison Sentence and uh…other kinds of sentences”
I’d learn an instrument. Probably violin.
I’d have time for that TBR pile that is teetering beside my bed.
I think I’d study latin (the smart people all seem to know latin).
And I’d practice my handwriting until it was all flowery and cute the way a girl’s handwriting should be.
Unlimited time and no worries about paying the bills? I’d read. Anything and everything. I might learn another language, or brush up on the ones I already know, but then again, if I’d never get out and have the chance to use them, what’d be the point? I’d draw. Knit little striped socks for my fellow inmates. Write. Whatever it took to keep my sanity, since I wouldn’t be having fun in there.
I think the flowery, cute handwriting is a lost cause in my case. I was never able to mimic the popular girls in middle school, I don’t think it would work even if I had a life sentence!
Hey Jennie/Bente - I vote for little striped socks! In fact, I’d even like a pair now. How fast, given your non-imprisoned status, do you think you could get those done?
I would write letters to everyone I know. Letter writing is a lost art. I would work in the library so I can spend my days reading every book on every shelf. I would learn a language - perhaps Chinese or Japanese.
At one point, I thought I’d be having back surgery that would keep me fairly housebound, if not bedridden, for eight weeks. I planned on spending the time reading the books my father gave me, almost all the books written by Steinbeck, Norhoff and Hall, and Nevil Shute. The surgery wasn’t needed (stupid doc scaring me), and sadly, I’ve only read two of the more than fifty in the bookcase.
by Kate Hathway
on November 12th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Dru - I agree with you about letters. I read letters written a hundred years ago and more, and I can’t believe how carefully and beautifully they’re written. I only do a Christmas letter once a year, really. I don’t know who I’d start writing to, though.
Kate, glad no surgery, but I kind of know how you feel regretting the bedridden time. I actually like being sick - really sick, enough so I can’t move around - so I can read and catch up with bad daytime TV! It gets old after a day or two, but I never seem to remember that.
Cathryn - that’s a great idea! I have a friend who is an organizer, who has helped people start to paint again or finish their graduate degree, just by re-organizing their time and getting them on a prioritized schedule.
Maybe she’d give us a group Good Girls discount?
I, for one, have started to listen to all the Pulitzer Prize-winning and nominated, and the Nat’l Book Award winners of the last 10 years on CD at the dayjob whenever I’m doing something mindless like data entry. It’s been taking a while to get through some of them, but I’m on book number four, and it’s only been about four months.
Any other suggestions for fitting these wishlist things into our schedules?
This is such a good idea. I’d learn to knit, really, instead of just knitting back and forth, back and forth, for miles. It’s hard to make a whole lot with that method.
Since I read about 300 books a year already, maybe I’d reread some series that I love, in order. And I think I’d read the Bible, and maybe the Koran, just to understand the teachings better. Growing up Catholic, we didn’t read very much of the Bible, unless it was part of our daily Mass (six days a week covered a LOT). Languages would be a great bonus.
Geez, sounds good. I’m half ready to commit a crime, just to get thrown into stir!
by Karen in Ohio
on November 12th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Now, now, Karen, don’t go and do anything rash! I have a friend whose son is studying Comparitive Religions right now. Maybe we all just need to be 20 again, with rich parents?
The History of Religion was my favorite class in high school, Regina. I was utterly fascinated at how and when religions were invented, and what they sprang up in response to. I’m sure the diocese didn’t intend for that class to make me view my own religion with such a jaded eye, but it did.
by Karen in Ohio
on November 12th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Chiming in late….
I’d read the library. Starting with A and working my way through Z. Sure, there’d be some books I’d pass on. But I tried to read the junior high library starting in sixth grade and I think it’s still a valid goal.
And I’d learn piano and flute.
And fall in love with the Knights Templer again.
by Lynn
on November 13th, 2009 at 7:00 am
Do they even have pianos in prison? If so, you and Cathryn can play a duet, Lynn!
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