Barry
Wu 11/14/11
Author: T.J. Parsell
Date of Publication: August 31, 2007
Publisher: Da Capo Press
Summary
The story of Fish revolves around T.J. Parsell, a young
teen that was taken into custody for robbing a photo mat with a toy gun. The autobiography
starts out with the account of the Parsell’s childhood and throughout the book
he states several scarring events that ultimately led to his present day
situation. Parsell had always had a connection with his brother named Ricky,
who guides Parsell through the early stages of his life. It would not be too farfetched
to state that Ricky was the cause of Parsell’s behavior and actions that led to
prison. The account of a inmate is something most people have seen on T.V. but
what most individuals don’t see, is the account of a homosexual male going
through prison. The story truly comes to life when inmate T.J. Much like high
school, Parsell was inclined to his feeling for other men, especially to a
young man named Scatter. Parsell was able to recognize in himself that he is
gay and is willing to show it his fellow inmates.
T.J. Parsell is shipped around several prisons, including
Michigan Reformatory or Gladiator School, Riverside Correctional Facility, and County
Jail. The process in itself is an unfair system with horrible employee’s who
don’t care for the inmates. When Parsell is finally settled, the story soon turns
to a battle for survival. Behind bars, inmates worry about ownership and
usefulness of an individual. Luckily for Parsell, he was able to find a kind
owner named Slide Step who spoiled Parsell with what little gifts they were
provided with at the store. A few inmates like Red, a dark skinned man, didn’t
care for his property and treated them like dirt. Parsell’s everyday life
became easier with an owner and lived without much worry; it was until later
that Parsell was told to be shipped off into Michigan Reformatory. Parsell had
to endure the cruel treatment from the inmates at Michigan Reformatory but was
eventually shipped back to Riverside. There he rejoined with Slide step and
later finished his sentence.
Quotation- “So far, I’d
gotten drunk, drugged, almost sliced to pieces by a jealous boyfriend, and sold
---or rather won, in a coin toss”(Parsell 96).
This quote was after the first sexual encounter that T.J.
Parsell had upon entering prison at Riverside. This scene depicted a horrible action
that took place behind the bars of prison. It seemed to be like a whole new
society that was the complete opposite of what the outside world had. The rules
of prison were simple if you were weak find something strong to be your owner,
if you were strong you would have to fight to get respect. Sadly for Parsell,
he was not a strong individual so he became a servant previously owned by a man
named Chet and later by a man named Slide Step. This quote show, just how cruel
the inmates could be and the events that would unfold. The lives of the inmates
mean nothing to each other; most people that aren’t getting out don’t care
about the law or others. This story opened my eyes to what really happens
behind bars, but truly this quote is the specific point where I question the
system of justice.
