I really like how they include McAlester enough in the book to ensure you remember where and why Tom can't get in trouble. I choose this topic because i feel like it's good to know the background information in whatever story you read and this isn't a big background story for the family but for our main character. It has a very different value to me just for the fact that it's prison and some of the websites show me why i should always think before i act no matter what the situation is or is turning out to become.
Here is McAlester Prison in the 1930's. you can see for how the times were that it is a pretty big prison compared to most other at that time in the U.S.
http://www.okolha.net/McAlester_prisoner_1921-1931.htm
http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/M/MC001.html
http://www.lasr.net/travel/city.php?OK+mcalester+oklahoma-prison-historical-museum&TravelTo=OK0106009&VA=Y&AttractionCategory=&Attraction_ID=OK0106009a004#.UHus_G8xrYQ
I wasn't expecting such a large and intimidating looking prison. I worked at North Central Correctional Institution and McAlester makes it look like a day spa.
ReplyDeleteI dont blaim Tom for not wanting to go back! It was nice to actually put a picture on what the prison looked like and to learn more about it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you my friend, learning and understanding the context of anything you read is key. So many times we can get ourselves into trouble when we don't first stop and learn the background information. Without such an understanding there is much confusion and misinterpretations. Thank you very much for your research and your words, good stuff!
ReplyDeleteThat’s a great point to talk about in detail. Of course nobody wants to go to prison but when you describe the prison and give a visual it really emphasizes the point. No wonder Tom does everything he can to avoid that place.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nick about the size of the prison. I was not expecting it to look like that. I definitely agree that this prison is an important part of the book and now knowing a little more about it, I definitely can understand why Tom, as well as the rest of his family, does not want him to go back.
ReplyDeleteThe size of the prison really surprised me. I was not expecting such a large place, but its nice to put a picture with the name. I can see why his family does not want Tom to go back, and I also like how the book mentions McAlester enough to remind us why Tom can't get in trouble.
ReplyDeleteI think that was very cleaver to do your research on the prison mentioned in the book. I think it makes it more real.
ReplyDeleteI like how you brought the book a little more to life with the prison. It defiantly looks like a stereotypical prison that you would imagine as a kid.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nick, that prison looks scary! I'm glad you were able to show us what McAlester looked like, very informational!
ReplyDeleteThat looks less like a prison and more like a castle. I would suppose that the inside wouldn't be so luxurious. I wonder why it is that straight men that shun homosexuality when put in a cell all of a sudden almost applaud it indirectly with their actions.
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