The Prison by Bernard Malamud delves into Tommy’s sense of entrapment and his desire for freedom, as well as his regret and his yearning for a simpler, happier time. The story’s symbolism underscores these themes, highlighting Tommy’s struggles and internal conflicts. As he grapples with regret and seeks redemption, the story’s open-ended conclusion suggests the possibility of change and liberation. “The Prison” serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the human spirit’s resilience and its pursuit of a life unburdened by the past.

The Prison | Summary 

The story begins with an exclamation of how Tommy’s life is a “screaming bore” because of the feeling of being trapped in old mistakes. He is a young man who finds himself trapped in a monotonous and unfulfilling life at the age of twenty-nine. He’s disillusioned by his job at a candy store and the store itself, which he runs with his wife Rosa. Tommy’s past mistakes and missed opportunities have left him feeling trapped. He reflects on his former dreams and aspirations, particularly his desire to escape his impoverished neighborhood.

As a teenager, Tommy had associated with a group of friends who engaged in various illicit activities, including a robbery that went wrong. Although he was apprehended and his involvement hidden by influential individuals, Tommy’s life took a turn for the worse. His marriage to Rosa was arranged by his father and Rosa’s father, further adding to his sense of being trapped in his circumstances.

Tommy’s days revolve around the candy store, with his best moments being the quiet mornings when he can read the newspaper and contemplate escaping his life. However, his discontent grows as he becomes more disillusioned with his marriage, his job, and his unfulfilled dreams. One day, a ten-year-old girl comes in and asks for two rolls of colored tissue paper.  It irritates Tommy, but he gets her the tissues. The girl’s mother takes care of some small kids after school. Rosa had hung a mirror on the back wall and looking at it as he opened the drawer, he saw that the girl had been stealing candy bars and chocolates. He feels like pulling her up, but he doesn’t. The girl swipes the tissues for candy. Yet Tommy says nothing, thinking it does not really matter. 

He blames himself later for being too soft with her. One day, he keeps some loose change, nickels, and dimes on the candy plate, but the girl still takes the candy alone. Rosa asks him what he has been “mooning about”, but he does not answer. Thinking that he needs to make the stealing stop, he writes on a paper “Don’t do this or you’ll suffer your whole life”. He signs it as “your friend”. 

On Monday, however, the girl did not turn up. She never missed a day, but did not come that day. This upsets him; he thinks about Dom in prison, and he thinks about life. When he goes downstairs after his break, he sees a commotion. Rosa is shaking the girl, and she yells that she steals. Tommy tears her away from Rosa and slaps Rosa. The girl’s mother comes and asks what happened; Rosa says the girl stole, while Tommy says that he let her steal the candy. The girl said that she stole two candies, one for her mother. 

The Prison | Analysis

“The Prison” by Bernard Malamud delves into the theme of entrapment through the experiences of Tommy Castelli. Trapped in an unfulfilling marriage and a monotonous job at a candy store, Tommy’s sense of helplessness and regret permeate the narrative. The candy store serves as a symbol of his confinement, while his memories of happier times, particularly with his Uncle Dom, reflect his yearning for escape. The story underscores the control exerted over Tommy by others, especially Rosa and her father, which further deepens his emotional isolation. Through the motif of the hidden fifty-five dollars, the narrative explores the hope of liberation and the desire to break free from his stifling existence. The story’s open-ended conclusion suggests the potential for redemption and change, inviting readers to contemplate the complexities of personal freedom and the consequences of past choices.

The Prison | Theme

In Bernard Malamud’s “The Prison,” several themes emerge, including freedom, regret, connection, helplessness, control, escape, paralysis, and hope. Narrated in the third person, the story explores the feeling of entrapment that Tommy Castelli experiences. Tommy’s life is marked by a lack of freedom – he’s stuck in both his job at the candy store and in a loveless marriage with Rosa. Despite having left for Texas and returning, he finds himself powerless to avoid the marriage arranged by Rosa’s father, a decision that underscores his helplessness in the situation.

Regret is another significant theme in the story. Tommy fondly remembers simpler times when he was happy, particularly his memories of fishing with his Uncle Dom. These memories highlight his yearning for a time when life was less complicated. He wishes to reconnect with Dom as a way of recapturing that connection. The fifty-five dollars Tommy saves represents hope and an escape from his unhappy situation, which is symbolically emphasized by its repeated mention in the narrative.

Literary Devices 

1. Symbolism: Symbolism plays a crucial role in the story. The candy store itself symbolizes a prison, confining Tommy to a monotonous routine. The mirror Rosa hangs in the store is also significant, reflecting both the young girl’s candy theft and Tommy’s own past actions. This use of the mirror underscores how Tommy sees a reflection of himself in the girl’s actions.

The Prison | Character Sketch 

Tommy Castelli

The protagonist of the story, Tommy Castelli, is a young man trapped in a life he didn’t choose. He feels suffocated by his marriage to Rosa and his monotonous job at the candy store. Tommy’s past mistakes, including his involvement in a robbery, haunt him and contribute to his sense of regret and entrapment. Despite his yearning for freedom and his attempts at small rebellions, Tommy often feels helpless and lacks agency in his own life. His desire for redemption and his search for a way to escape his emotional prison form the core of his character arc.

Rosa

Tommy’s wife, Rosa, plays a significant role in his feelings of entrapment. She exerts control over their relationship and the candy store, leaving Tommy with little say in important matters. Though she is a presence in his life, their connection lacks emotional depth, and Tommy’s yearning for a more meaningful connection is palpable.

Uncle Dom

Tommy’s memories of his Uncle Dom provide a contrast to his current situation. Their time fishing together symbolizes a period of happiness and freedom in Tommy’s life. Uncle Dom represents a connection to the past, a time before Tommy’s mistakes and regrets weighed him down.

In conclusion, through the struggles of Tommy Castelli, the story illuminates the complexities of human emotions and the consequences of past decisions. Each character in “The Prison” contributes to the exploration of themes such as freedom, regret, connection, and control. Their interactions and dynamics provide insights into Tommy’s emotional journey and the impact of his past choices on his present circumstances.