每日外闻7
A couple years ago, I visited a state prison, I’d never been to a prison before, and it was an eye-opening experience (令人大开眼界的经历).
The most memorable part was the discussion we had with some of the inmates (囚犯) about transitioning back into society. Although most were looking forward to leaving prison behind (离开监狱), some were clearly anxious about it. They told us they were scared to re-enter society after so many years behind bars (坐牢).
I couldn’t help but think about (我忍不住去想) that conversation when I was reading An American Marriage by Tayari Jones，although it’s fictional, the story is about the question at the heart of the anxiety I saw that day: how do you rebuild your life after prison?
Roy and Celestial are newlyweds living in Atlanta. They seemed to have it all (他们似乎拥有了一切): good careers, a decent house, and a lot of love for one another (although their marriage wasn’t perfect).
That all changes when Roy gets falsely accused of rape and sentenced to 12 years in prison. This event radically changes their lives. Author’s message is clear: Roy is innocent, Celestial knows it, and neither fact matters (事实都不重要了). He’s caught up in the system regardless.
What Jones is more interested in is how incarceration (监狱) changes relationships. About half of the book is letters exchanged (互相写信) between Roy and Celestial while he’s locked up. Although they start out sweetly, the letters become more tense as time goes on. Eventually, Celestial stops writing to Roy altogether (完全地). By the time he gets released from prison seven years early, she’s moved on.
“There’s this mythical notion that you’ll wait forever for the person you love.”
There’s this mythical notion that you’ll wait forever for the person you love. Penelope from the Odyssey (奥德赛-古希腊史诗) is the classic example—she fights off potential suitors (求婚者) for 20 years waiting for her husband, Odysseus, to return from war.
It’s a romantic idea, but is it realistic? Jones doesn’t seem to think so. We all like to imagine we’d be Penelope in that situation, but I suspect many would end up like Celestial instead. She writes to Roy, “You may feel like you’re carrying a burden, but I shoulder a load as well.” Later, she says, “A marriage is more than your heart, it’s your life. And we are not sharing ours.”(一场婚姻不止是两人的灵魂契合，更重要的是它是我们的生活，我们已不再分享我们彼此的生活了)
The fact that their marriage didn’t have a fairytale (童话般的) ending felt realistic. Roy’s unjust incarceration—and the separation it caused—pushed on the seams (裂痕，缝合处) that already existed in their relationship, and eventually those seams broke. Despite her decision to leave him, Celestial is a sympathetic character. You understand why she made her choice.
An American Marriage is fundamentally a story about how incarceration hurts more than just the person locked up. It’s also a reminder of how draconian (严厉的) our criminal justice system can be—especially for black men like Roy. Once you get sucked into (陷入) that system, you’re marked for life. Everything you were or had can disappear while you’re in prison.
In a letter to his lawyer, Roy writes about how things have been difficult for Celestial but even more difficult for him. “I try to see her side of things, but it’s hard to weep for anyone who is out in the world living their dream,” he says. (我想在她身边陪着她，一起陪着她度过那些困难的日子，但是这种可能只存在于梦境中)
Jones is such a good writer that you can’t help but empathize with Roy and Celestial. Both have been put into a super-difficult position. I obviously haven’t experienced what they go through, but the characters—and their reactions to the situation—ring true to me (对我来说就像是真的一样-听起来就像是真的).
I wouldn’t say An American Marriage is a light, easy read, but it’s so well-written that you’ll find yourself sucked into it despite the heavy subject matter. If you’re looking for something thought-provoking to read this winter, you should add this one to your list.
See you tommorow
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