Socrates Character Analysis

Prison is a site created to confine individuals who have been convicted of a crime. These people are under the jurisdiction of the government and must serve a sentence, in order to be forgiven by law. Once their sentence is finalized; they are freed, and may join the rest of society as autonomous people. I’m a firm believer that everyone deserves a second chance in life. We are all humans and we have no right to judge someone by their previous mistakes. Socrates Fortlow was once a murderer, but his past doesn’t define his character; his thoughts may be concerning, but his ambition to better himself, help others, and pay his debt to society speak highly about the kind of person he truly is.
Socrates’ thoughts are that of a killer, but his actions

His family members refused to take him in, and he has no friends that could help him out; except for old ex-cons that could barely take care of themselves. He was all on his own; forced to take abandoned old used furniture into his tiny, rusty apartment, and barely had enough money to get by. In addition, Socrates would sometimes gather cans and bottles he would collect from a few benevolent barmen, to make a few bucks. One unfortunate evening, though; Socrates was out selling his cans, when he realized, how poorly all his fellow civilians and himself were being treated by their buyer. Compelled to wait long hours in line to sell their recycled goods. Socrates then asked himself; ‘’ why the hell did he have to wait for hours? Who were they in that supermarket to make full-grown men and women wait like they were children?” (Mosley, 73). Incidentally, Socrates also shows ambition to get a job and ends up having to deal with discrimination and fight for his rights as a human being. He made sure to let Anton Crier and his manager at Bounty Supermarket, know he was well aware of the law. “Askin’ me my age. That’s against the law. You cain’t discriminate against color or sex or religión or infirmity or against age. That’s the law.” (Mosley, 64). Ultimately, after achieving his goal, Socrates displays himself as a hard worker, and he doesn’t let his old age or tiredness get in the way

He has taught various people some valuable lessons. Some examples include; acknowledging your neighbors and awarding them with something as mundane as a glare or a simple smile would make their day; as he did with Ralphie. Likewise, he shows Anton Crier and Halley Grimes not to discriminate against others. Socrates states to his good friend Stony Wile; “I told’er that I’d be back on Monday and that I expected some kinda fair treatment.” (Mosley, 72); when storytelling to his friend about his fighting for his rights to work. Socrates also finds young Darryl a new home to protect him and give him a better chance at life. Luvia was hesitant to ask the MacDaniels at first but Socrates and Right Burke convinced her with these compelling words; “It’s another school for him, Miss Prine. And they way over there near Hauser an’ Venice. Darryl’d have a chance over there. You know a boy tryin’ deserves a chance.” (Mosley,