Largely philosophical, the article describes the author's feelings about being inside a prison and about teaching a course in literature to the inmates of that prison. The books taught in the course ('On the Beach,' 'One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich,' 'The Stranger,' 'Too Late the Phalarope,' and '1984') are briefly described, and inmates' reactions to the course and to each book are related. The author shows how such a course in literature can awaken a response in the inmates and allow them to explore their own feelings and lives. Three references and several photographs are included.