The worst of prison life, he thought, was not being able to close his door

The worst of prison life, he thought, was not being able to close his door

In Stendhal's novel, "The Red and the Black," the protagonist, Julien Sorel, finds himself imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. As he navigates the harsh realities of prison life, he reflects on the many challenges he faces, both physical and emotional. One of the most poignant moments in the novel comes when Julien laments the fact that he is unable to close his door.

For Julien, the inability to close his door symbolizes the loss of control and autonomy that comes with being incarcerated. In prison, every aspect of his life is dictated by others - from when he can eat and sleep, to who he can interact with and how he can spend his time. The open door serves as a constant reminder of his lack of freedom and the oppressive nature of his surroundings.

Furthermore, the open door exposes Julien to the constant noise and chaos of the prison environment. The sounds of other inmates shouting, fighting, and crying echo through the corridors, making it difficult for him to find peace and solitude. Without the ability to close his door, Julien is constantly bombarded with the harsh realities of prison life, further isolating him from the outside world and exacerbating his feelings of loneliness and despair.