Essay Questions

What is the worst experience that happened to Carlotta in her entire life?

The worst tragedy in Carlotta's life was being sent to a men's prison after she was arrested and charged with a robbery with violence. Carlotta knows she is a woman, but the prison authorities ignored her plea to be put in a women's prison. While in the men's prison, Carlotta was raped by fellow inmates.

The issue of how transgender people should be treated in prisons is the elephant in the room in the novel. Most correctional facilities are categorized into two, male or female prisons. Therefore, there is no specific prison for transgender people anywhere in the world, including those countries that have widely accepted the LGBTQ community. As a result, prisoners such as Carlotta, who is transgender, end up in the wrong cells where they are sexually abused.

What is the irony of the prison authority?

When fellow inmates sexually abuse Carlotta in prison, she seeks assistance from prison authorities. Ironically, instead of getting help, prison warders rape Carlotta, leaving her more traumatized than ever. Carlotta's revelations of what happened to her during the 20 years she spent in the male prison are disheartening.