1984 Socratic Seminar Prep #4

Summary:
Winston is experiencing what it's like to be in prison. He experiences himself interacting and observing other criminals and putting into thought why political criminals get more punishment rather than regular criminals. He gets to analyze his experience in the jail cell and analyze his visit of jail.

Questions: (6 level twos)
1. Do you think that the description of the prison corresponds with the mental state of the society?
-Yes I do believe that the description of the prison, as it's described as being white walls with no windows and a high ceiling, just as the society is very closed in as well. It is also significant that the place he is in is called the ministry of love when no love is actually living in it. (Logos)
2. Why do you think that the worst punishments were given to political prisoners rather than regular criminals?
- I personally believe that worst punishments were given to policies prisoners rather than regular criminals because the government assumes that the policies people are indefinitely on their side, so when the political people betray them, they are more likely to give them worse punishments because they know the law and expectations better than anyone in their society. (Logos)
3. Why do you think that Parsons is proud of their daughter snitching on him, even though the daughter just turned her own parent in?
- Because society is so brainwashed, even your own child can turn you in in this society and you'll be proud of them doing their duty to the party. Even though Parsons child turned them in, it is their duty to do so, so it was a proud moment for him, for that his daughter displayed loyalty to the party, which mattered to them.(Ethos)
4. Do you also believe that nothing is worse than physical pain?
- No, I definitely don't believe that. The worse pain is somebody or something getting inside of your head and manipulating you and changing your thought process. When Winston stated that physical pain was worse than any other pain, he is blind to his life because his painful life is more mental pain than anything. Constant reminders of control, and the telescreens to watch you, it's mentally draining and mentally restraining and he doesn't even know it's own effect on him. (Ethos)
5. Do you think that the people who tortured that man with him in the cell, which of whom would be nice to him and treat him as an equal, and then he would switch up real quick and torture him, symbolize the man that owned the antique shop?
- In a way, it does. The way it does symbolize the man at the antique shop is that he and Winston were cool and he thought he could trust him and treat him as an equal, but he turned around and was the thought police. This society they live in is sleazy, and there are a lot of fake friends so just as Winston  presumed in the beginning, you can't trust anyone. Winston in a way is the man that is tortured, in the way of his mind and that he is different from many, and the person who is torturing him who he thought was his equal friend, betrayed him in that he gave him a room with a telescreen when he claimed there wasn't one at all. (Logos)

Level (3) Questions:

1. If you already grew up in a society of Dystopia, would you be equally affected of the changes if you hadn’t ever experienced life now-a-days?

- I believe that if I didn’t experience modern times and if I just grew up in Dystopia, I wouldn’t think much of it, I would just perceive it as normal life, just  as you would. Coming from a rational point of view, if you grew up in a certain time period then you wouldn’t question it because that is all you have ever known life to be, so why would you think of it any differently? It all depends on what you are used to and what environment you were raised in. (Ethos)

2. If someone were monitoring your thoughts do you believe that you would be able to keep them under control?

- Personally, no. Growing up in America, a society that lets you speak your mind, to an extent, has created this being that doesn't have a filter on my mouth when I have an opinion or idea. How would I be able to communicate my ideas, changes, to help people? I wouldn’t, thats the whole point of Dystopia, that you can't express those beliefs, I would not be able to live in a Dystopian society, but if it was all I have ever known I would probably to able to. (Ethos)

3. Imagine that Dystopian societies were unheard of. Imagine you have a cousin that claims that they live in one, would you believe them if they told you all about it?

- If I had a cousin that lived in a Dystopian society I would not believe him/her if they told me about day to day life in one. Once again, growing up in America allows me to express myself whether its through words, visuals, or maybe even clothes, so hearing of a Dystopian society would be unimaginable. (Ethos)

Part III: Quotes:

"Do anything to me!" he yelled. "You've been starving me for weeks. Finish it off and let me die. Shoot me. Hang me. Sentence me to twenty-five years. Is there somebody else you want me to give away? Just say who it is and I’ll tell you anything you want. I don't care who it is or what you do to them. I've got a wife and three children. The biggest of them isn't six years old. You can take the whole lot of them and cut their throats in front of my eyes, and I'll stand by and watch it. But not Room 101!" (3.1.71, the old tortured man at the Ministry of Love)

"It was my little daughter," said Parsons with a sort of doleful pride. "She listened at the keyhole. Heard what I was saying, and nipped off to the patrols the very next day. Pretty smart for a nipper of seven, eh? I don't bear her any grudge for it. In fact I'm proud of her. It shows I brought her up in the right spirit, anyway." (3.1.48-50)

Socratic Seminar Reflection #3

     The seminar never fails to bring something new to the table, but overall people in the seminar had similar, if not the same, ideas about the book that I also have. About Winston and Julia having a relationship built off of a common interest (rebellion), is one idea that really stuck through throughout the whole seminar as a whole that he only fell for her so hard because he felt a sense of rebellion from her, which the whole group I was in agreed on as well. Nothing in particular was really said to have me think in more depth about the book. Of course there were a few "ooh" and "aaah" moments, but nothing in particular stuck to my mind and really left me pondering.
     One statement that I agreed with the most among my peers was, as said above, that Julia and Winstons "love" is based solely off of rebellion and lust rather than truly falling for someone, they only fell for each other because they were the only people they could fall for. There wasn't a statement that I disagreed with the least, everyone is entitled to their own opinion so if there was reasoning behind whatever my peers said, it was considered a far opinion.
     What really worked for the seminar is the fact that everyone worked together to consider other peoples opinions and also adding on to what other people said. What also worked well for the seminar is that there was also disagreements that caused debates and tension and also made the seminar interesting.
      What needs improvement is not being redundant, and for it to flow better. Even though we can listen, we lack fluidity. Sometimes we have fluidity and sometimes we don't, its not as consistent as it needs to be. I expect the seminars to improve every time we have one, as it always does.

Socratic Seminar Reflection #2

    In the second Socratic Seminar, as always it influences me to think of certain aspects in a different way. But honestly, the Socratic seminar was redundant throughout the whole second part with my group so the ideas that were being tossed out I was already aware of before hand. I honestly don't have anything that stuck out to me that would have me think so much in depth about.
    A statement with my peers that I agree with the most is that Windton is forming a rebellion internally and he is becoming more aware of his thoughts and the power behind them. A statement that I agree with the least is the one that there is no telescreen in the room in the antique shop. I honestly believe there is because why wouldn't there be? Maybe The guy at the antique shop is purposely there to lure in people, maybe he is the thought police in disguise as an ordinary man. If I had the opportunity to say anything I would say that I believe that there is a telescreen somewhere in the room in the antique shop.
      What worked well for the seminar is how nobody really overpowered anyone and among our peers we gave respectful opinions and it flowed well. I personally appreciated my partner that I observed because even though she didn't have her prep sheet she still participated in it, which shows that the seminar talked about things that had reasoning and lured you in with logical,ethical, and emotional appeals.
      What needs improvement is keeping on track because we tend to get off subject or go too in depth which causes us to lose focus and not really ask the cumulating question that is being asked.

Othello Dramatic Reading Video

    The silioloquy I chose to do my dramatic reading on is one where Iago is talking to the audience explaining hi a potential plan toward Othello. In the video, I chose to pause and then project my voice at the part "I hate the Moor" to strategically show that Iago is showing emotion or passion toward his hatred for the Moor, which shows intensity and is evidence of how genuine his feelings are. Another part that I slowed down on and made my voice a little bit higher is the part "How? How?" To show that Iago is pondering aloud, and is telling his plan so he's also thinking out loud. At the end I slowed down to show that the plan is being accepted and consumed into the audience and Iagos mind.
     By becoming the character for a short period of time I have been put into his shoes. By him being the antagonist I felt a sense of malevolence, feeling as though I was actually bout to complete the plan myself. His character is very expressive and manipulative in the way he does things so I learned that while reciting his lines in the play to get in the jist of how the character would actually feel. I understood the play as a whole because Iagos part plays such a big role I felt as though I had significance and that I was powerful while completing the silioloquy.
      The impact of this particular silioloquy was significant because it revealed the antagonists plan toward the main character, Othello. Since Iago drives the plot, this portion of the play drives it also by revealing his plan that actually drives the plot. My soliloquy definitely further complicated the conflict because it was the actual plan that would drive the plot forward. It also reveals characterization to show that Iago is indeed manipulative and has bad motives, and in this excerpt he is surely aware of his intentions and what he is going to do.

Socratic Seminar Final Reflection 1984 #1

     The Socratic Seminar that was based off of book one of 1984, influenced me to think of 1984 in a more futuristic perspective of someone who thought of the future as a controlling place with no choices. One thing that was said that had me thinking more in depth about it is the fact that children were basically brainwashed to rebel against their parents, which also correlate to technology because we choose technology instead of communication with our parents sometimes. But also, it is offensive that people in the old days projected the years of 1984 to be controlling and monitored.
      The opinion that I agreed with the most among my peers is that the diary is a form of rebellion even though the main character isn't even aware of it yet. The whole concept of the the diary is a representation of Winston's thoughts and when he realizes that others have ideas too they'll eventually rebel against the government. So in a way, this is power and individuality in itself. I said everything that I wanted to say in the seminar.
       What really worked well for the seminar is the fact that everyone built off of everyone's ideas and it flowed very well. Also, everyone made relevant contributions and no one was overpowering over anyone else, so it was a seminar of mutual respect and mutual contribution to the seminar.
        What needs improvement is nothing really, I thought the questions and the answers and the concepts contributed we're pretty good and relevant, so nothing was bad enough that was noticeable to be drastically improved.

Title Justification Paper #3

    The title for part three, which is "Paths Taken and Expectations Fulfilled", the author strategically uses this title to represent the happening in chapters 7 and 8.
     In these two chapters, both Wes Moores strive to create a better lifestyle for themselves. Wes Moore number one succeeds at his job in the military and by doing so, he excels in education and graduates at the top of his class, which in the title justifies the part of "expectations fulfilled", for that his expectations were high and he succeeded at doing so. On the other hand, the "paths taken" refer to the oaths taken by Wes Moore number two, which of whom chooses to rob a bank with his brother, and after getting his GED, goes back down the path of drug dealing rather than going into a more positive direction to improve himself. In conclusion, Wes Moore number ones path led him to make his best selling book, and Wes Moore number two is stuck in prison serving time for the choice he has made.
       With their stories leading up to this, Wes Moore has created a phenomenal book about life experiences and choices made that influence what we do, what were taught to do, and our motives as we go throughout our lives. Also, his book goes to show that people from the same background can have two different outcomes, which solely depends on the choices you make throughout this long and tedious journey.

Chapter 7

"..but my mother used it as a hook into a deeper lesson: that the written word isn't nessesarily a chore but can be a window into new worlds." (page 131)
- In this quote, which themes being tracked is the importance of education, Wes explains how reading isn't merely a punishment, it's a benefit because one is exposed to a new world. The author wants the reader to understand the impact that education had on Wes's life, because it led him to become successful and relate to other people's stories as well. People in A similar life situation as Wes, should have access to the benefit of education, for it will lead them to a better life and be more educated about the outside world. Reading can enhance a lifestyle, taking it back to the old days when slaves couldn't read but masters could it made them superior, that is still intact being that those who read are more well rounded and aware of the outside world and those who don't aren't as educated,  so reading is a also leading into a new world along with a new lifestyle.

"..but he didn't speak to my experience as well as Colin Powell did. Powell, in his pragmatic way, wanted what I wanted: A fair shot. A place to develop himself." (page 132)
- This quote is a good example of parallel biographies because Wes looks at Powells story as relating to himself and he takes into account his personal happenings to relate to his and get him through his own struggles and manage success as well. The author includes this biography to show that Wes had a successful figure to look up to, of which he also made it through his hard time which causes Wes to strive for success as well and relate to him. Most people that feel inferior would also want a fair shot, so this also relates to the minorities in this time, who only want a chance to be superior and show their strengths and abilities. It relates to a greater picture of life, of equality, and that this is all this young boy wants, is a chance.

"As I started to think seriously about how I could become the person I wanted to be, I looked around at some of the people who'd had the biggest impact on my life. Aside from family and friends, the men I most trusted all had something in common: they all wore the uniform of the United States of America." (page 132)
- As Wes goes through military school, he changes in a way that he is more reaponsible, disiplined, and shows signifigant qualities of a man. The Role Models he refer to are military officials which form him into what he is, which successfully makes him into the person he wants to be. The author wants us to conclude that he added this to show his formation of a man, and his own perspective of his changes and who he now looks up to.

"His love for her and their kids kept him from seeing the truth that now stared him in the face. Cheryl was an addict" (page 137-138) and "And it pained him to realize that the mother of his children was just like them.) (page 138)
- Drugs were always a prominent component in Wes's downfall in his life and him seeing drugs in what he loves most gives him the red flag to terminate it all, all of the drugs, the system, everything, for he desires a better life. The author wants the reader to take from this that because the drugs were effecting more than just Wes, but the mother of his kids, he realized there was a time for a change because it went too far. This is a driving force for him to Change and get his GED.

"They believed the secret to their second lives hid on the sleepy Howard County, Maryland, Campus of Job Corps."
- While Wes was looking for clarity and supervision on the streets, he realized the importance of education. Getting his education was really the answer to all of his problems in his life, for it opened doors for him and provided him with rational and steady jobs, unlike drug dealing. The author wants us to conclude in this quote that education is the key for success and not drugs, which Wes was doing all of his life.

Title Justification Paper #2

     In Chapters 4-6 the title of part two, choices and second chances is appropriate because of certain events that take place such as in chapter 6, Wes #1 makes choices that led to big consequences and life changes, while Wes #2 has a second chance to turn his life around even though he's messed up plenty of times.
      Choices and Second chances is an appropriate title for the series of events that have happened in these chapters, but two of which enhance his whole theme for part two of the book. With Wes having the incident where the cop catches him selling drugs and goes back and sells them to him is his choice and merely could've been avoided but these choices of him got him into trouble and into jail. But Wes, being so used to being arrested, didn't think much of it, except that he was "annoyed". While Wes Two is in  a re formative camp, his back straightens, he's accustomed to respect and he's becoming a new person and leading those in a right direction which gives him a second  chance.
       Choices and Second Chances both relate to the life of a person, as they make mistakes and have chances to redeem themselves, while others don't which aligns with the authors purpose that choices and second chances do make a big impact on what path you go down, for those seemingly small choices could be the difference between life or death, or success and failure.

Chapter 6

"...were the corner boys. These were the kids, sometimes as young as seven but normally no older than eleven, who served as the lookouts for cops." (page 111)
- This quote goes to show that drug dealers have a system and mentoring comes into okay when those are initiated at a young age. This will show that since they are starting young, Wes looks at him just as he once was referring to them as the "corner boys", as he used to be. The author uses this quote to convey that mentoring in a similar situation creates a similar person as Wes was... and the cycle continues.

"He couldn't stop thinking about the money he could make off that sale--almost exactly enough to take care of this date. The logic felt right." (page 113)
- This quote is an excellent representation of Fate or Free Will in this book and in this case it is evidently Free Will. Wes takes it upon hisself to turn around and go back to the cop to get a little bit more money, which is his choice and causes him to get arrested. The author wanted to show that the choices we make are sometimes not destined, and just happen because of choices one makes while living in the moment for temporary pleasures.

"He liked the feeling of holding down a corner with his boys. It was the one place he felt safe, or at least in his element." (page 112)
- In this quote the theme of mentoring comes in to play because Wes looking up to these people and being surrounded by these people constantly, effects him and his persona, which causes him to feel a sense of belonging as though they are family. The author wanted us to feel that Wes felt a sense of belonging to his gang members in a way that a family would and he felt at peace just like a family would but instead he is with his gang members.

"Wes wasn't shocked or afraid anymore, just annoyed." (page 114)
- Crime was normal for Wes now since he has gotten used to the feeling of it and been through the motions many times, but only now he is annoyed with the routine. The author Wes Moore wants to get accross that since crime was routine to him now it didn't have much effect, but I'm sure that it will later because it will have much more impact on him.

"Three years ago I'd been one of the insubordinate kids first entering the gates of Valley Forge. In an ironic turn, I was now one of the ones in charge of them." (page 115)
- In this quote I believe that the author wanted to add the fact/feeling of him transitioning from somebody who was being trained to an authority figure. When he first started out he wanted to go home within the first four days but now he over came those obstacles of feeling out of place and got used to being uniform and set straight which will create a turning point in his life.

Wes Moore #2 Characterization Sonnet

Grew up, Wes Moore in thy city in which few rarely made it out,
Little knowingly, of roots, and thy background,
Knowing not, and absence of thy father, thou walked out,
Led by his life, thy wrong intentions is what thy found. 
Operating, unknowingly, as a boy, to be thy man,
Reaching toward, thou older peers for father figure and guidance,
Being thou statistic whereof wasn't thy plan,
Inevitable in thy fate to find his destiny, some had to do with thou province.
Selling herbs, knowingly, became the normal when thy moved,
On thy street, crackheads whereof formed the norm,
Interactions usward the streets showed,
A form, of thy statistic for a black man would be form.
Growing up in thy similar areas in which thou contained similar circumstances,
Shows only that outcomes only depend on how thy one chooses to dances.

Wes Moore #1 Characterization Sonnet

Grew up, Wes Moore in thy city in which few rarely made it out,
Knowing a lot about thy heritage and thy background,
Respect for thy sisters helped Wes out,
Set out to stand thy ground,  on thy own, a young boy, without sound.
Father dying before thou formative years,
Behaving with thy responsibility,
Hince, his own actions, bringing thy forthwith to tears,
Undermining his own ability.
School, a prideful one, couldn't keep where against his neighborhood,
Where into greed was given, by his peers, because of thou excelling,
Were intentions, thou were good,
Were intentions, thou were good, actions yonside, nowise propeling.
Struggled howbiet with many thou face,
Winning, however, a statistical race.

Chapter 5

"I was either really brave or really stupid, and he was not going to wait around to see which" (page 86)
- Life choices can be a significant factor while choosing the path of either success or failure. Wes's life choices, both of them, led to either their success or failure.  Being human, Wes takes chances and makes mistakes, and all of these make us who we are, but some mistakes and chances they take are completely intentional and consequential. While most people take chances, they think of the conquenses right away, and like Wes says, "I was either really brave or really stupid," he was aware, like we all are aware, of all of the possible consequences which causes him to do the action anyway. This life choice could either cost him his future, or not, and he was willing to take that chance. The author wanted to get across that his life choices really did make a difference on the outcome of his life.

"Bad grades, absence from classes, and an incident with a smoke bomb were just some of the reasons he rattled off as my mother sat silently on the couch with the phone to her ear." (Page 87)
- In this quote I am tracking the theme of single mothers and life choices. Both fall hand in hand in this quote because being a single mother and trying to raise your son is difficult when life choices get in the way, and your intentions are not executed it's disappointing. Being a young black male, society automatically labels you as inferior, so Wes, running around acting like a stereotypical young black male, is just adding to the statistic that black people no longer want to have. Being a mother, you only want the best for your child so seeing them do bad things is not pleasing to the eye. The author wanted to make it clear that these choices led to his downfall and his mothers dissapointment.

"I had never wanted anything more in my life than to leave that school, and I was slowly coming to he realization that it was not going to happen." (Page 93)
- In this quote I am tracking the theme of Prison. Even though the military school that Wes is going to isn't a prison, it is a metaphorical prison for his mind and conscience. This 'Prison' is going to be like a real one, with people around him that are similar and there for a reason, The author added this state of mind of him and physical discomfort in the story to show that constructive conformity is necessary  for change. The author added this part of his life in the story to show that even though he felt as though he was in a prison and he wanted more than anything to get out it turned into a beautiful thing and he got used to the uniform way of life.

"These forks in the road can happen so fast for young boys; within months or even weeks, their journeys can take a decisive and possible irrevocable turn. With no intervention--or the wrong intervention---they can be lost forever." (Page 95)
- In this quote I am tracking the theme of life choices. In this quote it states that certain choices have second chances and most choices can not be changed or turned around, and most boys make choices that are unchangeable and effect their life in the long run. Just like certain boys are drug dealers, they are caught in that situation and that was their choice and now they can't get out. Some men are stuck in the drug dealing business for a long time, because, just like the quote said they made a "decisive and possible irrevocable turn." Which can't be reversed and "they can be lost forever." The author Wes Moore included this quote to make a statement that certain situations are not changeable, just like him and the other Wes have also made.

"I had never seen a man, a peer demand that much respect from his people. I had seen Shea demand respect in the neighborhood, but this was different. This was real respect, the kind you can't beat or scare out of people." (Page 96)
- In this quote I am tracking the theme of role models. With Wes growing up looking up to these false role models, he looks at real respect in a different way that even though he doesn't say it, he infers that this respect is different from any other respect he has witnessed and he desires to have the same. When boys like this grow up without father figures they tend to have false father figures, which are their peers. They either meet these people through drug dealing, or maybe even good influences like doctors and lawyers, but whoever they look up to is what they know and what they strive to be, so with Wes looking up to a military official, he is going in the right path to be formed into a man. The author did a good job with adding his thoughts toward this man because it goes to show that even though he grew up with different role models, someone respected and intelligent is what he really strived to be.

Chapter 4

"One inmate, a young man seemingly in his early twenties, sat across from a woman with a baby squirming in her arms--he was apparently meeting his own child for the first time" (page 65)
- The theme I am tracking in this quote is absent fathers. Even though this inmate is meeting his baby boy for the first time while he is in jail shows that the child has grown up without a father in his life in his most formative years to come which will effect his raising, for he will not have a father figure. A similar situation that can' relate to this is teenage pregnancy. With teenage girls being pregnant by this drug dealers, while the fathers are in jail it hinders their child from getting to grow up with a father, which obviously the guy in this jail was experiencing as well. The author adds this part to show that all around him there are similar, if not worse, situations happening with the same cycle of absent fathers.

"There was no official ceremony that brought my childhood to an end. Instead, crises or other circumstances presented me with adult-sized responsibilities and obligations that I had to meet one way or another." (Page 66)
- In this quote I am tracking the theme of  the importance of life choices. The life choices here boys have made will determine their paths and their transition into adulthood with responsibilities, which ties into the whole entirety of the plot being that their choices led them to two different fates. Most men that go through the cycle of drug dealing and fitting in, experience the loss of childhood early because they go on to take on bigger jobs that handle money which requires them to act older than they actually are. Moore includes this quote to show his mindset throughout the drug dealing process, that he lost his childhood, but he essentially had to do it to handle a bigger picture.

"Tony found his younger brother and asked for an explanation for the leaning tower of Nikes" (page 69)
- Drug dealing and role models are significant in this quote because it is the reason for the, "leaning tower of Nikes." Wes's brother, Tony recognizes the explosion of money because he too has been in this situation too. Since Tony was Wes's role model he looks up to him and sees him so he tends to behave the same and take part in similar actions such as drug dealing, baby mothers, and more. The author includes this part when Tony walks in on Wes's evident money pile in the purchasing of Nikes to show that his own Role Model, ironically enough, is disappointed in what he influenced.

"Wes knew he was disappointing his brother, which hurt much more than the beating he'd just taken... Tony was the closest thing Wes had to a role model" (page 72)
- In this quote I am tracking the theme of Role Models. Since Wes grew up with his brother and without a father, his only male figure to look up to is his brother.. Which since Tony went down the wrong path, so will Wes because that's all he knows. He disappointed his brother and it meant so much to him because he didn't want to because he wanted to be just like him. Adolescence in this generation tend to act like their peers, whether it's wrong or right, and often times lead down the wrong path. We want to be like those who are successful in our eyes, even if we know that's not the way we perceive success. The author includes that Wes knew he was disappointing his brother to show that he couldn't help he was this way, he felt it was inevitable in his situation to turn out this way.

"Putting all of us in danger because of your stupidity. I don't want to hear your sob story about how much money you owe" (page 74)
- When a drug dealer keeps his supplies in his household it puts the family and friends of the drug dealer in danger. The theme I am tracking is single mothers and drugs. With Wes's mother doing the best she can to raise him, she won't tolerate disrespectful things in her household and risking all of what she sacrificed for a couple of dollars. Just like any other logical family, they don't not wish to sacrifice all they have worked for for somebody else's stupidity.

Title Justification Paper #1

     The title of the collection of  chapters is appropriate fitting with the author purpose of the book. The title of the collection of chapters is "Fathers and Angels". It fits the section of the books because it refers to the absence of fathers, and angels, being the mothers that act as the guardian angels. This section of the book is important because it tells how it effects both of the Wes's lives.
     In the chapters, they talk of both of the Wes's childhoods and their hardships. While talking about their hardships and struggles they give background to their actions  and their raising.  The absence of fathers forces the two young boys to look toward friends, which commonly are not great influences, for acceptance and male figures. While angels would refer to their mothers in which they always looked over there and helped guide them even if it was by themselves. This section, "Fathers and Angels" is important to the overall important to the book because it shows how their early years were the years that were formative and laid a foundation to their lives and beliefs.
     The first three chapters, which makes up the first part of the book, are relevant in showing the raising of both of the Wes's and shows differences in their raising which makes them and their fates different, which contributes to the overall concept of the book that their raising either laid a good or bad foundation on their future.

Chapter 3

"But no matter how much the world around us seemed ready to crumble my mother was determined to see us through it" (page 47)
- The theme I am tracking in this quote is the theme of the single mother. Even though Wes's mother is a single one, she still makes way for her kids by working multiple jobs and being a freelance writer for magazines; whatever she could do to help sustain her family.

"When my mom visited the school again as an adult, she was immediately convinced that this was where she wanted my sister and me to go" (page 48)
- The themes I am tracking are single mothers and the importance of education. With Wes's mother being a single mother and concerned about her children's education makes it all the more comforting to know she wants the best for her kids in a city like the one they live in and she won't settle for her children being a statistic, saying this, she puts them in the best school possible.

"Ozzie shook his head in disbelief. 'If dude wanted to buy some rock, he should have just said it. Who the hell was he gonna call if we gave him some change?' We all laughed as the pan holder staggered back up the block to look for sympathy elsewhere" (page 50)
- The theme that I am tracking in this quote is drugs. These boys walk around the block and encounter these crack heads and it's normal to them! That is sad! And they laugh about it! I guess that  is just how it was at that point in life. But this is a theme because it is very normal is Wes's life's and in his neighborhood.

"Always keep your money in your front pocket, never in your back pocket." (Page 51)
- In this quote, Justin gives Wes advice about the streets. In this quote I am tracking the theme of crime. Crime is obviously a problem when advice is given of how to handle your money and to watch yourself when you walk out the streets.

"I tried to hide the fact that my family was so much poorer than everyone else's at school. Every week I sat down to create a schedule for my clothes." (Page 52)
- In this quote Wes explains how he had to alternate his clothes in order to keep up an image up at his more wealthy private school. In this quote I am tracking the theme of poverty. Even though Wes's family isn't in poverty, they aren't in an exactly stable position.

Chapter 2

"To Wes, Tony was a 'certified gangsta." (page 27)
- The theme I am tracking in this quote is role models. With Wes thinking that Tony was a "certified gangsta" had the impression that he looked up to him, as a gangsta, which obviously isn't a good thing. With him looking up to him in this way, has the assumption that he wants to be this way too.

"Mary shuddered every time she left the house and was plotting her escape from Cherry Hill almost as soon as she got there." (page 29)
- The theme I am tracking in this quote is the desire to be greater than where you came from. With Mary dreading being where she is from, shows that she desires more than what Cherry Hill, aka the hood, has to offer; so she yearns for something greater.

"Wes didn't act up in class, which kept him under the radar; his teachers spent 90 percent of their time dealing with the 5 percent of kids who did." (page 30)
- The theme I am tracking in this quote is the importance of education. With Wes's teachers focusing on a small amount of kids who misbehaved showed how off task they were during a child's education time which prevents them from learning. This effected Wes in the long run even though he was often bored in class because he was smarter he was still getting a cut down from education  he could've been having.

"White Boy would just shrug and say, 'its not my fault. I was born this way." (page 31)
- The theme I am tracking in this quote is family and where he came from. With him being in a place surrounded by black people with no friends like himself he is considered black, which is a stereotype in this region that since he behaved in thuggish ways he was considered "black." This shows that where you live and where you come from can mold you into your surroundings.

"He could have fought back on the spot and settled it. But when Wes had looked into the other boy's eyes, he knew that he had to send a message." (page 32)
- The theme I am tracking in this quote is overcoming obstacles and life experiences that mold you into what makes you. With Wes running from the fight instead of boxing it out with the kid, it shows a step of maturity, for little boys would fight instead of a growing man. He shows that his own betterment is more important than his pride and his appearance to other people.

Chapter 1

"We sat there, just a few feet from each other, both silent, pondering an absence." (page 4)
- The theme I am tracking in this quote is the importance of the absence of a father. As both of the Wes's sit in silence, they ponder about the impact their fathers had on their lives. One of the Wes's state that their absences are different because one of the Wes's are mourning because their father died, and the other ones father wasn't there because he didn't want to be there.

"but with a gentle laugh, reminded her that cursing at a young boy wasn't the most effective way of making a point." (page 6)
- The theme I am tracking in this quote is learning from experiences. In this part of the book Wes's mother was livid about Wes hitting his sister Nikki, which from personal experiences she learned wasn't a path she wanted her son to go down. But while exclaiming that he is wrong for hitting him, she curses which contradicts the lesson she is trying to teach, for she is still teaching him something (cursing) that isn't a good trait to accommodate.

"'revenge will not be sought,'' ... "Watende sounded too big, too complicated for such a tiny baby. It wasn't until later in life that she understood why it was so important to my father that Watende be a part of me." (page 7)
- The theme I am tracking in this quote is the family. With Wes's family giving Wes a name with much meaning, it shows the morals that Wes's family carry throughout their family. With Wes growing up and better understanding his name and its meaning, he applies it to his life and wears it as a badge of his being.

"If you try that shit again, I will kill you" ... "My mom vowed to never let another man put his hands on her. She wouldn't tolerate it in others either." (page 10)
- The theme I am tracking in this quote is overcoming obstacles. In this quote Wes's mother overcame obstacles that will soon later be life lessons for her own children.

"You must defend them, not fight them." (page 11)
- The theme I am tracking in this quote is mentoring. With Wes's father being there to lend him advice when he was unsure of what he has done in his early years, made him a better person growing up and even though he wasn't there for a long time he was still a mentor to him being his father.