"..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.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
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.
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.
- 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.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
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.
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.
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.
Monday, March 17, 2014
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.
- 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.
Monday, March 10, 2014
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.
- 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.
Monday, March 3, 2014
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.
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.
- 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.
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