The Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking Chapter 7

Theme: Life choices

1. "Wes's attendance became sporadic, and once his first child was born, he just stopped going."

Wes 2's decision to drop out of school was a huge life choice that he made. His decision to drop out of school will most likely have a negative affect on his life. With a criminal record and lack of a high school diploma, it is hard for Wes to find a job, which steers him deeper into the drug business, as it is his only way to make money. By choosing not to finish attending school, Wes will have very few job opportunities and will turn to criminal activity in order to earn money, which will most likely only get him into trouble and ruin his life.

2. "All that mattered was that he was here. He had accomplished his mission of completing high school." 

Unlike Wes 2, his good friend Woody, had decided to push through high school and graduate.This decision to earn his high school diploma, may turn out to prove very useful for Woody in the future. Unlike Wes, Woody will have a lot more job opportunities having earned his high school diploma and might even go to college to pursue a high-paying job. Above all, Woody's decision to complete high school will most likely help him steer away from entering the drug business and getting himself into trouble. In the short term, Wes is earning more money than Woody by selling drugs, however Woody's decision to finish school will most likely lead him win in the long run by living a life without being involved in the violence of the drug game or being locked up in prison.

3. "They made it clear that they cared if I succeeded, and eventually so did I."

At Valley Forge, Wes 1 begins to care more about his education and takes it more seriously. Because he is surrounded by people who support him and want him to succeed, he himself is motivated to succeed in school. In the past, most of Wes's teachers discouraged him and did not seem to be very supportive in his success. In fact, earlier in the book one of the teachers told him not to come to school because he was a disruption to the classroom. Wes had never been exposed to a learning environment where the teachers were so supportive of him and truly wanted to see him do well in school. Because Wes 1 is at a school like Valley Forge, where the staff is encourages him to succeed, he begins to take his education more seriously and works hard to reach his full potential.

4. "I thought about my mother and how she would feel if this escalated any further... I told Dalio we had to get back to campus by a different route..."

Although Wes 1 is angry after being embarrassed by the group of boys who called him a n****r and threw a glass bottle at him, he overcomes this anger and makes a wise decision. Instead of trying to fight back against his attackers, he wisely chooses to go back to school. This must have taken a lot of strength for Wes to suck up his pride and not retaliate. Evidently this was an obstacle that Wes successfully overcame because he managed to stay level-headed and make the wise decision not to let a bad situation get worse.

5. "Wes cursed himself. He knew he had been turning a blind eye to telltale signs that things were moving in this direction." 

For Wes Moore 2, seeing addicts is just an everyday thing. Wes Moore 2 is disgusted at them, but he is far away from them. But he's shellshocked when he sees Cheryl shoot heroin. Wouldn't you be? He's seen enough of the other addicts. He has a family of four children at a young age. So far, Wes' life choices have been terrible. From when he started in the drug trade, to when he decided to try and murder his girlfriends side boyfriend. Nothing is going right for him, and now its ten times harder to reverse the damage he's done to himself.

Title Justification Essay #2 Choices and Second Chances

The Other Wes Moore is organized into three sections, each of which contains 3 or more chapters. The second section is entitled "Choices and Second Chances." I believe that this section compares Wes Moore (author)'s and Wes Moore 2's choices and the opportunities they take. The title chosen for this fits well because it shows both how some take choices that lead to second chances, while other take choices that close doors and opportunities.

In the fourth chapter, we already see how much Wes Moore 2 has been affected by the drug trade. Mary Moore eventually finds his stash and realizes how far gone her sons are. She has tried to raise them well, but as the only authority figure in the house, you can see how little power she has had over the boys. This is also similar to Wes Moore (author)'s mother. As we see in the fourth chapter, his mother feels helpless. She has paid for an upperclass education in New York for her children, and she sees Wes Moore (author) fooling around and not taking advantage of his opportunities. Not knowing what to do, or how to respond, she realizes how little power she has over her son. Her only opportunity is to send him to military school. This is where Wes Moore (author)'s choices differ from Wes Moore 2's choices. Even though he feels as if he despises the military school, and even tries to run away, Wes Moore (author) recognizes the sacrifices his mother has made in order for him to be in that school, and takes full advantage of the opportunity that now faces him. On the other hand, Wes Moore 2 reverts to his drug trading after given the opportunity to go back to school. His second chance came when he got out of the juvenile facility. Instead of taking full advantage of the opportunity to go back to school, he decides to go and sell drugs instead, affecting his mother, his girlfriend, and many others in the process. 

Overall, the title "Choices and Second Chances" is used for the second section of The Other Wes Moore because this section shows how the two Wes Moore's lives start to differ not only because of fate, but because of their choices and free will. The way fate affected them was uncontrollable: where they lived, whether their fathers had an effect on their lives, etc. However, the choices they make are controllable: whether or not to go to school, whether or not to do drugs, who they hung out with and where, and ultimately who to look up to. All three chapters in this section show how while their fate sets them slightly apart, what will ultimately lead to the rest of their lives would be their choices and the way they take advantage of opportunities.

The Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking Chapter 6

Theme: Drugs

Quote 1

"Wes had his entire operation organized with the precision of a military unit or a division of a Fortune 500 company. The drug game had its own rules, its own structure...At their peak, his team brought in over four thousand dollars a day."

Quote 2

"There were over 100,000 known addicts in Baltimore, and the real number was arguably higher. Given that the city had a population of just under 700,000, there was an obvious glut of addicts. With a demand like that, and an ample supply, it was hard not to make money."

Quote 3

"He couldn't stop thinking about how much money he could make off that sale--almost enough to take care of this date."

Quote 4

"Getting arrested was starting to feel routine. Wes wasn't shocked or afraid anymore, just annoyed. Why him? Why now? Why couldn't they just leave him alone? He had enough to worry about."

Quote 5

"Possession with intent to distribute was a charge of a completely different magnitude--with serious mandatory sentences. Justin hadn't seen seen Shea around the neighborhood in a while and, from the sound of it, was not sure when he would again."

Wes Moore 2 has grown up quite a bit since the last time we've seen him. He is in charge of a highly organized drug gang, and has made quite a bit of money. The drug trade has severely affected his life and the lives of over 100,000 people. The fact that he gets arrested doesn't even faze him anymore. And possession with intent to distribute entails a very severe sentance, yet Wes Moore 2 couldn't be bothered. He just wants to make his money. He hasn't been to school in a very long time, reducing any chance of getting a respectable job in order to provide for his now expanding family. 

The drug charge develops in this chapter by showing how all lives can be ruined by the drug trade, no matter what role one may play in it. 

The Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking Chapter 5

Theme: Single Mother

Quote 1

"I knew my mother was considering sending me away, but I never thought she'd actually do it."

Quote 2

"Her almond shaped eyes were overflowing with anger, disappointment, and confusion, and maybe even a little fear. I would never have hit my mother. But in my room, at that moment, she was not so sure. She looked at me as if for the first time."

Quote 3

"She turned and walked out of the room. She was devastated. She was losing her son, and she was not sure how to turn the tide. We didn't know it at the time, but once alone, we both started to cry."

Quote 4

"The problem was that military school wasn't cheap. It's not even cheap. The price tag for Valley Forge was even steeper than that for Riverdale. My mother had written to family and friends, asking them to help her however they could...Weeks later, she was still thousands of dollars short."

Quote 5

"'I love you, and I am proud of you. And, Wes, it's time to stop running,' my mother said as I hung up."

Wes Moore (author) was already doing poorly in school. His mother had been fed up to the point where she shoved brochures in Wes' face depicting military school life. Wes obviously took this as an empty threat. He saw himself as the man of the house. That's why he couldn't imagine her ever sending him away. Also, that's why he couldn't imagine her hitting him. His mother was so against abuse, considering her past marriage, and she instilled those beliefs in him. Wes was her baby boy, but suddenly, after she struck him, she almost didn't recognize the boy in front of her. She loved him, and he loved her. She loved him so much, and she wanted him to do well in school, life, etc. She had such high hopes for him and she tried so hard to be a good mother to him. At the time, she felt like a failure. So, her only hope was military school for the rest of his education. Unfortunately, as a single mother, you're the only breadwinner in the family. Wes' mother was already paying for an upperclass education in New York for both of her daughters, and on top of that she had a low paying job. She desperately wanted what was best for her children, so she went to their relatives and asked for some. Still, she was short. In order to properly put him through the first year, Wes' grandparents gave his mother their retirement funds.

The theme for single mother develops in this chapter as it shows how single mothers try their hardest to mold their children into good citizens and students, but it's hard if you're the only authority figure in your household. In order to fix things, sacrifices must be made, and it takes a true parent to make that decision, also showing how single mothers carry the burden of two parents by themselves.

Characterization Sonnets

Characterization Sonnets

Wes Moore (2)

He who hath the identical name

But yet a different fate

Both Wes Moore's seemed the same

One they loved and one they hate

Being alone and trying to please 

Looking for help from his brother

With a smile that put all around at ease

He only had comfort from his mother

He forced himself into a world of pain

Running drugs that tore him apart

With very little to no gain

Instead it broke everyones soul and heart

What once was a happy and lively child 

Replaced by a man who no longer smiled

Wes Moore (author)

He who hath the identical name

But yet a different fate

Both Wes Moore's seemed the same

One they loved and one they hate
His life had started out happily
The father of his dreams was with him
At three years old he faced tragedy
And his life now seemed grim
He became a terrible student at school
Wanting advice and a new start
Did whatever he could to seem "cool"
He was struggling to follow his heart
He tried so hard to be who his family expected
But he had trouble in a city so infected

The Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking Chapter 4

The Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking

Theme: Drugs

Quote 1:
"Tony had now spent over a decade dealing drugs and knew how much could be made in the game."

Tony walks in to Wes Moore 2's house to meet Wes Moore 2's large quantity of expensive shoes. The drug theme develops in this chapter by showing how they surround the youth of urban cultures.

Quote 2:
"Drugs had brought fear to both sides of the equation. You could see it in the people in the neighborhood, intimidated by the drug dealers and gangs, harassed by the petty crime of the crackheads and frightened by the sometimes arbitrary and aggressive behavior of the cops themselves. On the other end of the relationship, the policemen, almost overnight, had gotten significantly tougher. The tide of drugs was matched by a tide of guns."

Drugs (such as crack cocaine) slowly but surely make their way into Baltimore and other major cities, but hold everyone hostage once they stake their place. This affects Mary Moore, Wes Moore 2, Wes Moore (author), and pretty much everyone in some way. The drug theme develops in this chapter by enveloping all who are slightly connected to drugs and destroying them in some way. This is also the reason that people say when someone does drugs, they affect at least 20 people in some way.

Theme: Role Model

Quote 1:
"Wes was so confused. He loved and respected his brother. Tony was the closest thing Wes had to a role model. But the more he tried to be like his brother, the more his brother rejected him. The more he copied him, the more Tony pushed back. Wes wanted to be just like Tony. Tony wanted Wes to be nothing like him."

Wes Moore 2's brother Tony was working the streets from a young age, back before he turned 14. Tony, as we see in chapter 2, exercises the "Do as I say, not as I do" mantra, and Tony now sees that it hasn't been enough to sway Wes Moore 2 away from drug dealing, developing the Role Model theme to show that role models sometimes aren't enough.

Theme: Single Mother

Quote 1:
"She reached again for the first Nike box and opened it. Inside were pills, marijuana, half an ounce of powdered cocaine, and half a dozen vials of 'ready rock,' or crack cocaine. She felt like she'd been punched in the stomach. She sat down on the bed, unsure of what to think. She didn't even bother looking in the second box; she already knew all she needed to know. Both her sons were drug dealers."

Mary Moore (Wes Moore 2's mother) finds drugs in Wes Moore 2's room and her heart falls. He had convinced her that he was DJing and he was making lots of money, explaining why there are hundreds of Nikes in his room, and she finds out that the money actually came from the drug running he was doing. This theme of single mothers shows that in trying to provide for her family, she didn't have time to raise her son right in order to steer him away from drugs.

The Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking Chapter 3

 The Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking

Theme: Importance of Education

Quote 1:

"When we finally got to the train station, Justin asked me a question.

'Did you study yet for the English test for Wednesday?'

'Nope,' I replied.

'You know they are going to put you on probation if you don't start doing better, man.'"

Wes (author) doesn't realize the importance of education in this chapter, further developing the theme to show that some people take education for granted, like Wes (author), rather than Mary Moore who is devastated that her future turned out like this.

Quote 2:

"Tony was now full-time in the streets, splitting time between his father's and girlfriend's apartments in the Murphy Homes Projects. He was a veteran of the drug game at eighteen. He'd graduated from foot soldier and now had other people working for him. School was a distant memory; Tony hadn't seen the inside of a classroom on a regular basis since eighth grade."

Tony's devotion to being "King of the Streets", per say, pulls him away from a school setting. The theme of Importance of Education develops in this chapter because of the stark contrast of characters. Wes Moore (author) goes to school but doesn't feel like doing the work. Wes Moore 2 goes to school sometimes, often skipping, and feels like he's too smart to do the work. Tony doesn't respect the idea of an education. All of this is painfully contrasted to Mary Moore, who breaks down when she has her education ripped from her and no chance of a successful future. 

Theme: Drugs

Quote 1:

"Crack was different from the drugs that preceded it. I was crazily accessible and insanely potent-and addictive. My friends and I would regularly trade the most remarkable stories we'd overheard or witnessed: A father who left his family and robbed his parents for money to buy rock. A pregnant mother who sold her body to get another hit. Someones grandmother who blew her monthly Social Security check on crack." 

Wes (author) is now growing up in the Bronx. The theme in this chapter is mainly about drugs and how close they are to the children and adolescents that live there. 

Quote 2:

"The other difference between crack and other drugs was its method of distribution. There was so much money to be made that drug gangs rapidly expanded their ranks, sucking in some of our best friends, and turf wars became deadly, aided by the influx of sophisticated firearms. The mayhem spread form the gangs to the rest of the neighborhood. Everyone felt threatened."

Again, this shows how the theme of Drugs affects everyone around it, slowly but surely incorporating them into Drugs' little world, especially teens who are pulled into the ranks of violent gangs and children who are recruited as runners for the gang.

Quote 3:

"As he lay in bed, he realized how time seemed to stop when he was high, how the drug-smoking it, feeling its effects, recovering from it-made him forget everything else. And he understood, faintly, how addictive that feeling could be, and how easy it would be to make some money off selling that feeling to people who needed it."

This quote can also relate back to the Role Model theme in Chapter 2 where Tony is trying to make sure that Wes 2 won't go into the drug and street game, like him. Here, we see its too late for Wes 2. He's been sucked in and now he sees the promise of money, developing the Drug theme to show that people can be part of the drug trade not for the getting high aspect, but rather for the money.

Title Justification Essay

The Other Wes Moore: Fathers and Angels

     The title of this collection of chapters is Fathers and Angels. This title is appropriate for these chapters because it shows how both fathers affected both Wes Moores lives.

Fathers and Angels is appropriate for this first group of chapters because they show how the fathers themselves affect both Wes Moores lives. In the text, Wes Moore (author) argues with the other Wes Moore, saying “Come on man…You don't think about how things would've been different if he’d been there?” Wes Moore (author) seems confused because his father affected him so deeply and he missed him so much, and he can’t believe that someone else doesn’t feel that way about their own father. Wes Moore 2 has his own answer, much to Wes Moore (author)’s surprise: “Your father wasn’t there because he couldn’t be, my father wasn't there because he chose not to be. We’re going to mourn their absences in different ways.”

     Wes Moore (author) tells the story about his father’s passing. “While I knew something bad had happened, I still wasn't sure what it meant.” Wes Moore (author) was very young at the time, but he loved his father very much. Losing his father took a large toll on Wes Moore (author), in two ways. Not only did he lose a parent, he lost a role model of his. In the book, he writes “With each tiny step I took with him, my whole hand wrapped tighter around his middle finger. I tried to copy his walk, his expressions. I was his main man. He was my protector.” In saying this, we can see that Wes Moore (author)’s attachment to his father was both as a familiar and admirer. 

     Wes Moore 2’s father was absent until he turned six years old. Wes Moore 2 finally meets his father at his grandmother’s house. “He was running through the living room when he saw someone he had never seen before.” It was his father, coming down from a hangover. Wes looked at Mary Moore (his mother) “hoping she could explain who this man was.” His mother didn't know what to do, really. “Mary looked down at her son and uttered the words she had never said before and never thought she would have to say.

‘Wes, meet your father.’ ”
     Both Wes Moores' are portrayed in the first three chapters as fatherless children who face the everyday struggles without someone to talk to about them. This also shows how they’re similar in many ways, not just by their name, as Wes Moore (author) says in an interview with Stephen Colbert. The title is appropriate for these three chapters in showing that while some fathers can be angels, others are destructive and terrible, leading some to attempt to find their own angels, however messed up they may be.

The Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking Chapter 2

The Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking

Theme: Single Mother
Quote 1:
"Their mom was usually out of the house by 8:30 and didn't come back until well in the evening."
Wes 2's mother Mary Moore was already shown as a hard-worker in Chapter 1. The single mother theme develops in the beginning of Chapter 2 in showing that throughout Wes 2's childhood, Mary was absent and working in order to put food on the table.

Quote 2:
"Her mother had let her know that there would always be an open door for her in the Bronx if she needed it. But my mother had been determined to stick it out in the home she'd bought with her husband. Until now.
'Mom, if it's still all right, I think we need to move up there. I can't do this alone anymore.' "
The Single Mother theme develops by showing that its important to a single-parent household's success that the parent's family is supportive. It also shows that single mothers will sacrifice everything to make their children's future stable and successful.

Theme: Role Model
Quote 1:
"His brother, six years older, was the closest thing Wes had to a caretaker during the daylight hours and was fiercely protective of the little brother who idolized him."
Tony, Wes 2's older brother, is a 14 year old when we first see him. He lives with his father most of the time in the projects, and is rarely home at Mary Moore and Wes 2's house. In Chapter 2, the Role Model theme develops while showing that even when Tony's away and Mary's at work, Tony tries hard to raise Wes 2 to be a better person.

Quote 2:
"Wes sighed into the phone. He had heard it before. He loved his brother but had learned to ignore his occasional 'do as I say, not as I do' tirades."
Tony tries to mold Wes 2 into the person that he himself wants to be. Unfortunately, the theme of Role Model develops more in Chapter 2 to show that sometimes just having a role model that tells you to do something doesn't instill the need to do it.

Quote 3:
"But no matter how tough he was, or how many corners he controlled, what Tony really wanted was to go back in time, to before he'd gotten himself so deep into the game, and do it all over. He wanted to be like Wes."
Tony is trying to be a role model for Wes 2, and in doing so, the theme of Role Model develops by portraying Tony as living vicariously through Wes 2 in order to relieve himself of his own guilt.