Chapter 4: Marking Territory

The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore

Theme Tracking

Chapter 4: Marking Territory

Theme 1: People make drastic life decisions at a young age.

1."Tony was exhausted. Tired from the beating he just gave Wes. Tired from repeating himself. If you won‘t listen, that‘s on you. You have potential to do so much more, go so much further. You can lead a horse to water, but you can‘t make him drink right?‘…That was the last time Tony ever tried to talk to Wes about the drug game." Pages 71- 72

From this excerpt, we see that Tony has given up on his little brother Wes. Wes won't make the decisions that Tony wishes he would, making Tony hopeless to try to keep helping him for the better. This quote ties to the theme that people make drastic life decisions at a young age because unless Wes starts making the right decisions, his future surrounded by drugs could lead him to prison. Making the choice to participate in something negative could completely change the course of a person's life.

2. "The cops gave us a gift that day, and I swore I would never get caught in a situation like that again. A week later, Kid Kupid was on the loose again, adding my tag to another graffiti-filled Bronx wall." page 84

This passage describes Wes's deliberate decision to continue to commit crimes, regardless of the apparent consequences. Wes was not arrested for graffiti yet despite his luck, he continued to do it. Sometimes we need multiple instances to learn a lesson and understand what's beneficial. In certain situations we're given a second chance that would lead us towards the right path and would lead to a successful future. In this circumstance, we see a life decision that would change Wes's path starting in his childhood. Life decisions are made at a young age.

3. "The cops gave us a gift that day, and I swore I would never get caught in a situation like that again" page 84

After Wes 1 was nearly arrested for vandalizing public property, he reflects on how he was lucky to be let off the hook by the cops and vows to not get into another situation like that again. Wes seems remorseful of his actions and realizes that the trouble he is getting into is serious. This relates to the theme of life choices because Wes made the decision to change his life again and never get in trouble for something like that again. At the end of the chapter however, it suggests that Wes began vandalizing public property again, so it is questionable whether Wes actually did learn from his mistake. The theme that children make drastic life decisions is evident as Wes builds himself a criminal record. From this, one can infer that many criminals begin committing crimes at a very young age.

Theme 2: Drugs and crime can drive individuals in a community to extremes.

4. "He owed money but had no drugs to sell- he had to figure out how to make that money back quickly. The only way to do that was to go see his connects and hit the street again" page 74

This quote describes Wes's desperation as a result of his mom flushing his drugs down the toilet. Wes figures that the only way for him to earn the money back is to hit the streets and sell more drugs. This ties to the theme of drugs and crime driving people to extremes because it shows two characters going to extremes. Wes's mom is so desperate for Wes to stop dealing that she flushed thousands of dollars of drugs, while Wes is so desperate to keep selling that he returns to the streets to get more despite the inevitable consequences. People involved with drugs and crime will go to extremes to maintain their lifestyle. At an early age, these drugs and crimes could seriously damage a person's future because of the threat of being arrested or the violence that comes with being involved in the drug game.

5.  "Now I understood what was going where this was going. I was being arrested" page 81

This excerpt is about Wes's experience being arrested after he vandalized a city wall. This ties into the theme of crime and drugs taking people to extremes because Wes was so involved in crime that he got arrested. In this case Wes was let off the hook but he could have easily faced worse consequences for breaking the law. Crimes drive people to extremes because unless the criminal is punished, they will not know what they had done was wrong.

Title Justification Paper #1

The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore

Title Justification Paper #1

         The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore chronicles the lives of two men named Wes Moore. Part one on the book, "Fathers and Angels", describes the relationships both the Wes Moores had with their fathers throughout their childhoods. The first couple chapters of the book also reveal to the reader both Wes's mothers attempting to direct the boys as their "angels" while facing life changing experiences. Wes Moore titled part one of The Other Wes Moore, "Fathers and Angels" to show the roles of parents in a child's life.

The title, "Fathers and Angels" is appropriate for the author’s purpose because it demonstrates the relationships of the Wes' and their fathers. Contrasting experiences where the author talks about happy memories about his father, while describing the other Wes as having barely any memories at all. The Wes' know that their fathers' absences were quite different,  “Your father wasn‘t there because he couldn‘t be, my father wasn‘t there because he chose not to be.” The purpose of both boys absence of father’s was to show how they affected their lives in different ways. One father chose to abandon his son while the other Wes had no choice but to cooperate with the death of his father.

The title "Fathers and Angels" also assists the author's purpose by suggesting that the mothers of the Wes Moores are not simply mothers, but are truly guardian angels for their sons. The mothers work hard to direct the boys in the right direction for a successful future by making sure the Wes' have a good education. Wes 1's mother "... decided soon after [their] move to the Bronx that [Wes] was not going to public school" (47).  Instead Wes 1's mother worked multiple jobs so that she could send her son to an affluent private school where Wes would have the opportunity to succeed. The other Wes' mother also valued her son's future and tried to provide him with the chance to receive a better education by moving her family to a new neighborhood. This shows that both the Wes Moores' mothers were strong women who only wanted the best for their sons. They would do anything to provide them with a chance to have a bright future. The Wes Moores' mothers were their protectors and angels throughout their early lives and they supported them as much as they could, despite the lack of another parent. The title of part 1 "Fathers and Angels" shows that the mothers of the Wes Moores were more than just mothers, they were angels. This first part of the book gives insight to the boy's futures by telling about their past relationships with their parents. 

It’s clear that Wes Moore titled Part One of The Other Wes Moore, ”Fathers and Angels”, to demonstrate how everyone’s past effects them in the future. It shows how childhood events and particular circumstances can change a person’s entire life. It shows how a child’s relationships with their parents can affect their futures as adults. Both boy’s lack of a father and angels of mothers completely drove their lives in different directions.

Characterization Sonnets

The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore
Characterization Sonnets

Wes
This gent hadst a home to no parallel
But ho his father hath passed hence
Woah! The gent down the stairs he fell
Bethought his future wast to be tense
A mother's intent for a future to be
Apace the family wot’st thou mov’st
Wes, "Bronx Boy", was he
And to the streets twas all he do'st
An inspiration at best
Poor Wes his soul was wrought
Though fainting words do warrant his test
His fortune misled so by the cops he was caught
Perchance this knave would owe such a pate
To lead him onward to a glorious fate


Other Wes
How ill a scene young Wes did bear
The gangs and streets the knave was bourn
So loving, his mother, yet merely unaware
Two sons would she be soon to scorn
A brother a mentor whom Wes did adore
Knife in hand and footsteps followed he
A delinquent of sorts and why, what for
Good morrow mother happly hied a master's degree
Poor mistress couldn't know whither her son would end
Upon the wall, shoeboxes stacked and filled
A lone knave on the corner to the wrong man his hand did he lend
His gentle mother a heart which was't killed
Predict he tried but Wes could not
An ugly fate by the streets he was wrought

Chapter 3: Foreign Ground

The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore

Theme Tracking

Chapter 3: Foreign Ground

Theme 1: Drugs can infiltrate a person's life before they realize they are involved.

1. "Besides watching Tony, Wes's first real interaction with drugs had taken place a few months earlier, just before the move out to Baltimore County" page 59

This quote is describes the first time jail Wes interacted with drugs. Wes's first experience with drugs occurred at a young age. The reader already knows the impact drugs have on Wes's life and this excerpt about his first experience shows how the drugs affected Wes before he even knew what was happening. From Wes's example, we see that once you get involved in the world of drugs it is quite difficult to get out of it, especially at such an early age. We also see that drugs can impact a person's life, especially a kid's life, before they realize what is happening. After this first encounter, Wes didn't know how to remove himself from the drug world. Before Wes realized what was  happening, drugs ruined his life, showing the theme that drugs infiltrate a person's life before they know they are involved.

2. "He knew what this game was, the same game that had consumed Tony and put a bullet or two in him. The same game Tony continually urged Wes to stay out of" page 58

This excerpt refers to jail Wes's job as a police scout for a group of drug dealers. The quote shows the theme of people unknowingly being impacted by drugs by showing how participating in the drug world in such a small way can translate to a life based on the impacts of drugs. It seems as though the author writes about Wes's experience with drugs to show how quickly things can spiral out of control. Starting small can soon translate to big consequences; even before the person is aware of what they are doing. 

Theme 2: Parents in tough situations want their children to have everything they did not, starting with an education.

3. "...my mother had begun to threaten me with military school if I didn't get my grades and discipline together" page 54 

Here, Wes talks about his mother's threat of military school if he does not start receiving better grades in school or behaving respectfully. This ties into the theme of parents wanting the best for their children because it shows how extreme consequences were if Wes was not doing his best. Wes's mother wants what is best for him and wants him to have a bright future. That is why she worked multiple jobs to send him to Riverdale Country School, an affluent private school. This exemplifies the idea that parents in tough situations emphasize the importance of their children's education so their children will not end up in the same situation they grew up in. Mothers realize that the way to help their children to succeed is to help them to succeed in school. Wes's mother's persistence and desire for Wes to succeed in school and the importance of education to her might be one of the leading factors for Wes  to become successful later on in life.

4. "Baltimore City had a 70 percent dropout rate at the time. Tony had already joined that statistic; Mary wanted to keep Wes away from the same fate" page 57

This quote brings up one of the reasons why Mary Moore decided to move her family away from Baltimore. Mary's desire for Wes to succeed and graduate high school made her willing to take large measures. This quote ties to the theme that troubled parents want their kids to receive an education because it shows how Mary deliberately worked to make sure Wes was in a positive learning environment. Like the other Wes's mother, Mary values education and wants the best for her son. She wants him to have a bright future and she sees education as the gateway to his success. This shows that although both mother's were in different situations, all parents in troubled situations can see education as the key to their children's future success. 

Theme 4: Drugs and crime can drive individuals in a community to extremes. 

5. "We were starting to feel the fear that crept around the edges of our consciousness at dusk... Justin knew the rules; Never look people in the eye. Don't smile, it makes you look weak. Always keep your money in your front pocket, never in your back pocket. Know where the drug dealers are at all times. Know where the cops are at all times." page 51

This quote effectively shows the ways that Wes and Justin were affected by the crime that surrounded and seeped into their neighborhoods. Everyone in the community was aware that no matter where you are or who you are with, you are never in a safe place. This goes along with the theme that drugs and crime can drive a community to extremes because it shows how fear directs people's lives. Places like the Bronx succumbed to crime and violence, greatly affecting the families that lived their by preventing them from living a normal, happy life. Instead, people live in great fear of being attacked or put in danger at any moment because their communities were so involved with drugs and crime.

Chapter 2: In Search of Home

The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore

Theme Tracking

Chapter 2: In Search of Home 

Theme 1: Absent fathers can impact a child no matter what the circumstances.

1. "Most of all Wes enjoyed the simple fact that Woody's father was there. Before he met Woody, Wes had never really seen a father around. Single-parent households were the norm in his world... He was genuinely happy for Woody, but he was also deeply envious." page 30

Chapter 2 continues the theme of absent fathers. Wes is clearly struggling with the absence of his father. Woody's father become that person for Wes. Although Wes can see what having a father is like, he is deeply jealous of Woody. Wes's new definition of family and affection and his new feelings of jealousy exemplify the theme that absent fathers impact a child no matter what. From this quote, the reader can see that absent fathers are always impacting the child, especially when they are around people who have fathers. It seems like the reader is using Wes to show an example of "the norm" of single parent households.

Theme 2: People are capable of overcoming obstacles.

2. "We were all enclosed by the same fence, bumping into one another, fighting, celebrating. Showing one another our best and worst, revealing ourselves- even our cruelty and crimes- as if that fence had created a circle of trust. A brotherhood." page 45

This chapter also continues the theme of overcoming obstacles. For the boys in the neighborhood, the basketball court was a place to for them to escape from the drugs and crime. Growing up in such undesirable circumstances causes the boys to have many obstacles including drug problems, violent home lives, and criminal records. From this quote, I can infer that basketball was a way for the boys to overcome all the tragedies on the streets and cope with their hardships. Basketball helped these guys get along with each other but it also momentarily freed them of  the danger and crimes around them. The author seems to use basketball as an example of ways that people cope with things. While these boys use basketball, other characters in the book use drugs and alcohol. By showing these coping mechanisms, the author shows differences between age groups in this community and the ways that people in the community overcome obstacles. 

Theme 3: Single mothers experience similar hardships despite differences in their circumstances.

3. "Mom, if it's still all right, I think we need to move up there. I can't do this alone anymore." page 37

This quote shows insight to some hardship Joy experienced as a single mother. After Wes Moore Sr. died, Joy was left with a broken heart and three kids to support. Without her calm and caring husband to help raise their children, Joy was left with stress and worry as challenges accumulated. Being a single mother brought on a lot more stress and responsibility to Joy's life and her only resolution was to seek help from her parents. This quote shows the hardships that all single mothers face, with Joy as an example. Single parent homes are the norm for this community so the author uses the characters to show the idea that all single mothers experience similar hardship.

4. "It was years before Wes's mom found out her son had been arrested that day." page 35

This excerpt shows parallels between Joy's struggles as a single mom and Mary's struggles as a single mom. Since Mary was a single mom, she could not be involved in her child's life. Mary had to work to support her family. With her busy schedule, she lost knowledge of what her kids were doing including the knowledge that Wes was arrested. Revealing that Wes's mom wasn't even aware of his arrest shows the challenges of being a single mother. 

Theme 4: Drugs and crime can drive individuals in a community to extremes. 

5. "Fear and apathy had become the new norm in what had once been a close-knit community. They had also talked about something I had never heard before. Crack." 

This quote shows a less obvious theme of the novel. The theme of drugs and crime drives the entire plot. Everyone in the community is impacted by  the violence in the area. The community was damaged and torn apart by drugs including crack. Wes and his family were surrounded by vacant buildings and shady drug deals. This environment makes everything in Wes's life that much more complicated. I can infer that the theme of drugs and crime driving individuals in a community to extremes will reoccur throughout the text.

Chapter 1: Is Daddy Coming Home with Us?

The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore

Theme Tracking
Chapter 1: Is Daddy Coming Home with Us?

Theme 1: Absent fathers can impact a child no matter what the circumstances.

1. “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 absence in different ways.” page 1

This quote from page one of The Other Wes Moore shows the idea that regardless of what circumstances a father is absent, the child is affected in some way. Moore writes that someone's father wasn't there because he couldn't be, but his father wasn't there because he chose not to be. Moore says that the two circumstances will still cause mourning for the child left behind. Even if a kid knows why their father isn't in their life, they will still mourn their father's absence. 

Theme 2: People are capable of overcoming obstacles.

2. "He grabbed her by the shoulders and threw her down... One month later, Joy and Nikki were packed up. Together, they left Bill for good." page 10

This quote shows how one character was able to overcome an obstacle. Joy's obstacle was her husband who was physically, mentally, and emotionally abusive on account of his drug and alcohol addiction. On the day that her husband came home and pushed Joy around, Joy's only thought was making sure her child would not be waken. Joy defended herself and realized that the only safe option she had was to leave her husband. Once she did, her obstacle that was her abusive husband was overcome.

3.  "She'd always pull back enough in her interactions with her classmates to give herself room to quietly observe them, so that when she got home she could practice imitating their accents, their idiosyncrasies, their style." page 8

This quote shows the theme of overcoming obstacles by showing another circumstance where a character overcame an obstacle. Being an immigrant from Jamaica, Joy wanted "desperately to fit in". To do this she studied her classmates talk, mimicked what she heard on the radio and TV, and tried to assimilate to American English and life. Her obstacle was being a foreigner. She overcame this obstacle by learning how to get rid of her Jamaican accent. 

Theme 3: People make life choices that impact more lives than just their own.

4. "By the end of the riots... Mary was only a kid, but she made a pact with herself at that moment: she would get her education and leave the neighborhood no matter what it took." page 19

This quote shows the theme of life choices impacting others by showing why life choices are made. Mary's tough childhood involving a crowded household, a bad neighborhood, and riots caused her to make the choice to leave everything she had grown up with. Mary made the life decision to go to college and completely change her fate. She did this while taking care of her two children and in effect, Mary created a better life for her kids. 

5. "'It's Bernard's crazy ass out there. I ain't going out to talk to him. He's drunk and crazy'... That was the last time he tried to see his son." page 24

This quote shows another time that Mary made a life decision for the benefit of her kids. When Bernard decided to he wanted to see his son, Mary knew that to keeping herself and her two sons away from him was the only way to keep them safe from his drunk behavior. When Mary made the decision to not let him in, Mary made the decision to be a single mother. This choice meant that Mary's son Wes would not have a father but it also meant peace and safety for Mary's family. This is an example of a life decision affecting others because Mary's decision directly impacted her son's lives.