The seminar influenced my thinking about Amir and how he changed as a person. Several comments were made about how his relationship with Baba changed when they got to the US. One thing that was said which made me think of something that I hadn't before was that his and Soraya's inability to have a child was a punishment to him. I can see why that would be the case. He had betrayed Hassan as a child, and the failure to have a child was payback.
In general, I agreed with the statement that Amir and Baba switched roles when they got to the US. In Afghanistan, Baba was taking care of Amir and Amir was doing whatever his father wanted him to do. When they arrived in the US, Amir was the one taking care of Baba, especially when Baba got sick. I didn't disagree with a statement that was made. If I could go back, I would ask one of my level 3 questions because the discussion did not go very far.
Once we got going, it turned out to be a good seminar. People were sharing their ideas more and were more willing to jump into the conversation. We all did a very good job of listening to each other. There were a lot of questions asked when we did get going, so that was good.
It took us a long time to have a good conversation. We needed a halftime less then 10 minutes in because there were too many awkward silences. We had to be pushed to talk, myself included. We also didn't ask any Level 3 questions, so the conversation was not very deep. It stayed around the same topic and it mostly revolved around the book. Outside ideas were not brought in.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Monday, June 2, 2014
Kite Runner Socratic Seminar Reflection #1
The seminar influenced my thinking because it made me consider the consequences of Amir's actions in greater detail. It made me wonder if it was worth it to give up the respect of someone he had a good relationship with in order to win the respect of someone else. Someone asked whether you would rather have Ali or Baba as a father, which was a deep question. They both have their pros and cons.Ali is more nurturing, while Baba emphasizes tough love.
I agree with the fact that Amir acts selfish and doesn't do anything to change it. He mentioned it himself several times in the book. He doesn't use rationale when faced with tough decisions, he goes by his gut feeling, which isn't always the best idea. There wasn't a single remark that I disagreed with a lot.
One thing that worked well for the seminar is that the questions were more focused around the book. That is a positive because previous seminars were more focused on Level 3 questions, and the actual plot was not discussed as much. Everyone in the circle was able to get a greater understanding of the book as a result of this.
One thing that needs improvement is that there were some long pauses in the conversation. Oftentimes, someone would be waiting for someone else to respond or ask a question. Eventually someone would jump in, but people need to do a better job of jumping in with a question or something to ensure a better flow.
I agree with the fact that Amir acts selfish and doesn't do anything to change it. He mentioned it himself several times in the book. He doesn't use rationale when faced with tough decisions, he goes by his gut feeling, which isn't always the best idea. There wasn't a single remark that I disagreed with a lot.
One thing that worked well for the seminar is that the questions were more focused around the book. That is a positive because previous seminars were more focused on Level 3 questions, and the actual plot was not discussed as much. Everyone in the circle was able to get a greater understanding of the book as a result of this.
One thing that needs improvement is that there were some long pauses in the conversation. Oftentimes, someone would be waiting for someone else to respond or ask a question. Eventually someone would jump in, but people need to do a better job of jumping in with a question or something to ensure a better flow.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Socratic Seminar Preparation #4
Part I.
Winston is arrested, interrogated, and tortured by the prison guards as well as O'Brien. For a long time, Winston refused to give up his beliefs. Finally, after going to Room 101 and being tortured with his fear of rats, he betrays Julia and recognizes his love for Big Brother.
Part II.
Level 2:
-Why does Winston not know when he is being arrested?
There are two scenarios that could be possible. One is that he was most likely knocked out by the guards, so therefore he would have no sense of time. Another possibility is that the Party manipulated time so that people would be confused as to what day it was. Those are two scenarios that are possible.(Logos)
-What does Orwell mean by "unexpected movements" on page 201?
The term "unexpected movements" refers to any movement that does not include someone sitting still with their hands in their laps. For instance, when Winston put a hand in his pocket, he was promptly yelled at by the telescreen. This shows that the government controls the movements that the prisoners make. (Logos)
-Why do the common criminals in the book act badly, but political prisoners don't?
The criminals act badly because they most likely already had behavioral problems which led to them becoming criminals. The political prisoners didn't commit a huge crime, it was just thoughtcrime. They are also not used to going to jail, whereas the common criminals most likely are. (Logos)
-Were all of the political prisoners beaten to rid them of intelligence?
It is very likely that all of the political prisoners were beaten. The interrogators were trying to get the political prisoners to believe in what the Party wants them to believe in, so they beat the prisoners' true beliefs right out of them. (Logos)
-Why is O'Brien inflicting pain on Winston?
O'Brien is an interrogator for the Party. He is trying to get Winston to drop his old beliefs and adopt those of the Party. Every time Winston said something that O'Brien didn't like, he was in pain. . This is a way to "cure" Winston. (Logos)
-What does Winston's refusal to adopt the thinking that O'Brien wants him to show about him?
It shows that Winston wants to stay true to himself and who he is. He doesn't care what anyone else thinks about him, even if he could potentially be persecuted for it. He is more interested in staying true to himself then thinking about what everyone else wants him to think. (Pathos)
Level 3:
-How would you feel if you were a parent and your kid turned you over to the police?
I would feel betrayed because I had raised the kid and done so much for them, and they turned me over to the police. Especially if I felt that I hadn't done anything wrong, I would be hurt. However, if I was living in that society, I would expect it because that was the norm in Oceania. (Pathos)
-Would prison guards be able to get away with injuring someone so badly in our society?
Prison guards in county jails would not be able to get away with beating someone up so badly because they could get in trouble. However, the guards at a facility such as Guantanomo Bay would be able to get away with it because they are dealing with possible terrorists, so they would be allowed to torture the suspects. (Logos/Ethos)
-In Oceania, the Party watches its citizens almost all the time. How is this evident in society today?
In the US, Edward Snowden leaked information from NSA. NSA has records of phone calls and Google searches done by people, so they know what a lot of people are doing. Google tracks the searches done on a computer by a certain person, so certain ads pop up advertising something similar to what the person is searching online. Also, the US has spied on officials in other countries, such as Russia. (Logical)
Part III.
"'You don't think they'll shoot me, do you, old chap? They don't shoot you if you haven't actually done anything-only thoughts, which you can't help? I know they give you a fair hearing.'"(Page 207)
"The beatings grew less frequent, and became mainly a threat, a horror to which he could be sent back at any moment when his answers were unsatisfactory."(Page 215)
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Socratic Seminar Reflection #3
The seminar influenced my thinking about the text because it made me consider why there were
restrictions on relations in the society. I learned more about the restrictions on sexual relations as well.
I hadn't thought a lot about why the laws were the way that they were. Camilla's comment that the
Party considered love to be a problem, not cheating, was really insightful because I hadn't thought
about it in a lot of depth.
I agreed with the fact that cheating was not considered to be a huge problem because love was
forbidden. The only valid reason for having sex in that society was to create more Party members. I
didn't disagree with anything that was said. If I could say anything, I would have asked at least one
more question. I think some of them that I had would have generated interesting discussion, but I held
back.
The discussion was really insightful and everyone had great ideas. Everyone contributed to the
conversation at least once, and everyone was receptive to each others' ideas. We talked a lot about the
book which was good, because there was too much level 3 discussion. Everyone left the seminar with
a better understanding of the book.
The seminar had some awkward silences, which was mainly because people were waiting for others to
talk. I did that too. Some of us were hesitant to share our ideas. We need to be more confident and
willing to take the lead in the conversation, and not defer to whoever the discussion leader is.
restrictions on relations in the society. I learned more about the restrictions on sexual relations as well.
I hadn't thought a lot about why the laws were the way that they were. Camilla's comment that the
Party considered love to be a problem, not cheating, was really insightful because I hadn't thought
about it in a lot of depth.
I agreed with the fact that cheating was not considered to be a huge problem because love was
forbidden. The only valid reason for having sex in that society was to create more Party members. I
didn't disagree with anything that was said. If I could say anything, I would have asked at least one
more question. I think some of them that I had would have generated interesting discussion, but I held
back.
The discussion was really insightful and everyone had great ideas. Everyone contributed to the
conversation at least once, and everyone was receptive to each others' ideas. We talked a lot about the
book which was good, because there was too much level 3 discussion. Everyone left the seminar with
a better understanding of the book.
The seminar had some awkward silences, which was mainly because people were waiting for others to
talk. I did that too. Some of us were hesitant to share our ideas. We need to be more confident and
willing to take the lead in the conversation, and not defer to whoever the discussion leader is.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Socratic Seminar Reflection #2
The seminar influenced my thinking because my perspective on the chapters that we had to read
changed. We talked about a lot of Level 3 questions. We were able to connect what was going on in
the book to our own lives. The questions that asked how the reader would feel if they were in certain
situations of the book were the questions that generated a lot of discussion. The connection to our lives
helped us see what Oceania was like. The question about why the Party didn't allow sex except for
creating more members made me think a little bit because I hadn't thought about it a lot before.
I agreed with the statement that the Party members felt threatened, which is why they were a
dictatorship. They were afraid that an uprising would occur. I disagreed with the statement that even
though vocabulary was decreasing, it did not affect the thought process of a person. Thoughts lead to
speech, so if the vocabulary was decreasing, it would also affect how someone thought. If I could go
back to the seminar, I would have asked a question because I had several that might have sparked good
discussion, but I couldn't bring myself to ask them.
The seminar flowed very smoothly. There were no interruptions and everybody listened to each
other. Because of that, people built off of others' ideas and the discussion was thought-provoking. No
one disrespected another person's ideas, if someone disagreed, they did it respectfully. Everyone had
good ideas and contributed to the discussion.
For the next seminar, we could do a better job talking about the book itself. It seemed like the entire
discussion consisted of Level 3 questions. Those kinds of questions are great, but we kind of got away
from the book a little bit. It would be good to talk about the book so everyone could have a good
understanding of it.
Monday, April 28, 2014
1984-Socratic Seminar Reflection #1
The seminar influenced my thinking about a topic because I gained some more insight into how
Oceania's society functioned. I learned about how it connected to the real world as well, since there
have been histories of people with authoritarian governments. Several examples of this are Germany,
during the Nazi era, as well as North Korea. To start the seminar, I asked, "Why does everyone call
each other 'comrade?'" I thought that it was a result of the country always being at war, but the
responses I got were that it was just a word used to address each other, just as Mr. and Mrs. would be
used.
I agreed with the idea that the citizens had to be careful about what they said and thought because
they were being watched by Big Brother and his regime. The citizens could be arrested for saying or
doing anything that the government viewed as a threat. I didn't really disagree with anything that was
said, because I thought that everyone's ideas made sense. I should have told the group my response to
the question, because it could have presented an opportunity to take the conversation in another
direction, but I didn't.
Everyone had good ideas and the discussion was thought-provoking in general. Everyone shared their
insights and views on certain topics. People were attentive and engaged in the discussion. Sasha did a
good job of facilitating it and making sure that everyone was involved. Some questions were really
good, as well, I had to think for a while to come up with the answer several times.
The main thing that people should work on is making their questions clear and relatively easy to
comprehend. There were several times that I had no idea how to answer a question because it was
either too complicated or it didn't get to the point. In both cases, I had no idea what some of those
questions were asking, which might have limited some opportunities to make a really insightful
comment. That is the main thing that people should work on.
Oceania's society functioned. I learned about how it connected to the real world as well, since there
have been histories of people with authoritarian governments. Several examples of this are Germany,
during the Nazi era, as well as North Korea. To start the seminar, I asked, "Why does everyone call
each other 'comrade?'" I thought that it was a result of the country always being at war, but the
responses I got were that it was just a word used to address each other, just as Mr. and Mrs. would be
used.
I agreed with the idea that the citizens had to be careful about what they said and thought because
they were being watched by Big Brother and his regime. The citizens could be arrested for saying or
doing anything that the government viewed as a threat. I didn't really disagree with anything that was
said, because I thought that everyone's ideas made sense. I should have told the group my response to
the question, because it could have presented an opportunity to take the conversation in another
direction, but I didn't.
Everyone had good ideas and the discussion was thought-provoking in general. Everyone shared their
insights and views on certain topics. People were attentive and engaged in the discussion. Sasha did a
good job of facilitating it and making sure that everyone was involved. Some questions were really
good, as well, I had to think for a while to come up with the answer several times.
The main thing that people should work on is making their questions clear and relatively easy to
comprehend. There were several times that I had no idea how to answer a question because it was
either too complicated or it didn't get to the point. In both cases, I had no idea what some of those
questions were asking, which might have limited some opportunities to make a really insightful
comment. That is the main thing that people should work on.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Statement of Intent-Othello Dramatic Reading
Throughout the recording of this soliloquy, I learned how clever and manipulative Iago is. Almost every character was part of his master plan that led to the demise of several characters, including Othello and Desdemona. While he is the antagonist in the play, he is very clever. His plan was complex and planned very carefully, which shows both his cleverness and his intelligence. I learned that if Iago wasn't clever and intelligent, the play would have ended differently because the plan could have backfired on him.
The impact of the soliloquy on the text as a whole was huge. It set the plot in motion and foreshadowed the events that would follow. Without it, the play would have had a different outcome. Iago would have taken a more rational approach to solve the problem. It affected all of the stages of dramatic structure because it shaped the entire outcome of the play. It also further complicated the characterization because at first, Iago comes off as a loyal officer to Othello. The soliloquy shows a completely different side to him, and it portrays him as a two-faced person.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Chapter 8: Surrounded-Theme Analysis
The themes in this chapter are Crime, Mentoring, and Parallel Biographies.
Crime:
"Three days earlier, in broad daylight, two masked men had run into J. Browns Jewelry, waving guns at the customers, ordering them to the ground." (Page 146)
Many people turn to crime in order to provide for their families. Most of the time, they do not have a job or they have a very low-paying one. Places such as jewelry stores are prime spots to get money, due to the expensive items that are present in the store. Many young people had dropped out of school, making it hard to obtain jobs. Since dropouts often have a hard time getting a job due to their lack of education, they have to find other ways to make money to support themselves and/or their families. Robbery was one of the most popular ways to do that.
"Baltimore City was now averaging over three hundred murders a year, making it one of the per capita deadliest cities in America."
Crime was prevalent in Baltimore City in the 1990s. Only 38 percent of high school students graduated on time, leaving the rest of them to make money on the streets. Dropouts will often turn to crime to try to provide for themselves, and also to protect their fellow gang members. Since there were a lot of high school dropouts, a lot of young people started to turn to crime. Their lack of education, combined with a lack of guidance in some cases, led them to turn to a life of crime. If a student goes through their life without having someone who was a good influence on them, they are more likely to get into trouble when they get older because they don't know how to handle their emotions in a professional manner, and they don't know the difference between right and wrong.
"This wasn't the first trip through the criminal justice system for either of them. Both men, in their early twenties, had long criminal records that included drug charges, handgun violations, and assault charges." (Page 149)
Many times, people who make their money off of the streets get into trouble more than once, which can lead to their downfall. Sometimes, convictions for crimes such as drug charges and handgun violations can start a chain reaction to them committing larger crimes that require more jail time. Other times, they commit larger crimes such as felonies right off the bat without there being any warning signs whatsoever. In this case, the men who were part of the crew to rob the jewelry store had engaged in crimes before, which shows how common crime was in Baltimore City.
Mentoring:
"'…But make sure you do not leave without understanding the history. Make sure you understand who Cecil Rhodes was and what his legacy is. Know this before you apply for his scholarship.'"
This is an example of mentoring because the mentor (Mayor Schmoke) is giving the mentee (the author Wes) advice that is needed to apply for a scholarship that has the potential to impact their life. The mentee is receiving good life advice that will help them stand out and be picked for the scholarship. Mentors can be very valuable in a young person's life because they lead their mentee in directions that can be prestigious. Someone who has someone like that in their life will be better off in the long run than someone who doesn't.
Parallel Biographies:
" I realized just how similar were the challenges the young boys here and kids like the ones I grew up with faced. In both places, young men go through a daily struggle trying to navigate their way through deadly streets, poverty… but they also have the history of determined, improvisational survival…" (Page 170)
This is an example of parallel biographies because it shows the similarities between Wes's life and the lives of South African kids his age. Many problems that youth face are universal no matter what region someone lives in. While the West tends to have better facilities in general and not a whole lot of people are under the poverty line compared to other regions, big decisions still have to be made in both regions, and this quote shows that.
Crime:
"Three days earlier, in broad daylight, two masked men had run into J. Browns Jewelry, waving guns at the customers, ordering them to the ground." (Page 146)
Many people turn to crime in order to provide for their families. Most of the time, they do not have a job or they have a very low-paying one. Places such as jewelry stores are prime spots to get money, due to the expensive items that are present in the store. Many young people had dropped out of school, making it hard to obtain jobs. Since dropouts often have a hard time getting a job due to their lack of education, they have to find other ways to make money to support themselves and/or their families. Robbery was one of the most popular ways to do that.
"Baltimore City was now averaging over three hundred murders a year, making it one of the per capita deadliest cities in America."
Crime was prevalent in Baltimore City in the 1990s. Only 38 percent of high school students graduated on time, leaving the rest of them to make money on the streets. Dropouts will often turn to crime to try to provide for themselves, and also to protect their fellow gang members. Since there were a lot of high school dropouts, a lot of young people started to turn to crime. Their lack of education, combined with a lack of guidance in some cases, led them to turn to a life of crime. If a student goes through their life without having someone who was a good influence on them, they are more likely to get into trouble when they get older because they don't know how to handle their emotions in a professional manner, and they don't know the difference between right and wrong.
"This wasn't the first trip through the criminal justice system for either of them. Both men, in their early twenties, had long criminal records that included drug charges, handgun violations, and assault charges." (Page 149)
Many times, people who make their money off of the streets get into trouble more than once, which can lead to their downfall. Sometimes, convictions for crimes such as drug charges and handgun violations can start a chain reaction to them committing larger crimes that require more jail time. Other times, they commit larger crimes such as felonies right off the bat without there being any warning signs whatsoever. In this case, the men who were part of the crew to rob the jewelry store had engaged in crimes before, which shows how common crime was in Baltimore City.
Mentoring:
"'…But make sure you do not leave without understanding the history. Make sure you understand who Cecil Rhodes was and what his legacy is. Know this before you apply for his scholarship.'"
This is an example of mentoring because the mentor (Mayor Schmoke) is giving the mentee (the author Wes) advice that is needed to apply for a scholarship that has the potential to impact their life. The mentee is receiving good life advice that will help them stand out and be picked for the scholarship. Mentors can be very valuable in a young person's life because they lead their mentee in directions that can be prestigious. Someone who has someone like that in their life will be better off in the long run than someone who doesn't.
Parallel Biographies:
" I realized just how similar were the challenges the young boys here and kids like the ones I grew up with faced. In both places, young men go through a daily struggle trying to navigate their way through deadly streets, poverty… but they also have the history of determined, improvisational survival…" (Page 170)
This is an example of parallel biographies because it shows the similarities between Wes's life and the lives of South African kids his age. Many problems that youth face are universal no matter what region someone lives in. While the West tends to have better facilities in general and not a whole lot of people are under the poverty line compared to other regions, big decisions still have to be made in both regions, and this quote shows that.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Title Justification Essay #3
The path of one's life can lead to fulfilled or unfulfilled expectations, depending on the type of path that was taken. In the third part of The Other Wes Moore, entitled "Paths Taken and Expectations Fulfilled," the paths of both Wes Moores arrive at their defining moments. The author Wes attends paratrooper training while in the army, and he becomes a regimental commander, one of the highest-ranking officers at Valley Forge. He had fulfilled expectations that the school had demanded of him. Wes 2 had gone to Job Corps and received his GED and vocational training, but after holding down a few jobs back home, he resorted to his old ways. He and his brother robbed a jewelry store, and shot a police officer, leading to a life sentence in prison. The title of the collection of chapters is appropriate with the author's purpose because the purpose is to encourage young people to make a positive impact with their life, and the section shows the rewards and opportunities that come with going in the right direction and fulfilling expectations.
The author demonstrates the rewards for making a positive impact in this section. One such reward was that "Valley Forge had selected me to be the regimental commander for the 70th Corps of Cadets. This meant that I would be the highest-ranking cadet in the entire corps of over seven hundred people." (Page 134) From the time that Wes had arrived at Valley Forge to the time he was about to enter junior college, he had changed. The adjustments that he made to his attitude and demeanor were instrumental in changing his life. He rose up through the ranks, gaining more respect with each promotion. The series of promotions cumulated with him being the highest-ranking officer in the corps. This shows that his elders at Valley Forge believed in him. As someone gains more respect, their outlook on life also changes. They realize that their elders believed in them and their ability to be a positive contribution to society, and they start to believe it, too. This leads to them becoming officers in the military (in Wes's case), police officers, doctors, or any other career where they make a difference. The reward ends up being the satisfaction of helping others. Also, when Wes went to talk to the mayor of Baltimore, Kurt Schmoke, he received a golden opportunity because of the direction his life was going in: "The words 'law school' escaped from my mouth, the fallback answer for students who have no idea what they want to do with their lives. Mayor Schmoke waved his hand at the idea. 'Have you ever heard of the Rhodes Scholarship?'"(Page 161) Wes had just finished completing an internship with the Mayor, and they were having a discussion about the experience and Wes's future plans. Mayor Schmoke thought highly of Wes, justifying the reason that he encouraged Wes to apply for the Rhodes Scholarship. Many times, when a young person is viewed as exemplary, they are recruited to engage in prestigious programs or apply for scholarships. For example, a student with straight A's is often encouraged to apply to the National Honor Society. The more people that think highly of the person, the more opportunities are available to that person, and the more options they have for pursuing interests that they have.
The author shows how going down the right path can lead to several doors of opportunity opening. It can lead to important leadership positions such as army officer, politician, or any other profession like that. It can also lead to other opportunities arising that have the potential to help a student discover their true calling in life. Hopefully, a teen heading down the wrong path will read that section and be inspired to change the direction they are heading.
The author demonstrates the rewards for making a positive impact in this section. One such reward was that "Valley Forge had selected me to be the regimental commander for the 70th Corps of Cadets. This meant that I would be the highest-ranking cadet in the entire corps of over seven hundred people." (Page 134) From the time that Wes had arrived at Valley Forge to the time he was about to enter junior college, he had changed. The adjustments that he made to his attitude and demeanor were instrumental in changing his life. He rose up through the ranks, gaining more respect with each promotion. The series of promotions cumulated with him being the highest-ranking officer in the corps. This shows that his elders at Valley Forge believed in him. As someone gains more respect, their outlook on life also changes. They realize that their elders believed in them and their ability to be a positive contribution to society, and they start to believe it, too. This leads to them becoming officers in the military (in Wes's case), police officers, doctors, or any other career where they make a difference. The reward ends up being the satisfaction of helping others. Also, when Wes went to talk to the mayor of Baltimore, Kurt Schmoke, he received a golden opportunity because of the direction his life was going in: "The words 'law school' escaped from my mouth, the fallback answer for students who have no idea what they want to do with their lives. Mayor Schmoke waved his hand at the idea. 'Have you ever heard of the Rhodes Scholarship?'"(Page 161) Wes had just finished completing an internship with the Mayor, and they were having a discussion about the experience and Wes's future plans. Mayor Schmoke thought highly of Wes, justifying the reason that he encouraged Wes to apply for the Rhodes Scholarship. Many times, when a young person is viewed as exemplary, they are recruited to engage in prestigious programs or apply for scholarships. For example, a student with straight A's is often encouraged to apply to the National Honor Society. The more people that think highly of the person, the more opportunities are available to that person, and the more options they have for pursuing interests that they have.
The author shows how going down the right path can lead to several doors of opportunity opening. It can lead to important leadership positions such as army officer, politician, or any other profession like that. It can also lead to other opportunities arising that have the potential to help a student discover their true calling in life. Hopefully, a teen heading down the wrong path will read that section and be inspired to change the direction they are heading.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Chapter 7: The Land that God Forgot-Theme Analysis
The themes in this chapter are Mentoring, Life Choices, and Parallel Biographies.
Mentoring:
"I thought about Lieutenant Colonel Murnane, my tenth-and eleventh-grade history and social studies teacher, who lit a fire in me about the importance of public service." (Page 132)
Colonel Murnane instilled an important value in Wes, which changed his life forever. Many times, when a teen is going nowhere, they will have a "screw the world" attitude. However, Wes's teacher convinced him otherwise. He taught Wes that there are disadvantaged people that need help and to have an unselfish attitude. Anyone can have a positive impact on a young person's life that causes them to change.
"[Colonel Murphy] said something I will never forget. 'When it is time for you to leave this school, leave your job, or even leave this earth, you make sure you have worked hard to make sure it mattered you were ever here.'"(Page 133)
This quote really resonated with Wes. Like Colonel Murnane, Colonel Murphy made sure that every person had a positive impact on the world. Teens are often inspired and motivated by quotes like those to make a difference in their world. They will do everything they can to make their world a better place, and it can influence their career choices. Their perspectives on life can change, making them want to make a positive impact on the world.
Life Choices:
"I wanted to stay at Valley Forge and attend its junior college, which would allow me to …become a second lieutenant in the Army. I wanted to lead soldiers."(Page 133)
Wes's decision to enter the army was based off of Colonel Murnane and Colonel Murphy's teachings. He wanted to make a positive impact and serve his country. This is one example of how good mentors can sway a young person's career decision. If he had decided to play basketball instead, his path could have been different. Anytime someone becomes highly respected and their mentors say that they have a bright future, it can greatly impact the direction that the person could decide to go in.
"As the baking soda swirled in the rapidly heating pot, Wes held the plastic bag with both hands and poured in nine ounces of cocaine."(Page 145)
At this point, Wes 2 had returned from the Job Corps program. Alicia and Cheryl both wanted him to send money so they could take care of his children. However, he had not been able to send a lot of money, so they were both accusing him of failing to take care of his children. In order to provide for them, he reverted back to dealing drugs, since a lot of money was made that way. That is understandable since he had very little money. Sometimes, however, someone who has limited options due to a lack of education can be emotionally unstable and unable to cope with their problems. They have been so used to using violence and drugs on the streets to deal with it that there is no other way for them to do it. Wes is one of those people. This choice would ultimately put his life back on the wrong track.
Parallel Biographies:
"His quick success had Wes thinking differently about his life…Just as he had on the corners of Baltimore, Wes became a leader."(Page 142)
At this time, Wes had finished Job Corps testing and he was able to take an accelerated track in order to get his GED and start vocational training. He was at the top of his class, and people looked up to him because he was bright and he set an example for the others as to how one should go about their life. His success gave him hope for his life. Whenever someone goes through a rough time, they are often depressed and they think negatively about life. When things start to go well, the black cloud over their head passes and they automatically start to think more positively. Their initial success can cause them to become leaders as well as give them the confidence to take control of their lives. Wes's journey here is similar to when the author Wes became an officer. He turned his life around at Valley Forge and was recognized for it by his chain of command. This turn of events also caused his outlook on life to change.
Mentoring:
"I thought about Lieutenant Colonel Murnane, my tenth-and eleventh-grade history and social studies teacher, who lit a fire in me about the importance of public service." (Page 132)
Colonel Murnane instilled an important value in Wes, which changed his life forever. Many times, when a teen is going nowhere, they will have a "screw the world" attitude. However, Wes's teacher convinced him otherwise. He taught Wes that there are disadvantaged people that need help and to have an unselfish attitude. Anyone can have a positive impact on a young person's life that causes them to change.
"[Colonel Murphy] said something I will never forget. 'When it is time for you to leave this school, leave your job, or even leave this earth, you make sure you have worked hard to make sure it mattered you were ever here.'"(Page 133)
This quote really resonated with Wes. Like Colonel Murnane, Colonel Murphy made sure that every person had a positive impact on the world. Teens are often inspired and motivated by quotes like those to make a difference in their world. They will do everything they can to make their world a better place, and it can influence their career choices. Their perspectives on life can change, making them want to make a positive impact on the world.
Life Choices:
"I wanted to stay at Valley Forge and attend its junior college, which would allow me to …become a second lieutenant in the Army. I wanted to lead soldiers."(Page 133)
Wes's decision to enter the army was based off of Colonel Murnane and Colonel Murphy's teachings. He wanted to make a positive impact and serve his country. This is one example of how good mentors can sway a young person's career decision. If he had decided to play basketball instead, his path could have been different. Anytime someone becomes highly respected and their mentors say that they have a bright future, it can greatly impact the direction that the person could decide to go in.
"As the baking soda swirled in the rapidly heating pot, Wes held the plastic bag with both hands and poured in nine ounces of cocaine."(Page 145)
At this point, Wes 2 had returned from the Job Corps program. Alicia and Cheryl both wanted him to send money so they could take care of his children. However, he had not been able to send a lot of money, so they were both accusing him of failing to take care of his children. In order to provide for them, he reverted back to dealing drugs, since a lot of money was made that way. That is understandable since he had very little money. Sometimes, however, someone who has limited options due to a lack of education can be emotionally unstable and unable to cope with their problems. They have been so used to using violence and drugs on the streets to deal with it that there is no other way for them to do it. Wes is one of those people. This choice would ultimately put his life back on the wrong track.
Parallel Biographies:
"His quick success had Wes thinking differently about his life…Just as he had on the corners of Baltimore, Wes became a leader."(Page 142)
At this time, Wes had finished Job Corps testing and he was able to take an accelerated track in order to get his GED and start vocational training. He was at the top of his class, and people looked up to him because he was bright and he set an example for the others as to how one should go about their life. His success gave him hope for his life. Whenever someone goes through a rough time, they are often depressed and they think negatively about life. When things start to go well, the black cloud over their head passes and they automatically start to think more positively. Their initial success can cause them to become leaders as well as give them the confidence to take control of their lives. Wes's journey here is similar to when the author Wes became an officer. He turned his life around at Valley Forge and was recognized for it by his chain of command. This turn of events also caused his outlook on life to change.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Chapter 6: Hunted- Theme Analysis
The themes in this chapter are importance of education, crime, drugs, overcoming obstacles, and life choices.
Importance of education/Crime:
"Woody thought about White Boy, his boy from the neighborhood, who picked up a job working at a restaurant called Poor Folks. He was tired of school and decided joining the workforce was a better option." (Page 109)
Usually, when a teen surrounds themselves with friends who tend to get into trouble and not place an emphasis on their education, they tend to go down the same path as their friends due to peer pressure. They don't think about how beneficial school is to their future, because their friends don't. If their friends say that they are "tired" of school and drop out, chances are they will drop out too. Despite this, Woody was still the only person out of his group of friends to graduate from high school. He stayed the course, unlike his friends, therefore he will have a better future then White Boy will.
"Not surprisingly, without a high school diploma or job training-and with a criminal record-Wes found it almost impossible to find a job to support his growing family." (Page 110)
Almost all employers, when performing background checks, will automatically reject an applicant who has a criminal record. If they don't have a high school diploma or job training, that doesn't bode well for the applicant either. Those three factors show the employer that the applicant will not be a good addition to the staff. If Wes 2 had stayed in school and out of trouble, he would have been able to find a job, and it would be a lot easier on his family.
Drugs:
"There were over 100,000 known addicts in Baltimore, and the real number was arguably higher…With a demand like that, and an ample supply, it was hard not to make money." (Pages 111-112)
Anytime the number of addicts is that big, lots of money will be made. Addicts will often blow all of their (and their family members) cash on drugs in order to get their fix. The combination of the number of addicts, plus the money they spend in order to get high, equals a lot of cash. All around a community or city, drugs are seen and smelled everywhere by everyone.
Overcoming Obstacles/Life choices:
"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)
Some kids refuse to change. Even when they enter a strict environment such as Valley Forge or any other military school, they don't buy into their school's philosophy. They continue acting up and causing their elders problems. Others, such as the author Wes, realize that they need to change. The obstacle in this case is their own attitude. In order to get their life back on track, they needed to reflect on their life, which often resulted in a change of attitude. In Wes's case, he overcame his negative attitude to lead people who were once like him.
" My assailant was unknown, unnamed, and in a car. This was not a fair fight, and the best-case scenario was nowhere near as probable as the worst-case scenario. If I was successful, who knew how the fight would've ended? If I failed, who knew how the fight would have ended?" (Page 121)
Even at a military school, situations that arise frequently at home can occasionally be found on campus. The itch to fight can still linger inside the most nonviolent person when faced with a situation like that. They have to make an important decision: either fight their attacker or walk away calmly. That decision can determine their peers and elders' respect from them as well as where their life could potentially be headed. Wes chose not to fight, and because of that he maintained his respect from his peers and elders. If he had chosen to fight, he could have been expelled.
Importance of education/Crime:
"Woody thought about White Boy, his boy from the neighborhood, who picked up a job working at a restaurant called Poor Folks. He was tired of school and decided joining the workforce was a better option." (Page 109)
Usually, when a teen surrounds themselves with friends who tend to get into trouble and not place an emphasis on their education, they tend to go down the same path as their friends due to peer pressure. They don't think about how beneficial school is to their future, because their friends don't. If their friends say that they are "tired" of school and drop out, chances are they will drop out too. Despite this, Woody was still the only person out of his group of friends to graduate from high school. He stayed the course, unlike his friends, therefore he will have a better future then White Boy will.
"Not surprisingly, without a high school diploma or job training-and with a criminal record-Wes found it almost impossible to find a job to support his growing family." (Page 110)
Almost all employers, when performing background checks, will automatically reject an applicant who has a criminal record. If they don't have a high school diploma or job training, that doesn't bode well for the applicant either. Those three factors show the employer that the applicant will not be a good addition to the staff. If Wes 2 had stayed in school and out of trouble, he would have been able to find a job, and it would be a lot easier on his family.
Drugs:
"There were over 100,000 known addicts in Baltimore, and the real number was arguably higher…With a demand like that, and an ample supply, it was hard not to make money." (Pages 111-112)
Anytime the number of addicts is that big, lots of money will be made. Addicts will often blow all of their (and their family members) cash on drugs in order to get their fix. The combination of the number of addicts, plus the money they spend in order to get high, equals a lot of cash. All around a community or city, drugs are seen and smelled everywhere by everyone.
Overcoming Obstacles/Life choices:
"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)
Some kids refuse to change. Even when they enter a strict environment such as Valley Forge or any other military school, they don't buy into their school's philosophy. They continue acting up and causing their elders problems. Others, such as the author Wes, realize that they need to change. The obstacle in this case is their own attitude. In order to get their life back on track, they needed to reflect on their life, which often resulted in a change of attitude. In Wes's case, he overcame his negative attitude to lead people who were once like him.
" My assailant was unknown, unnamed, and in a car. This was not a fair fight, and the best-case scenario was nowhere near as probable as the worst-case scenario. If I was successful, who knew how the fight would've ended? If I failed, who knew how the fight would have ended?" (Page 121)
Even at a military school, situations that arise frequently at home can occasionally be found on campus. The itch to fight can still linger inside the most nonviolent person when faced with a situation like that. They have to make an important decision: either fight their attacker or walk away calmly. That decision can determine their peers and elders' respect from them as well as where their life could potentially be headed. Wes chose not to fight, and because of that he maintained his respect from his peers and elders. If he had chosen to fight, he could have been expelled.
Title Justification Essay #2
The opportunities that someone has to get themselves on the right track and positively impact the world are often limited. For some people, they only get one shot. If they don't take advantage of that shot, they would go nowhere, and they would live a life of crime and drugs due to their choices. For other people, however, they receive another shot to do something positive with their life. This is illustrated specifically in Part 2 of The Other Wes Moore, titled "Choices and Second Chances." In this part, the author Wes is sent to military school by his mother. He despised it at first, but soon became a leader in the corps and grew to love it. Meanwhile, Wes 2 got into more trouble. He was arrested for attempted murder and for drug dealing. The title of the section, "Choices and Second Chances," is appropriate with the author's purpose because it contrasts the paths that teens can take with their lives and their consequences, but it also tries to motivate kids to stay on the right path.
There are several examples that demonstrate the author's desire to motivate kids to stay on the right path. "The final straw came one evening while she sat downstairs on the phone listening to my dean from Riverdale explain why they were placing me on academic and disciplinary probation…Bad grades, absence from classes, and an incident with a smoke bomb… Her conviction was increasing with every bad report." (Page 87) The dean was describing choices that the author Wes made that caused his family to change his environment. When a school administrator describes reasons such as those listed in the quote for putting a child on probation, any parent will be angry and monitor their child. Wes's mother had done that enough. Wes's choice to neglect his education and misbehave led to a major change in his life. Wes uses the description of his problems as well as his mother's conviction to motivate kids to do positive things with their lives. They show how serious a parent can be when they say they want to change their child's environment, even if their children don't believe them. Another example shows second chances: "'I am going to let you talk on the phone for five minutes, and that is it for the rest of plebe system. Call who you need to, but you had better be snapped out of this when that phone hangs up.'"(Page 94) Colonel Batt's willingness to let Wes talk to his mom shows how much he wants Wes to succeed in life. In a strict environment such as Valley Forge, some officers would have given up on plebes who misbehaved. The military has little time for clowns. However, Wes was given a chance to reflect on his actions. That phone call was a turning point in his life. After that phone call, he changed his attitude and his outlook on life, and he greatly benefitted from it. This also serves as a great motivator for kids. It shows them how valuable a second chance can be, and they should take advantage of it to make sure their life is heading in a positive direction.
The title is appropriate with the author's purpose because it illustrates the consequences of certain actions while also motivating kids to stay on the right path. Wes's decisions to neglect school and engage in misconduct led to his mother sending him to Valley Forge to get his life back on track. His choices led to a 180 degree shift in his environment. Colonel Batt, instead of expelling Wes, gave him an opportunity to correct himself and evaluate his life. Any teen going down the wrong path who reads the second part of the book will be inspired by how Wes righted himself, and they might even evaluate themselves as to where they are going.
There are several examples that demonstrate the author's desire to motivate kids to stay on the right path. "The final straw came one evening while she sat downstairs on the phone listening to my dean from Riverdale explain why they were placing me on academic and disciplinary probation…Bad grades, absence from classes, and an incident with a smoke bomb… Her conviction was increasing with every bad report." (Page 87) The dean was describing choices that the author Wes made that caused his family to change his environment. When a school administrator describes reasons such as those listed in the quote for putting a child on probation, any parent will be angry and monitor their child. Wes's mother had done that enough. Wes's choice to neglect his education and misbehave led to a major change in his life. Wes uses the description of his problems as well as his mother's conviction to motivate kids to do positive things with their lives. They show how serious a parent can be when they say they want to change their child's environment, even if their children don't believe them. Another example shows second chances: "'I am going to let you talk on the phone for five minutes, and that is it for the rest of plebe system. Call who you need to, but you had better be snapped out of this when that phone hangs up.'"(Page 94) Colonel Batt's willingness to let Wes talk to his mom shows how much he wants Wes to succeed in life. In a strict environment such as Valley Forge, some officers would have given up on plebes who misbehaved. The military has little time for clowns. However, Wes was given a chance to reflect on his actions. That phone call was a turning point in his life. After that phone call, he changed his attitude and his outlook on life, and he greatly benefitted from it. This also serves as a great motivator for kids. It shows them how valuable a second chance can be, and they should take advantage of it to make sure their life is heading in a positive direction.
The title is appropriate with the author's purpose because it illustrates the consequences of certain actions while also motivating kids to stay on the right path. Wes's decisions to neglect school and engage in misconduct led to his mother sending him to Valley Forge to get his life back on track. His choices led to a 180 degree shift in his environment. Colonel Batt, instead of expelling Wes, gave him an opportunity to correct himself and evaluate his life. Any teen going down the wrong path who reads the second part of the book will be inspired by how Wes righted himself, and they might even evaluate themselves as to where they are going.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Wes Moore Characterization Sonnets
Warning: These sonnets are written in the style of Shakespeare.
The author Wes Moore:
Three years of age young Wes was,
Perished his father in a flash,
Howbeit was his memory fuzzed,
To led his spirit crash.
The Bronx he moved hither in the midst,
Was crime extremely cool.
Hereupon, affected him it didst,
Occurred lack of effort in school.
Two sisters he hath,
Existed a chain of care.
Did not help he with young Shani's math,
Caused he his mother's despair.
Affect his troubles he let in life,
Creating an identity caused that the family's strife.
Wes Moore #2:
Was Wes an innocent lad,
Influenced him his brother didst.
The path that went Tony was bad,
Leading to numerous fights with fists.
Help Wes received from Tony in the end.
Toughen him up it was to try.
Why he wouldst one could comprehend,
Given troubles in the neighborhood causing death cries.
Dealed drugs Tony,
School thou didn't go.
Was Wes to listen to him a phony,
Stooped hither a level Tony that was low.
Looked up to someone else should Wes have done,
To get into trouble he chose, was it the wrong kind of fun.
Chapter 5: Lost- Theme Analysis
The themes in this chapter are life choices, absent fathers, crime, fate vs free will, and role models.
Role Models/ Life Choices/ Fate vs Free Will:
"I got bored and looked around for alternative entertainment. The only thing available was my sister. I began to lightly punch her in the arm…" ( Page 87)
This quote falls under life choices because at this time in the book, the final straw for the author Wes was occurring. While his mother was listening to his principal, Wes was watching T.V. with his sister. Even though he was bored when the T.V. lost reception, he could have found another thing to do to entertain himself besides punch his sister. He could have tried to fix the reception or find something else to do with his energy, but he didn't. His decision to take his boredom out on his sister prompted his mother to send him to military school, changing his attitude and environment.
"Wes could only see red. He was blind with rage. Instincts kicked in. Tony's words rang through his mind. Send a message." (Page 104)
Wes 2 was trying to seek revenge against a guy named Ray, who beat him up for sleeping with a girl that Ray had been seeing. Once Wes arrived downstairs with his pistol, the training that he received from Tony kicked in. Given that Tony was his role model, it makes sense that he would remember what his brother told him. Violence is not the answer to solving a problem, although that is basically what Wes was told growing up. This quote also falls under life choices because he chose to believe Tony when he said that the way to solve disputes was by getting back at someone. He could have chosen not to listen to that advice, but to listen to the advice about staying in school and away from the streets. If he had done that, he would have been on the right path. He listened to the wrong advice, which led to trouble with the law.
"About your question. I don't know the answer." (Page 107)
This was Wes 2's answer to his mother's question about whether he was the person who shot Ray. He refused to admit that he shot him. That answer foreshadows other events that will occur in his life. If he had admitted that he shot Ray, he could have gained respect for turning himself in, and it could have motivated him to turn his life around and start going to school. He could have learned from that incident and used it to better himself. Instead, he refused to admit that he was involved. That choice led him down a path of trouble, meaning that his destiny was determined by free will.
Crime:
"He reached up to the top shelf and pulled out the shoe box that held his 9mm Beretta and a few full clips." (Pages 103-104)
Like many other teens in the neighborhood at the time, Wes 2 had a gun. The fact that he possessed a gun and clips in his home shows how frequent crime was. Usually, people must be of age to buy a gun, and before they do, they have to pass a series of background checks. Since the teens were underage, it is puzzling as to how they got the gun in the first place. It is likely that a family member gave it to them. If that is the case, it is understandable that there would be a lot of crime, because weapon use would have diffused from generation to generation.
Absent Fathers:
"Still squinting, he looked his son in the eyes. 'Who are you?'… Part of [Wes] was hurt, part ashamed, part relieved that the awkward conversation he had been dreading wouldn't be happening." (Page 102)
At this point in the chapter, Wes 2 was attempting to say hello to his father, who wasn't really around when Wes was a kid. The fact that his father didn't really know his son at all shows that Wes didn't have a responsible older male figure he could look up to. The storm of emotions he experienced is the result of a lack of a reliable father figure. If his father had been there for him during his childhood, Wes would have had a better life.
Role Models/ Life Choices/ Fate vs Free Will:
"I got bored and looked around for alternative entertainment. The only thing available was my sister. I began to lightly punch her in the arm…" ( Page 87)
This quote falls under life choices because at this time in the book, the final straw for the author Wes was occurring. While his mother was listening to his principal, Wes was watching T.V. with his sister. Even though he was bored when the T.V. lost reception, he could have found another thing to do to entertain himself besides punch his sister. He could have tried to fix the reception or find something else to do with his energy, but he didn't. His decision to take his boredom out on his sister prompted his mother to send him to military school, changing his attitude and environment.
"Wes could only see red. He was blind with rage. Instincts kicked in. Tony's words rang through his mind. Send a message." (Page 104)
Wes 2 was trying to seek revenge against a guy named Ray, who beat him up for sleeping with a girl that Ray had been seeing. Once Wes arrived downstairs with his pistol, the training that he received from Tony kicked in. Given that Tony was his role model, it makes sense that he would remember what his brother told him. Violence is not the answer to solving a problem, although that is basically what Wes was told growing up. This quote also falls under life choices because he chose to believe Tony when he said that the way to solve disputes was by getting back at someone. He could have chosen not to listen to that advice, but to listen to the advice about staying in school and away from the streets. If he had done that, he would have been on the right path. He listened to the wrong advice, which led to trouble with the law.
"About your question. I don't know the answer." (Page 107)
This was Wes 2's answer to his mother's question about whether he was the person who shot Ray. He refused to admit that he shot him. That answer foreshadows other events that will occur in his life. If he had admitted that he shot Ray, he could have gained respect for turning himself in, and it could have motivated him to turn his life around and start going to school. He could have learned from that incident and used it to better himself. Instead, he refused to admit that he was involved. That choice led him down a path of trouble, meaning that his destiny was determined by free will.
Crime:
"He reached up to the top shelf and pulled out the shoe box that held his 9mm Beretta and a few full clips." (Pages 103-104)
Like many other teens in the neighborhood at the time, Wes 2 had a gun. The fact that he possessed a gun and clips in his home shows how frequent crime was. Usually, people must be of age to buy a gun, and before they do, they have to pass a series of background checks. Since the teens were underage, it is puzzling as to how they got the gun in the first place. It is likely that a family member gave it to them. If that is the case, it is understandable that there would be a lot of crime, because weapon use would have diffused from generation to generation.
Absent Fathers:
"Still squinting, he looked his son in the eyes. 'Who are you?'… Part of [Wes] was hurt, part ashamed, part relieved that the awkward conversation he had been dreading wouldn't be happening." (Page 102)
At this point in the chapter, Wes 2 was attempting to say hello to his father, who wasn't really around when Wes was a kid. The fact that his father didn't really know his son at all shows that Wes didn't have a responsible older male figure he could look up to. The storm of emotions he experienced is the result of a lack of a reliable father figure. If his father had been there for him during his childhood, Wes would have had a better life.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Chapter 4: Marking Territory-Theme Analysis
The themes in this chapter are drugs, life choices, importance of education, and role models.
Drugs:
"Tony had now spent over a decade dealing drugs and knew how much money could be made in the game." (Page 70)
Tony spent much of his childhood dealing drugs, and he was very knowledgeable about it. The fact that he knows so much about the drug dealing game demonstrates how common drugs were in the neighborhood. His longevity in the drug game shows how prominent drugs were for a long time, and that problem wouldn't be solved anytime soon.
Life Choices/ Importance of Education:
"Wes left the house and began to walk toward his girlfriend's place a few blocks over… Wes complained to her about his mother's abuse of his privacy." (Page 74)
Wes chose to interpret his mom finding his drugs as a lack of privacy. He did not think it was possible that it was a way of getting him to change. His mom wanted him to take a look at himself and change the path he was going down. She thought that getting rid of the drugs would motivate him to do that, but it didn't. Wes chose to keep dealing drugs instead of listening to his mother's warning, which contributed to him going down the wrong path. If he had stopped, his story might have been similar to the author Wes's story.
"The problem was that I wasn't showing up half the time. It's tough to do well in school as an eleven-year-old when your picking and choosing which days to go." (Page 76)
Here, the author Wes often skipped school and went back to the neighborhood when he was 11. This choice shows that he didn't value school as particularly important, which almost sent him down the wrong path. A lack of education and a life on the streets are often related, and the fact that he rarely showed up at school meant that he was very close to being a victim of the streets.
Role Models:
"Some days I would check into homeroom; other days I'd head directly back to the train and return to the neighborhood…My sister, always the loyal accomplice, never snitched." (Page 77)
The author Wes's sister, Shani, looked up to her brother, even though he was being a bad influence on her. Wes would decide each day whether or not he would go to school. If he didn't check into homeroom, Shani did not tell their mother or their grandparents. The fact that Shani didn't tell the family shows that she looked up to her brother no matter what he did.
"A few months earlier, Shani went out to play with one of the neighborhood girls, Lateshia, and came back home with her face covered in blood." (Page 77)
This quote is similar to the one above. Wes got involved in conflicts a lot as a kid, and was sometimes bloodied. Shani was jumping rope with several neighborhood kids, and a conflict broke out. She was on the receiving end of a punch to the face. This is very similar to Wes's experience. The presence of blood was so familiar in the household that she ended up getting bloodied as well. Since Wes was a role model to her, she got herself into situations where there was violence, just like Wes did.
Drugs:
"Tony had now spent over a decade dealing drugs and knew how much money could be made in the game." (Page 70)
Tony spent much of his childhood dealing drugs, and he was very knowledgeable about it. The fact that he knows so much about the drug dealing game demonstrates how common drugs were in the neighborhood. His longevity in the drug game shows how prominent drugs were for a long time, and that problem wouldn't be solved anytime soon.
Life Choices/ Importance of Education:
"Wes left the house and began to walk toward his girlfriend's place a few blocks over… Wes complained to her about his mother's abuse of his privacy." (Page 74)
Wes chose to interpret his mom finding his drugs as a lack of privacy. He did not think it was possible that it was a way of getting him to change. His mom wanted him to take a look at himself and change the path he was going down. She thought that getting rid of the drugs would motivate him to do that, but it didn't. Wes chose to keep dealing drugs instead of listening to his mother's warning, which contributed to him going down the wrong path. If he had stopped, his story might have been similar to the author Wes's story.
"The problem was that I wasn't showing up half the time. It's tough to do well in school as an eleven-year-old when your picking and choosing which days to go." (Page 76)
Here, the author Wes often skipped school and went back to the neighborhood when he was 11. This choice shows that he didn't value school as particularly important, which almost sent him down the wrong path. A lack of education and a life on the streets are often related, and the fact that he rarely showed up at school meant that he was very close to being a victim of the streets.
Role Models:
"Some days I would check into homeroom; other days I'd head directly back to the train and return to the neighborhood…My sister, always the loyal accomplice, never snitched." (Page 77)
The author Wes's sister, Shani, looked up to her brother, even though he was being a bad influence on her. Wes would decide each day whether or not he would go to school. If he didn't check into homeroom, Shani did not tell their mother or their grandparents. The fact that Shani didn't tell the family shows that she looked up to her brother no matter what he did.
"A few months earlier, Shani went out to play with one of the neighborhood girls, Lateshia, and came back home with her face covered in blood." (Page 77)
This quote is similar to the one above. Wes got involved in conflicts a lot as a kid, and was sometimes bloodied. Shani was jumping rope with several neighborhood kids, and a conflict broke out. She was on the receiving end of a punch to the face. This is very similar to Wes's experience. The presence of blood was so familiar in the household that she ended up getting bloodied as well. Since Wes was a role model to her, she got herself into situations where there was violence, just like Wes did.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Title Justification Essay #1
Many households in America are single-parent, which can have a negative impact on the child. In the first part of The Other Wes Moore, the book is centered on how both Wes Moores were raised. It talks about the absence of fathers and how they affected both of them in their choices and attitudes.The title of part one, "Fathers and Angels," is appropriate with the author's purpose because it demonstrates how important a father figure is in a household, and how the absence of such a figure can affect a family, which is the author's purpose in the first part of the book.
These effects of the absence of the father figure on the single mother left to raise the family and the child are demonstrated in the book. For example, after the author Wes' father died, he described the
effect it had on his mother. According to him, "People around us didn't think she was coping well with
her husband's death. They thought she needed help, not just in raising the kids but in raising her spirits." (Page 37) Wes' father played a big role in raising Wes and his siblings, and he set good examples for them. Wes' mother had his help in raising the kids.When he died, Wes' mother had to raise them by herself, and that was a burden for her. She constantly questioned herself about whether she could have prevented his death, which led to her going into depression. Her battle with depression completely changed how she was as a person. Also, the loss of his father affected his performance in school: "I knew [that I might be on probation], but... the problem was that they didn't understand my situation…my missing father, my overworked mother…"(Page 37) Normally, kids who have both of their parents around tend to do better in school because they have more motivation. It is easier to have two adults stressing the importance of education than it is for one person. Since Wes only had his mother around, he didn't have as much motivation. He used his problems at home as an excuse for not trying in school. This is how the absence of a father figure can affect a family.
The title of the collection of chapters matches up with the author's purpose by showing the effects of an absent father that can affect the family, as shown by Wes' mom going into depression. It is also demonstrated by Wes letting his grades slip. The absence of the father figures led to the family having to go on with their lives without them. They had a huge affect on the family as a whole. The amount of young men in particular that end up going down the wrong path often don't have an older male in their lives to emulate. Therefore, they don't know how to act, leading to them not having a sense of responsibility. This leads to them getting addicted to drugs and not being able to find a steady job.
Chapter 3: Foreign Ground-Theme Analysis
The themes in this chapter are drugs, poverty, life choices, and importance of education.
Drugs/ Poverty:
-"There was so much money to be made that drug gangs rapidly expanded their ranks, sucking in some of our best friends…" (Page 51)
The author Wes is living in the Bronx at this point in the book. Drugs were very common in the Bronx, and this quote demonstrates that. It shows that Wes was constantly surrounded by drugs, and he faced the danger of getting involved with them wherever he went. Several of his friends were sucked in by the drug dealers, which shows that it was very difficult not to become a drug dealer.
-" Every week I sat down to create a schedule for my clothes. I had three 'good' shirts and three 'good' pairs of pants. I would rotate their order, mixing and matching so that each day I had on a fresh combination." (Page 52)
This quote falls under the theme of poverty. Wes was unable to afford clothes that would be "good" enough to wear to school. He wanted to fit in, and he realized that he was poorer than many of his peers. The fact that he rotated his clothes showed that he didn't want his peers to know how poor he was. He only wore the shirts and pairs of pants he deemed acceptable to wear in order to fit in, since he couldn't afford other clothes that would allow him to fit in with his peers.
Life Choices/ Importance of Education:
- " ...I began to let my grades slip. Disappointed with Ds, pleasantly satisfied with Cs, and celebratory about a B, I allowed my standards at school to become pathetic." (Page 54)
This quote falls under the theme of life choices. He allowed his grades to slip, which started him on a downhill path. His decision to stop trying in school meant that he started down the wrong path, prompting his mom to send him to military school. If he had not been sent to military school, that decision could have destroyed his future. It also falls under the importance of education by showing that education was his only way out of trouble.
-"After hearing more details, Wes was sold. It seemed like a sweet setup. Simply wear a headset, hang out with new friends, notify people when you see police coming, and get paid at the end of the day." (Page 58)
This quote also falls under life choices. This incident marked the start of his involvement with drugs. If he had not accepted the offer, he would not have gone down the path that he had. Even though he was only looking out for police, he eventually started to actually sell drugs. The choice that he made ultimately affected the rest of his life, and it led to him going to prison.
-"Later in life I learned that the way many governors projected the number of beds they'd need for prison facilities was by examining the reading scores of third graders." (Page 54)
This quote mainly falls under the importance of education because it shows how the government measured the number of people who would need assistance or who would go to prison when they got older. If the scores were low, it showed that those students were likely to go down the wrong path. The higher the score, the less likely it was that a student would go down the wrong path. Education was a child's ticket out of trouble.
Drugs/ Poverty:
-"There was so much money to be made that drug gangs rapidly expanded their ranks, sucking in some of our best friends…" (Page 51)
The author Wes is living in the Bronx at this point in the book. Drugs were very common in the Bronx, and this quote demonstrates that. It shows that Wes was constantly surrounded by drugs, and he faced the danger of getting involved with them wherever he went. Several of his friends were sucked in by the drug dealers, which shows that it was very difficult not to become a drug dealer.
-" Every week I sat down to create a schedule for my clothes. I had three 'good' shirts and three 'good' pairs of pants. I would rotate their order, mixing and matching so that each day I had on a fresh combination." (Page 52)
This quote falls under the theme of poverty. Wes was unable to afford clothes that would be "good" enough to wear to school. He wanted to fit in, and he realized that he was poorer than many of his peers. The fact that he rotated his clothes showed that he didn't want his peers to know how poor he was. He only wore the shirts and pairs of pants he deemed acceptable to wear in order to fit in, since he couldn't afford other clothes that would allow him to fit in with his peers.
Life Choices/ Importance of Education:
- " ...I began to let my grades slip. Disappointed with Ds, pleasantly satisfied with Cs, and celebratory about a B, I allowed my standards at school to become pathetic." (Page 54)
This quote falls under the theme of life choices. He allowed his grades to slip, which started him on a downhill path. His decision to stop trying in school meant that he started down the wrong path, prompting his mom to send him to military school. If he had not been sent to military school, that decision could have destroyed his future. It also falls under the importance of education by showing that education was his only way out of trouble.
-"After hearing more details, Wes was sold. It seemed like a sweet setup. Simply wear a headset, hang out with new friends, notify people when you see police coming, and get paid at the end of the day." (Page 58)
This quote also falls under life choices. This incident marked the start of his involvement with drugs. If he had not accepted the offer, he would not have gone down the path that he had. Even though he was only looking out for police, he eventually started to actually sell drugs. The choice that he made ultimately affected the rest of his life, and it led to him going to prison.
-"Later in life I learned that the way many governors projected the number of beds they'd need for prison facilities was by examining the reading scores of third graders." (Page 54)
This quote mainly falls under the importance of education because it shows how the government measured the number of people who would need assistance or who would go to prison when they got older. If the scores were low, it showed that those students were likely to go down the wrong path. The higher the score, the less likely it was that a student would go down the wrong path. Education was a child's ticket out of trouble.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Chapter 2: In Search of Home-Theme Analysis
In Chapter 2, the themes are role models, life choices, crime, and mentoring.
Life choices/Crime:
-"People who lived in Murphy Homes felt like prisoners, kept in check by roving bands of gun-strapped prisoners…This was where Tony chose to spend his days." (Page 27)
Wes's brother, Tony, lived with his father. Their residency was not an ideal one, as it could get violent there. The fact that so many of the teens there had guns shows that crime was not uncommon in that place. Violence could occur at any given moment. The fact that Tony chose to stay in that place falls under the theme of life choices because it influenced how he was brought up. He chose to be around violence, which meant that he would get into trouble when he was older.
-"Fear and apathy had become the new norm in what had once been a close-knit community."(Page 40)
After the author Wes and his family moved to New York, their grandparents told them about the problems that had surfaced for a while. Many people were getting killed in shootings around the neighborhood, putting everyone on edge. The increasing crime rates instilled fear in the community. This shows that anyone with a gun can cause the community to look out for each other in order to stay safe. The fear can bring everyone closer together.
Role models/Mentoring:
-"His brother…was the closest thing Wes had to a caretaker during the daylight hours and was fiercely protective of the little brother who idolized him." (Page 26)
Tony was the other Wes' role model and mentor. He called Wes to check on him numerous times. His desire to maintain contact with Wes shows that he wanted the best for him. Wes learned how to react in certain situations from him, which is a key responsibility of a mentor. Mentors are protective of their mentees, but at the same time, they give them advice, which is what Tony did.
-"Tony… was desperately trying to give his little brother information he thought he needed, the kind of information Tony never got." ( Page 27)
This quote is related to the one above. Tony was constantly advising Wes on how to act and stand up for himself. He wanted to make sure that Wes went down the right path. This shows that he cares about what type of person Wes would turn out to be. He wanted Wes to turn out to be a better man than he was. Tony never received advice on how to act, but he was trying to make sure Wes got that information so he would have a better life.
-"If [Wes] ever slackened, Tony would pull an exhausted Wes to the side… and say, 'Rule number one: If someone disrespects you, you send a message so fierce that they won't have the chance to do it again.' It was Murphy Homes law and Wes took it to heart." (Page 33)
Sometimes, Wes and his friend Woody would go to the Murphy Homes and practice fighting with some of the other boys while Tony supervised it. The fact that Tony said to send a message if someone disrespected him showed how much of a mentor he was. However, given how much Wes looked up to Tony, it might not have been the best thing to say. Wes took it to heart, and he would carry that piece of advice with him for the rest of his life. It led to him attempting to attack one of the neighborhood boys with a knife and getting arrested for that. That piece of advice shows that Wes learned that he had to retaliate if someone started a fight.
Life choices/Crime:
-"People who lived in Murphy Homes felt like prisoners, kept in check by roving bands of gun-strapped prisoners…This was where Tony chose to spend his days." (Page 27)
Wes's brother, Tony, lived with his father. Their residency was not an ideal one, as it could get violent there. The fact that so many of the teens there had guns shows that crime was not uncommon in that place. Violence could occur at any given moment. The fact that Tony chose to stay in that place falls under the theme of life choices because it influenced how he was brought up. He chose to be around violence, which meant that he would get into trouble when he was older.
-"Fear and apathy had become the new norm in what had once been a close-knit community."(Page 40)
After the author Wes and his family moved to New York, their grandparents told them about the problems that had surfaced for a while. Many people were getting killed in shootings around the neighborhood, putting everyone on edge. The increasing crime rates instilled fear in the community. This shows that anyone with a gun can cause the community to look out for each other in order to stay safe. The fear can bring everyone closer together.
Role models/Mentoring:
-"His brother…was the closest thing Wes had to a caretaker during the daylight hours and was fiercely protective of the little brother who idolized him." (Page 26)
Tony was the other Wes' role model and mentor. He called Wes to check on him numerous times. His desire to maintain contact with Wes shows that he wanted the best for him. Wes learned how to react in certain situations from him, which is a key responsibility of a mentor. Mentors are protective of their mentees, but at the same time, they give them advice, which is what Tony did.
-"Tony… was desperately trying to give his little brother information he thought he needed, the kind of information Tony never got." ( Page 27)
This quote is related to the one above. Tony was constantly advising Wes on how to act and stand up for himself. He wanted to make sure that Wes went down the right path. This shows that he cares about what type of person Wes would turn out to be. He wanted Wes to turn out to be a better man than he was. Tony never received advice on how to act, but he was trying to make sure Wes got that information so he would have a better life.
-"If [Wes] ever slackened, Tony would pull an exhausted Wes to the side… and say, 'Rule number one: If someone disrespects you, you send a message so fierce that they won't have the chance to do it again.' It was Murphy Homes law and Wes took it to heart." (Page 33)
Sometimes, Wes and his friend Woody would go to the Murphy Homes and practice fighting with some of the other boys while Tony supervised it. The fact that Tony said to send a message if someone disrespected him showed how much of a mentor he was. However, given how much Wes looked up to Tony, it might not have been the best thing to say. Wes took it to heart, and he would carry that piece of advice with him for the rest of his life. It led to him attempting to attack one of the neighborhood boys with a knife and getting arrested for that. That piece of advice shows that Wes learned that he had to retaliate if someone started a fight.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Chapter 1: Is Daddy Coming with Us?-Theme Analysis
The themes in the opening chapter of The Other Wes Moore are drugs, absent fathers, and the importance of education.
Importance of education:
-"When Mary told her mother that she was pregnant, at age sixteen, Alma said, 'I don't care! You are going to finish school and go to college!'"(Page 21)
Alma viewed education as extremely important because she had not been able to go to college herself, and she knew that education opened the door to many opportunities. Her response to her daughter's news reinforces this belief. This shows that she wants Mary to make sure that she is able to get an education despite the pregnancy. Education would ensure Mary of a better life, both for herself and her kids.
-"Mary was the first of the kids to leave home. Education was her escape in more ways then one." (Page 23)
This quote builds on the last one a little bit. Mary left college after Alma died. She went to get a college degree not only for herself, but for the rest of the family, since she was the first one to go to college. When Moore says that "Education was her escape in more ways then one," he means that Alma was leaving not only the memory of her mother's death, but also her alcohol addicted father. She saw education as her ticket to a better future.
Drugs/ Absent fathers:
-"Nikki took his death worse then the rest of us…because her biological father, Bill changed abruptly after my father died… After my father died, Bill no longer called, wrote, or bothered to check up on her." (Page 15)
Prior to the death of Wes, her stepfather, Bill had kept in touch with Nikki. Even thought he wasn't physically present, he still called her and wrote to her. After Wes's death, however, Bill dropped out of her life. He wasn't calling her or writing her. Nikki needed Bill to replace Wes as the father figure in her life at the time she needed it most. The fact that he failed to do so shows that he really had no interest in being involved in his daughter's life.
-"Bernard hadn't found a steady job. He spent most of his time searching for himself at the bottoms of liquor bottles. Mary was left with two alcoholic, abusive men who shared the DNA of her two children but no husband or dad for her boys." (Page 23)
This quote is relevant to the themes of both drugs and absent fathers. Bernard's addiction was a huge problem. The fact that he couldn't find a steady job contributes to him being absent from his child's life because he was not contributing to the family's income, which would improve his child's life. Most of his time was spent drinking, so he spent no time around his family or working. This caused him to be absent from his child's life.
-"As the years passed, Joy kept hoping that Bill's alcohol and drug use would fade…They had a child together. She hoped that would motivate Bill to make some changes. But his addiction just got worse…"(Page 9)
Like Bernard, Bill struggled with addiction. Joy thought that the responsibility of raising a child would motivate him to seek help, but it didn't. Instead, it worsened the addiction. This shows that Bill had no interest in being involved in his daughter's life. He did not want to shoulder the responsibility of being a parent, therefore he drank in order to forget about it. If he cared about his daughter, he would have gotten help in order to get sober, which would show his desire to raise her, but he didn't.
Importance of education:
-"When Mary told her mother that she was pregnant, at age sixteen, Alma said, 'I don't care! You are going to finish school and go to college!'"(Page 21)
Alma viewed education as extremely important because she had not been able to go to college herself, and she knew that education opened the door to many opportunities. Her response to her daughter's news reinforces this belief. This shows that she wants Mary to make sure that she is able to get an education despite the pregnancy. Education would ensure Mary of a better life, both for herself and her kids.
-"Mary was the first of the kids to leave home. Education was her escape in more ways then one." (Page 23)
This quote builds on the last one a little bit. Mary left college after Alma died. She went to get a college degree not only for herself, but for the rest of the family, since she was the first one to go to college. When Moore says that "Education was her escape in more ways then one," he means that Alma was leaving not only the memory of her mother's death, but also her alcohol addicted father. She saw education as her ticket to a better future.
Drugs/ Absent fathers:
-"Nikki took his death worse then the rest of us…because her biological father, Bill changed abruptly after my father died… After my father died, Bill no longer called, wrote, or bothered to check up on her." (Page 15)
Prior to the death of Wes, her stepfather, Bill had kept in touch with Nikki. Even thought he wasn't physically present, he still called her and wrote to her. After Wes's death, however, Bill dropped out of her life. He wasn't calling her or writing her. Nikki needed Bill to replace Wes as the father figure in her life at the time she needed it most. The fact that he failed to do so shows that he really had no interest in being involved in his daughter's life.
-"Bernard hadn't found a steady job. He spent most of his time searching for himself at the bottoms of liquor bottles. Mary was left with two alcoholic, abusive men who shared the DNA of her two children but no husband or dad for her boys." (Page 23)
This quote is relevant to the themes of both drugs and absent fathers. Bernard's addiction was a huge problem. The fact that he couldn't find a steady job contributes to him being absent from his child's life because he was not contributing to the family's income, which would improve his child's life. Most of his time was spent drinking, so he spent no time around his family or working. This caused him to be absent from his child's life.
-"As the years passed, Joy kept hoping that Bill's alcohol and drug use would fade…They had a child together. She hoped that would motivate Bill to make some changes. But his addiction just got worse…"(Page 9)
Like Bernard, Bill struggled with addiction. Joy thought that the responsibility of raising a child would motivate him to seek help, but it didn't. Instead, it worsened the addiction. This shows that Bill had no interest in being involved in his daughter's life. He did not want to shoulder the responsibility of being a parent, therefore he drank in order to forget about it. If he cared about his daughter, he would have gotten help in order to get sober, which would show his desire to raise her, but he didn't.
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