Baltimore Language Analysis

There were no riots or protests in Baltimore

By Lidia Solorzano

The streets were peaceful and ordinary, equivalent to any other Tuesday in Baltimore. The crime rate remains stagnant but to try to improve the crime rate Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said "Too many people have spent generations building up this city for it to be destroyed by thugs--who in a very senseless was-- retrying to tear down what so many have fought for,". Businesses remain successful in areas but some, like in any other city have been looted. Officers remain healthy although there is the occasional occurrence when an officer has been wounded but his or her condition has not been critical. School has continued following Freddie Gray's funeral and justice will be served in a court of law. Therefore there have not been any riots or protests in Baltimore. 

The average amount of arrests per day among high school students has not changed. Officers have been treated with respect among the people of Baltimore. Recently, there have not been any severe casualties among officers. Criminal affairs have been dealt with and the Officers of baltimore have control of the situations at hand. 

There was an fire that seems to be the outlier to the normal Tuesday that went on in Baltimore. Despite this fire the building was not open so there were no casualties or financial losses. The fire is under investigation but it seems to have been a strange coincidence. 

Due to the mediocre state of the city there obviously has been no intervention of other government organizations. Curfew has not been permanently changed. 

The threat of gangs has always been a problem for officers. Therefore there is no change in the threats the gangs make in response to Freddie Gray's funeral. The credible threat to 'take out' law enforcement officers persists as usual. 

Law enforcement officers have the situation in the crime in Baltimore under control and would not need assistance and additional units because there have been no protests and riots in Baltimore. As said by Hogan "looting and acts of violence in Baltimore will not be tolerated" "these acts will be prosecuted under the fullest extent of the law". Since it is the law enforcement's job to bring justice to crimes committed, it is safe to say that business is usual in the city of Baltimore. 

The funeral of Freddie Gray has been peaceful. Freddie Gray died from a fatal spinal cord injury which as far as people know has not been related to his arrest. There were no riots or protests in Baltimore

Othello Dramatic Reading

Link: Dramatic Reading

Statement of Intent

During Othello's monologue he is explaining how he will tell the officials of how he fell in love with Desdemona. During this monologue I paused during commas and line breaks, I also got a feeling of a rhythm throughout the monologue therefore when there was not a line break or a comma I just paused because it kept with the pulse of the poem. Additionally I put emphasis on adjectives that had a certain connotation. For example I put emphasis on the word "potent" because it is a strong word therefore it would need emphasis. I also tried to convey an honest and genuine tone. I did this because he is talking about the women he is deeply in love with therefore he would be serious and honest while talking to the officials, convincing them that he is in love with Desdemona. 

While going into character I realized the importance of the pathos and ethos rhetorical appeal. By becoming Othello I realized that by taking on a genuine tone it would appeal to the emotions of the officials and they would realize the sincerity of Othello's love for Desdemona. Additionally if officials saw this well respected man willing to open up his moments of intimacy and vulnerability, they would probably infer that he was being legitimate. During the process of discovering Othello's character, I also discovered how committed he was to being an honest, transparent man. Although this contributes to his own demise, Othello's genuine demeanor makes him a likable and relatable character throughout the play.  

Since the monologue was in the beginning of the play, it was mostly of the purposes of character development. It showed the honest, likable and genuine personality of Othello. Additionally it looks into the depth and passion of Othello's and Desdemona's love which in the end impacts both of them negatively. This monologue makes known the passion Othello has for Desdemona which helps Iago further develop his plan in getting revenge upon Othello. Due to their passion, when Iago lies and tells Othello Desdemona cheated on him he is crushed. Therefore his overwhelming passion for her will result in him murdering her. 

Othello Socratic Seminar Reflection

Overall, the socratic seminar was able to deepen my thinking on the text Othello by William Shakespeare. The seminar influenced my thinking by seeing certain things in a different point of view. For example, when people were talking about the significance of Emilia as a character it deepened my thinking on the how authors develop theme by creating complex characters. Additionally, the conversation of how the unit theme: Fate v. Free Will was important in the text also made me think more analytically about that controversial topic. The socratic seminar allowed me to question prior predispositions in the text as well as think about the deeper reason for literary tools in the respective text.

Many claims were made in the socratic seminar that I completely agreed with however, there were also some that in which I did not completely agree. The statement made by one of my peers that I most agree with is that Emilia was a symbol used to develop the theme of the nature of women versus their role. Before that statement was made I had not realized the full importance of Emilia. Although, now I realize that she was extremely important in developing subtle social conflicts in the book. One of the statements that I disagree with least is that Othello did not have a choice but to kill Desdemona. I understand their perspective, on the contrary I do that her murder could have been avoided. Their must be another more peaceful way in which people can settle things. I talked  quite a bit during the seminar, as a result I do not have that much more to say to any given claim in the seminar because I responded to most of the statements.

In the seminar many things were executed successfully. Everyone disagreed politely and did not say one thing was wrong or incorrect. People in the seminar were able to keep an open mind of each others' ideas. The questions and claims made did not make the conversation choppy or backtrack the conversation. The claims made were relevant to the statement beforehand. The questions that arose in the conversation pertained to the text and kept the flow of the discussion. Additionally we were able to touch on many topics and did not stay on one question for too long.

With these good comments to the conversation, there were also drawbacks. Due to the way we were split up there were many interruptions and it was hard for people to talk. This led to people not being able to participate as much as they had wanted. Some people had little or nothing to add to the conversation. This led to the same people talking for the majority of the seminar and other people being frustrated about what they did not have a chance to say.

The Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking: Chapter 7

1. All decisions have consequences 
"Life’s impermanence, I realized, is what makes every single day so precious. It’s what shapes our time here. It’s what makes it so important that not a single moment be wasted"
Wes introduces in this quote the preciousness of life and this also correlates with the development of the theme, all decisions have consequences. He is showing how important life is and not to waste it therefore living life to the fullest. This means that people should understand the importance of their decisions and how the consequences might waste their life. Therefore he is able to develop the theme and universally apply the importance of recognizing that every decision has a consequence. 

"Wes was tired. Tired of being locked up, tired of watching drugs destroy entire families, entire communities, an entire city. He was tired of being shot at and having to attend the funerals of his friends"
This quote is able to show the consequences of Wes's decision of becoming a drug dealer. It shows that even though he did benefit from the high income, he also was faced with violence, death and the destruction of families. This demonstrates how if people are not thoughtful in their decision making the repercussions can be irreversible. 

"The pressure was breaking Wes down. Alicia complained that he was not giving her enough money to provide for the kids they shared. Cheryl was now constantly calling him about wanting more time with the kids—which meant she wanted more money to take care of them"

This quote is able to show the consequences of Wes's decision of becoming a drug dealer. It shows that even though he did benefit from the high income, he also was faced with violence, death and the destruction of families. This demonstrates how if people are not thoughtful in their decision making the repercussions can be irreversible. 

2. People have the ability change their own fate
"Levy would be entering the Job Corps as a high school dropout but was hoping to leave with a general equivalency diploma (GED) and the skills to help him land a job as a hot-water-boiler repairman"
The quote shows how someone can change the path that they took. Although Levy was a high school dropout he still could pursue education and turn his life around. This then develops the theme of people being able to control their own fate. If people are committed and diligent they can change the course of their life for the better.

"His quick success had Wes thinking differently about his life. He proudly displayed his new diploma at home, excitedly mounting it one weekend in a frame he’d bought the week he received his test scores"
The quote develops the theme because it shows how Wes tries to change the course of his life. By joining the job corps, he is able to pursue higher education and has a chance of getting a better job. This shows how people can change their own fate. 

Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking: Chapter 6

1. Small decisions can dramatically change the course of ones life
"Wes found another option: he decided to make himself scarce"
The one decision to "make himself scarce" might seem small and insignificant but later it can lead to a change in ones course in life. Therefore the quote develops the theme because it gives an example of how a small decision can change ones fate. If Wes decided to not be involved in drugs anymore he probably would not have been in prison as he is today.

"Most of all, Woody thought about Wes, who had stopped going to school two years earlier"

During this part of the story, the quote demonstrates how different two lives can be based on decisions. Woody and Wes both started out in school and had similar living situations. Although Wes's decision to drop out eventually brought him to prison while Woody was able to graduate high school. At first the decision to drop out of high school might seem small but the change it can bring is evident in Woody's and Wes's life. Therefore this quote is able to develop the theme that small decisions can dramatically change the course of ones life. 

"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"
The quote shows how Wes has developed and changed for the better. Making the decision to stay at Valley Forge was able to reshape his path and change his course in life. Therefore the author is able to develop the theme of the consequences of small decisions by showing the path Wes Moore was able to take. 

2. The drug game can appeal to people in poor socio-economic situations

"Wes’s green jumpsuit hung over a glossy green T-shirt. His Gianni Brunelli shoes matched his outfit. Wes stayed fresh"

This is yet another way in which the theme regarding the appeal of the drug game is developed. It shows that drug dealers get nice clothes and 'stay fresh'. This shows that people without a lot of money can benefit drastically. This demonstrates another way that people would be inclined to become involved in drugs.

3. Fate does not lie entirely in one person's hands

"Justin was now spending his mornings with her at the hospital, his afternoons at school, then running to basketball practice and back to the hospital. His grades fell dramatically as the burden began to wear him down."
Justin in the beginning of the book was a good student and had his priorities straight. If his circumstances were constant he probably would have a stable fate that would be unchanging. However his extracurriculars and life at home are now bringing him down and although it was not his decision that made his grades go down, his other priorities are now conflicting with his academic success. In this sense the author is able to show how someone's fate can change due to things they cannot control.

Title Justification Paper #2

The first collection of chapters is titled Choices and Second Chances and directly correlates with the author, Wes Moore's, purpose of the book. Choices and Second Chances is able to introduce that there will be a divide in the two fates of the characters. The title is suited for the chances because  the collection of chapters highlights the consequences and importance of choices. In addition, the chapters also shows the importance of second chances and how ceasing those extra opportunities can dramatically change ones fate therefore it aligns with the authors purpose of showing how two fates so similar can end up extremely different.

In this collection of chapters, there were decisions made that greatly diverged the fates of the author and Wes Moore. Part one of the book, Fathers and Angels shows how these two boys were extremely similar regarding their circumstances. Therefore the author was able to show that the fate of both could also end up being the same. Although this was changed during the second part of the book because it introduced a major difference between both characters and that was that the author was sent to military school and Wes Moore got into drug dealing. This demonstrates that the choice of Wes to become a involved with drugs and the decision of the author's mother changed there paths completely. This shows how the word 'choices' is appropriate for this collection of chapters. 'Second Chances' is an appropriate part of the title because the author is given a second chance at a better life when his mother sends him to business school. The author is able to take advantage of this second chance and benefit greatly. However, when Tony gave Wes a second chance at getting out of dealing drugs Wes did not take advantage of that chance. This neglect of taking the second chance contributed to Wes Moore's imprisonment. By titling this collection of chapters Choices and Second Chances the author is able to effectively show the importance of decisions and the benefits of second chances which aligns with his purpose of showing how decisions can impact fates that seem so similar.

In conclusion, the title Choices and Second Chances is a good title of this collection of chapters. In the chapters both characters are faced with life changing decisions and second chances; the way they made choices and used second chances changed their destinies. The title coincides with the authors purpose which highlights the importance of decisions

Title Justification Paper #3

The first collection of chapters is titled Paths Taken and Expectations Fulfilled and directly correlates with the author, Wes Moore's, purpose of the book. Paths Taken and Expectations Fulfilled is able to introduce the consequences of the character's decisions and the paths they take sealing their fate. The title is suited for the chances because  the collection of chapters highlights how the decisions made in previous chapters determined their path taken in life.  In addition, the chapters also shows the importance of other peoples expectations and how they can affect someones life. Therefore it aligns with the authors purpose of showing how two fates so similar can end up extremely different.

In this collection of chapters, it shows the end product of the greatly diverged fates of both Wes Moores. Part one of the book, Fathers and Angels shows how these two boys were extremely similar regarding their circumstances. Although this was changed during the second part of the book because it introduced a major difference between both characters regarding their decision making. Lastly in the third part of the book the author shows how both characters ended up in consequence to the decisions that they made, the author being a successful military leader and Wes Moore being in prison. By titling this collection of chapters Paths Taken and Expectations Fulfilled the author is able to effectively show the contrasting consequences of decisions and how both which aligns with his purpose of showing the difference in paths taken although their fates that seemed so similar.

In conclusion, the title Paths Taken and Expectations Fulfilled  is a good title of this collection of chapters. In the chapters the characters finally take the different paths and fulfilled or disappointed people's expectations.  The title coincides with the authors purpose which highlights the contrast between their paths in the end however they started out the same.

Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking: Chapter 5

1. The nature of fate does not always lie entirely in one's hands.

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

The quote develops this theme because it shows how his mother turned Wes off of the track he was currently on. Therefore it demonstrates that somebody else can influence one's fate, if the author's mother had not sent him away then he probably would have become a criminal. The decision of the author's mother was one of the first signs of the diverging fates of the two Wes Moores. This shows that other people can influence someone's fate just as much as someone can influence their own fate. 

"My grandparents knew that I was at a crucial juncture in my life. These forks in the road can happen so fast for young boys; within months or even weeks, their journeys can take a decisive and possibly irrevocable turn. With no intervention—or the wrong intervention—they can be lost forever"

This quote also develops the theme of the responsibility of fate. It shows that even though the decisions of a person determine their own fate, other people can influence a fate of a person. During an important juncture in life, it is important that parental figures are their to guide the child. Without guidance, it would be hard for people similar to Wes to make the right decisions considering what is happening around them. This is why the decision of parents is so crucial to their children because it can either lead them to success or their own demise. 

2. Absent fathers can lead to their sons being absent as well.

"Wes’s nonexistent relationship with his father probably contributed to his seeming indifference about becoming a father himself. All he knew was his mom. He had no idea what his role would be in this new situation—he wasn’t even sure he had a role."

This quote develops this theme in the book the Other Wes Moore. It shows that with an absent father, the role of a father can be hard to figure out when starting a family. With the role being confusing, the cycle of absent fathers can easily continue. Additionally, the immaturity still present in new families like that of Wes will also mean that the fathers do not really understand the responsibly they hold

"And he wasn’t overly stressed about the responsibilities of fatherhood—he didn’t even know what that meant. But in some unspoken way, he did sense that he was crossing a point of no return, that things were about to get complicated in a way he was unequipped to handle"

This quote also develops the theme revolving around the cycle of absent fathers. Without a father to guide anyone, it can be hard to understand the situation of becoming a father. When a father never undertook their parental responsibilities  it can be hard for soon to be fathers to understand what their responsibilities are to their child. When they are confused about their responsibilities  they too can become absent fathers as well. Therefore the cycle of absent fathers can continue. 

3. The drug game can appeal to people in poor socio-economic situations.

"Wes’s athletic physique and laid-back style, combined with the obvious trappings of a kid with disposable income—a new pair of sneakers every day, brand-name clothes—made him very popular with the girls around town. "

This is yet another way in which the theme regarding the appeal of the drug game is developed. It shows that not only do drug dealers get nice clothes but they also become very popular with girls. This shows that people without a lot of money and might have poor social skills can benefit drastically. This shows another way that people would be inclined to become involved in drugs.

Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking: Chapter 4

1.  Adolescent decision making can lead to loss of opportunities.
"These incarcerated men, before they’d even reached a point of basic maturity, had flagrantly—and tragically—squandered the few opportunities they’d had to contribute productively to something greater than themselves."

This quote is a way that the theme of adolescent decision making gets developed. It shows that when in difficult circumstances people of a low maturity level tend to make bad decisions. These decisions cause many peoples incarceration including the imprisonment of Wes Moore. The problem is that the people in similar situations as Wes Moore do not have the proper guidance to make appropriate decisions. Therefore, the decisions they make might be beneficial in the short term but are truly devastating in the long term. Additionally since there is not enough parental guidance regarding their decisions, the circumstances in which they make the decisions can have extreme repercussions. This is how many people take small steps towards becoming criminals.

2. A role model's profession can be seen as more important than their guidance. 
"He knew why his brother felt obliged to warn him off. But it was clear that Tony himself didn’t have any better ideas or he would’ve made those moves himself. 

The quote shown is able to define one of the underlying themes of the Other Wes Moore. It shows that when someone is looks up to a role model they want to be just like them. Therefore when there are role models who have a bad background and want a better life for the people they are guiding, it can be hard seeing that they contradict what they are talking about. This is how the dynamic of Wes and Tony is; Tony wants more opportunities for Wes but since Wes looks up to Tony, he wants to be just like him. This makes guiding someone in the right direction difficult especially when the thing the role model does seems beneficial similar to how Wes sees drug dealing.

"Wes had to a role model. But the more he tried to be like his brother, the more his brother rejected him. The more he copied him, the more Tony pushed back. Wes wanted to be just like Tony. Tony wanted Wes to be nothing like him."

This quote is a perfect example who role modeling and guidance can completely backfire. Although Tony wanted the better than what he got for Wes, Wes wanted the complete opposite. This demonstrates that although role models want the best for the people they are guiding, those people being guided sometimes just want to be exactly like their role model, and that can be a bad thing.

3. The drug game appeals to many people in poor socio-economic circumstances.

"And the truth was, Wes now had more money in his pocket than he’d ever had before, which kept him outfitted in new clothes—including the two-hundred-dollar Cross Colours set now covered with grass stains and dirt."

This quote shows how the drug game benefitted Wes in the short term. It shows with dealing drugs, people can have a way to make easy money, fast. Therefore, people who do not have that much money to buy nice clothes or shoes will see the appeal of getting into drug dealing. This is another way in which people in the same circumstances as Wes take another step towards their own imprisonment. 

4. It is hard to not get involved into criminal activity when criminals were respected. 

"First off, Shea was one of the most respected young hustlers in the neighborhood. He was a worker, we all knew that—and while some of the kids were smart enough to be disgusted by what he did, other kids, even the ones who weren’t in the game, respected his position."

This develops the theme because it shows how drug dealers who were high up in the drug dealing pyramid where respected amongst the people of the neighborhood. This shows that if criminals are respected, people will be more include to participate in criminal activity due to the respect they eagerly seek. 

The Other Wes Moore Characterization Sonnets

The Other Wes Moore

Gone wast his father 

For his brother wast the role model he got 

Although the life of Tony did seem to falter 

Too busy was his mother to beest distraught 

Not there was his mother

When he came across her stash

He found something like no other

To make himself some cash

Important wast not school

But wast having the newest robes 

For greed was an important tool

Down into the drug game he goes

Dark is his future 

For it will be like the sewer

The Author 

Went did he to a white school

But lived he in the hood

Having old robes wast not cool

And going to Riverdale did not do him any good

Loving was his mother

Rushed home did he

For she loved him like no other

And the streets at night were nowhere to be 

Hard was being too rich or too poor

His personality was cleaved

He did not know who he was anymore

For it seemed he was suffocating whenever he breathed 

Confused was he

Though the clarity resided with his family

Title Justification Paper #1

The first collection of chapters is titled Fathers and Angles in the Other Wes Moore. This collection of chapters touches on the loss of fathers in the life of both of the Wes Moores. This title of Fathers and Angels is aligned with the authors purpose because it points out a similarity and a difference in both characters in the book. These similarities allow the reader to see how the circumstances were very similar in the lives of both Wes Moores. This aligns with the purpose to show how easily the Wes Moores positions in life could be reversed.

The title Fathers and Angels suits the collections of chapters in many ways as well as being aligned with the authors purpose. Fathers and Angels is a good title because in the chapters the author's father dies and the other Wes Moore finally is able to see his father for the first time. Therefore the topic of fathers is shown in the title as well as the chapters. Although the chapters both make it clear that both characters do not have fathers, the circumstances in each of the fathers absences is different. The authors father was gone involuntarily and he was thought of fondly, therefore he can be a role model and that accounts for the Angel part of the title. However the other Wes Moore's father was absent voluntarily, he did not contribute to the Wes Moore's family. This causes his father to be less of a role model and is a difference that contributed to the fate of the other Wes Moore.

In conclusion, Fathers and Angels is an appropriate title for the collection of chapters and it reflects the authors purpose. It shows that all absent fathers are fathers buts some can be angels like the author's father. Additionally it shows the reversibility of the two fates of the Wes Moores.

The Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking: Chapter 3

1. The drug game appeals to many people in poor socio-economic circumstances.

"He’d pleaded with his mom earlier in the week for an upgrade to his wardrobe. Tony, he complained, was wearing all the newest clothes and was now sporting a thick gold rope chain on top of it" 

This develops the theme of the appeal of the drug game because it demonstrates how it seems attractive to people in poor socio-economic situations like Wes. The quote shows that by getting involved with the drug game, one can get money to buy nice things. Although there are ways that people can make money, drugs is a way to get a lot of money fast. Therefore, it appeals to kids like Wes Moore who are sick of having beat up, low quality things and want a taste of what it would be like to be wealthier. 

"And he understood, faintly, how addictive that feeling could be, and how easy it would be to make some money off selling that feeling to people who needed it. As Wes placed the headset over his freshly cut fade and adjusted it, he remembered this story. The headset now fit perfectly. There was definitely money to be made"

This quote also is able to touch on how becoming involved with drugs can be appealing in situations like that of the character Wes Moore. The quote shows the convenience of the drug game, it demonstrates how easy it is to get involved and how the financial benefits of participating are immediate and attractive. Therefore it seems that if there are all these benefits, it would be stupid not to participate despite there being legal and safety issues. When people do not have what they want and there is an opportunity to get a lot of what someone wants people will take that opportunity and that is how the drug game is for many people in similar situations as Wes. 

2. Due to society's view of good schools, succeeding academically was difficult.

 "It was a sore spot. In the hood, your school affiliation was essential. Even if you weren’t running with the coolest clique, you still got some percentage of your rep from your school, and the name Riverdale wasn’t going to impress anyone"

This develops a the theme of society's view towards schools because it shows how good schools were regarded. This means that if someone was doing well in a good school they probably were not "running with the coolest clique" and due to how influential society is regarding adolescent decision making; it was hard to do well in school. The social pressures are very prominent in life therefore there is no motivation to succeed academically.

"I was becoming too “rich” for the kids from the neighborhood and too “poor” for the kids at school. I had forgotten how to act naturally, thinking way too much in each situation and getting tangled in the contradictions between my two worlds. My confidence took a hit... I began to let my grades slip"

This quote also exemplifies another way in which the theme of society's view of good schools makes succeeding academically difficult. It shows that with the social pressures, people will due whatever they can to fit in even if it will not benefit them in the future. This is how succeeding academically is challenging if the social pressure do not align with academic success which is a problem all over the world in developing locations.

3. Education affects opportunities in the future

"Later in life I learned that the way many governors projected the numbers of beds they’d need for prison facilities was by examining the reading scores of third graders."

This quote develops the theme because it gives evidence about how education can affect someone's opportunities in life. It implies that third graders with low reading scores will probably end up in prison. This shows that if one does not take advantage of their education, they could end up in prison or with very few options regarding a job or a house due to there lack of academic success. 

The Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking: Chapter 2

1. Less parental attention can lead to criminal activity

"Tony had started dealing drugs in those shadowy hallways of Murphy Homes before he was ten. By the time he was fourteen, Tony had built a fierce reputation in the neighborhood".

The author shows that since Tony's mom is working all the time, he has been involved with drugs. This reveals that when less parental attention is given, there is no one to apprehend them from doing bad things. This can cause perfectly good people to turn into criminals when proper attention is not given to them which is exemplified into Tony's situation.  

 "But the tough façade is just a way to hide a deeper pain or depression that kids don’t know how to deal with. A bottomless chasm of insecurity and self-doubt that gnaws at them."

This quote reveals that without proper attention of parents, kids can get insecure about themselves when nobody is there to reassure them. To cope with this insecurity they try to act tough instead of revealing their true feelings. Sometimes while putting up this façade, it can lead to violence which turn kids into criminals. This situation also revolves around the developing theme of less parental attention can lead to criminal activity because it demonstrates exactly how less parental reassurance can impact one's life negatively. 

2. Mentors usually want to give a better life for the person they are mentoring. 

"Tony, by contrast, was desperately trying to give his little brother information he thought he needed, the kind of information that Tony never got". 

The quote shows how Tony wants Wes to have a better start than he got when he was Wes's age. This develops the theme that mentors usually want to give a better life for the person they are mentoring because it shows that people want to give others a better chance than they ever got. It reveals that humans want to feel better about their mistakes by making sure other people do not commit the same mistakes. Therefore by showing people what and what not to do, one is living through that other person making them feel better about themselves and happy to see the person they mentored succeed. 

" 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."

This quote also develops the same theme in a similar sense. Tony had already dropped out of school and Mary mistakenly let that happen. Therefore to feel better about her mistake she makes sure Wes stays in school. This applies to the theme because it demonstrates how people learn from there mistakes and apply them by showing other people how not to make the mistakes that they made. 

3. Education affects the amount of opportunities one might have.

"He was a veteran of the drug game at eighteen. He’d graduated from foot soldier and now had other people working for him. School was a distant memory; Tony hadn’t seen the inside of a classroom on a regular basis since eighth grade."
This quote touches on theme of education affecting opportunities. Since Tony has not really been in school regularly since 8th grade and has been more committed in the 'drug game', his options further in life regarding a profession are limited. This develops the theme because it gives an example of someone limiting their choices. If one does not go on to further educate themselves, getting a a steady, well paid job will be tough. Without a good job financial situations can be hard and on will not move up economically throughout their lifetime. Therefore education affects opportunities.

The Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking: Chapter 1

Theme: Absent Fathers
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.”
The quote introduces the first main difference and similarity between the two both Wes Moores. The Wes Moore in prison is explaining that although they both have absent fathers, the circumstances in which they are absent are different. Therefore, the affect their absence has on their children is different. This helps develop the theme of absent fathers because it shows that both Wes Moores did not have fathers and there absence effected there growth differently.
2.  "'Every day. All the time,' I replied softly. I was having trouble finding my voice. It always amazed me how I could love so deeply, so intensely, someone I barely knew."
This quote elaborates on the absence of the author's father. This quotes shows that the author has shows remorse for his father's absence. This shows that the author's view of his father is different that the other Wes Moore's. His remorse for his father's absence develops the theme of Absent Fathers because in the author's case, his father's absence can be a motivation or inspiration for the author's success. However, the absence for the other Wes Moore's father affected him negatively. He had a lack of discipline and structure therefore leading to his incarceration.
3.“'Hey, Main Man, do you mind if I come in?'” I’m told that he had many terms of endearment for me, but Main Man is the one I remember."
This quote relates to the theme Absent fathers in many ways. This quote is from before the author's father became absent and it shows how his father cared for the author and the fact the the author's father died of sickness is how he involuntarily became absent. This healthy relationship of father and son develops the theme of Absent Fathers because it shows how if the father left a good impression on his children he can become a role model for them even in his absence. 

Theme: Single Mothers
1."The $6.50 an hour she was making at Bayview was enough to keep the balance of her tuition paid, the lights on, and the kids fed, as long as her Pell Grant was in place. But with that grant now eliminated, it wouldn’t be enough."
This part of the story touches on the hardship of single mothers. The other Wes Moore's mother was going to be able to go to college and be able to pay for everything regarding her family with financial help. Although without the financial help, her pursuit of education would have to stop. This helps develop the theme of single mothers. This quote touches on how hard it is for a mother to be able to move up in the world alone. This also creates an idea of an ongoing cycle of poverty. Without proper support, this single mother will not be able to keep her kids from getting into trouble because she has way too much on her plate. This exemplifies how the other Wes Moore became the criminal he is today
Theme: Poverty 
1. "The next day she called Johns Hopkins and let them know she was dropping out. That part-time job at Bayview would become permanent."
This quote develops the theme of poverty because it shows how the lack of money can affect what options one can have to move up in the world. The other Wes Moore's mom was receiving an education which can help get a better paid job. Although without the money she would not be able to afford anything. This develops the theme of poverty because poverty prevents the success that people rightfully deserve. This mother was on the right track to be able to support her kids even better than she already was. Although her unfortunate lack of money prevented her from doing so. This lack of money also is a catalyst for robberies which turns people into criminals similar to how the other Wes Moore turned out.