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.