"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.
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