Chapter 2: In Search of Home

Life Choices/Poverty

                 In the second chapter "In Search of Home"  the reader can see what type of childhood both Wes' experienced and what most-likely will influence them the most later in life. Throughout this chapter I saw two common themes of Life choices and Poverty. 

Quote 1: "Tony hated the war and wanted Wes to do whatever he could to avoid it"(p.28)

-Tony the brother of Wes 2 could sense Wes 2 about to make similar life choices that he had made as a choice. This scared Tony because he knew these choices would lead to nothing but trouble. (Life choices)

Quote 2: "It was years before Wes's mom found out her son had been arrested...By the time she did,she had bigger things to worry about" (p.35)
-The one person who probably could have saved Wes and put him on the right path wasn't aware he needed help. These problems progressed and grew. (Life choices)

Quote 3: "Although I was intimidated, I called"next""(p.43)
-This choice to play basketball even though may seem non-significant was probably the best was for Wes to stay out of trouble. Playing basketball instead of being in the streets would most-likely help him later in life. (Life Choices)

Quote 4: "People who lived in Murphy Homes felt like prisoners" (p.27)
-Although the Murphy Homes were dangerous, many long time residents became very accustomed to this way of life. For example Tony didn't believe he had a chance to change his life. (Poverty)

Quote 5: "I heard my grandparents talk about how drugs and violence had slowly crept in."(p.25)
-Drugs and violence go hand in hand with poverty and made the mother uneasy because they were two things she desperately wanted her kids to keep away from. At such a young age Wes was naive to thee world around him.

             

Chapter 1: Is Daddy Coming With Us?

Mentoring/Absent Fathers

                 In the first chapter "Is Daddy Coming with Us?" By Wes Moore the reader is introduced to the early lives of both Wes Moore's and their family. Throughout this chapter I saw two common themes of Mentoring and Absent Fathers. 

Quote 1: "You must defend them, not fight them. Do you understand"(p.11)

-Wes' father Westley took Wes under his wing and gave him a foundation for the rest of his life. This calm and tender mentoring done by wes' father (especially when he did something wrong) would be the best thing for Wes. (mentoring)

Quote 2: "I tried to copy his walk, his expressions" (p.11)
-At a young age Wes lost his father but the  fact that memories such as this still remain with him show the large impact his fathers life had on him. This yearn to be just like his father probably never left him.(mentoring)

Quote 3: "Daddy, are you going to come with us"(p.16)
-Since Wes didn't fully understand death or what happened to his father. He would have to learn how to function and carry on the legacy of his fathers life without him. He probably wouldn't understand this fate until later on in his life. (Absent Fathers)

Quote 4: "Wes was the man of the house." (p.18)
-Wes #2 didn't even understand the concept of another man in the house. He knew about fathers but to him his job was to protect his mom. This rejection of a father figure in his life may affect him later in life. (Absent Fathers)

Quote 5: "when he saw someone he had never seen before."(p.25)
-Wes #2 would have never expected to meet his father that day. He may develop resentment towards his dad who was never there and once he is there is still drunk. (Absent Fathers)