short essay #2

                In the novel “The Other Wes Moore” the author also named Wes Moore describes the lives of two boys who despite their similarities take on two totally different life paths.  Well these boys grow and and even in their late teenage years begin to show clear cut differences in their lives. Wes who just like Wes 2 was originally facing problems with school and staying out of trouble is now excelling in military  high school while Wes 2 is a father, dropout and has faced jail time on numerous occasions. The reader can begin to make predictions and see how their life choices made as early as adolescents have a direct impact on their lives today. The title of Part 2: “Choices and Second Chances” directly applies to the growing divide between these two, and the authors purpose to show how a persons environment really determines how they grow as a person, and the type of life rules they follow.

                    Wes  just like Wes 2 really embraced the environment he was surrounded by. Like many other young men they were taught the rules of the streets. To never look people in the eye, never let someone disrespect you and most of all follow they rules or be punished. Joy (Wes's mother) understood that these rules would not help Wes to be successful, and made the very smart "choice" to give Wes a change in environment. This was Wes's second chance and even though he hated military school at first he quickly took advantage of his opportunities there and became the "youngest senior noncommissioned officer in the entire corps"in the short span of two years. Wes immediately noticed his different environment stating "It was a different psychological environment, where my normal expectations were inverted, where leadership was honored and class clowns were ostracized." This new environment was exactly what Wes and the many other young men his age (including Wes 2) needed to be successful. In comparison  to Wes, Wes 2 who  was recently releases from prison after only 6 months (very short for what he could have served)carried the rules of the streets with him and eventually dropped out of high school. Both Wes's got a second chance to get their lives together, but the two parallel biographies determined whether they took advantage or not. Wes 2 didn't have very high expectations for himself, excepted being arrested as routine and when he was angry reacted strongly and without thinking. Meanwhile Wes was finally beginning to understand that he had to live an honest life and think before he acts.

              In the end, the next three chapters show how “Choices and Second Chances” are only beneficial if a person understands how important they are. Many people need the help of a positive environment or people around them to make these decisions. This is shown through the differences between Wes and Wes 2. Both boys had potential to be great but will become very different people as a result of this difference.