The Other Wes Moore Character Analysis

In his book, “The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates,” Wes Moore (2011) tells a true story about two men from Baltimore who have identical names but have different outcomes in life. He also illustrates the similarities of their life’s situations when they were younger, the decisions they made in life and their impacts, and the roads they took that ultimately led them to where they are today.

"The chilling truth is that his story could have been mine... It's unsettling to know how little separates each of us from another life altogether (Moore XI)." The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore is about two men who have the same name, Wes Moore. Both grew up in similar areas, each made choices that lead to one spending life in jail and the other spent his being in the military. The Wes Moore's grew up in the 1970's-1980's. They both were poor with single mothers who worked day in and day out, and still struggled to be able to be above the poverty line. For each man there was one moment that changed the future of their life. In the book,The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore, the author explains the idea of poverty to develop the theme poverty can affect an individual negatively, but each action and decision a person makes can control whether his or her life is positive or negative.

“One name, two fates,” that what the author of the Other Wes Moore stated on the cover of his book. Two boys that were born in the same neighborhood in Baltimore, and had a difficult childhood since they both grew up fatherless. The coincidence was that the two boys were called Wes. They both shared a lot of similarities from living in a poor neighborhood and growing up in Baltimore street corners with their squads. However, their futures were completely different as one achieved the impossible and the other was a convicted murderer serving a life sentence. People may think that how could this happen since they both were living the same circumstances. However, in the book Wes Moore, the boys did not have equal opportunities in terms of parenting, education, and environment.

Throughout “The other Wes Moore”, The Wes’ were faced with surprisingly similar situations that were handled in very different ways. These situations were key turning points in each of their lives and shaped them into who they are. Even though each Wes had hardships in their environment and faced many trials and tribulations, ultimately, their choices during these times are what produced each Wes. Because of their series of different choices that each Wes Moore made during their lifetime and the outcome of their choices, we are not just products of our environments, but also products of the choices we make.

A person’s success or failure can be determined by their environment, education, choices; a number of different things. The autobiography The Other Wes Moore takes a look at two boys with the same name and eerily similar circumstances who end up in very different places in life. Wes Moore spoke at convocation about his book and what he hoped that people would get from it. In the book he says “The chilling truth is that his story could have been mine. The tragedy is that my story could have been his.” (Moore xi). These two men didn’t share the same fate because they each made a choice about what they wanted their life to become. The book truly demonstrates how the choices you make, make you. One Wes

“The Other Wes Moore” is a story that follows two boys with the exact same name who start off living very similar lives in Baltimore, Maryland. One of the boys live on to be an extremely successful man and the other one is living the rest of his life behind bars. The two men wondered how their strikingly similar path diverged into two completely different fates and then an argument formed. Are people products of their choices or their environment and expectations thrown upon them? The book proves that people are products of their choices. Both Wes Moores were raised by a single mom in the tough streets of Baltimore and they both were rebellious children who got arrested at a young age. Their similarities lessened as their choices and their mom’s choices contrasted. The more fortunate Wes was sent to Military school and he chose to make the most of it and become the best version of himself. His determination and hard work trumped his previous hooligan mindset, therefore his future was bright and fulfilling. The other Wes chose to follow his brother,

In conclusion, both Wes Moore’s had critical moments and different standpoints throughout the entirety of their lives. Though they both had individual accountabilities it was the choices that they individually made that ultimately determined there fates. “Wes and I stared at each other for a moment, surrounded by the evidence that some kids were forced to become adults prematurely. These incarnated men, before they’d even reached a point of basic maturity, had flagrantly-and tragically-squandered the few opportunities they’d

Many people would say we are all just products of our environment. For two young boys from Baltimore, this could not be truer. In “The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates,” written by Wes Moore, two fatherless, young boys growing up in the same neighborhood with the same name, end up on two entirely different paths of life. The author becomes a Rhodes Scholar, college graduate, veteran, and much more, while the “other” Wes gets deeply involved with the drug game and spends most of his life in trouble with the law. When these boys come from such similar backgrounds, how is it that they take such different journeys in life? The reason why one Wes Moore became mixed up with drugs and the law, and

“I sat back, allowing Wes's words to sink in. Then I responded, "I guess it's hard sometimes to distinguish between second chances and last chances"(Page 67). In "The Other Wes Moore" the environment of both Wes Moore's were completely different from each other. They both made some stupid decisions over time but who is perfect? It is expected of everyone to make some mistakes, in my opinion the main influence on their choices came from their environment. In their environment they had peers that would influence them to do things that they did not necessarily want to do. This caused them to get into trouble, but at the same token, their environment also gave them some opportunities to make it through some rough times. For Example: Wes #2

Two children named Wes Moore both dealt with “difficult childhoods” in Baltimore, states the back cover of The Other Wes Moore. From fatherless homes to trouble with the police, the Moores undoubtedly dealt with many struggles as they grew into adulthood. However, exactly what factor determined how one Wes Moore would go on to becoming a veteran and a business leader as well as venturing to places as the White House and Oxford, while the other Wes Moore spends the rest of his life in prison? What the two Wes Moores valued throughout their lives impacted their futures. This is because personal values are the most important factors in determining success or failure, as what a person treasures determine what decisions

In the book, The Other Wes Moore written by Wes Moore, shows us a glimpse into two men’s lives growing up in Baltimore in the late 70s. The entire memoir is based off of both of the Wes’ lives, significant stories, and events that lead them to the places they are today. This gives us a peek into how it was like to grow up surrounded by the war on drugs. Wes explains how he wasn’t so far from the other Wes and the chances of him having the same fate wasn’t so far fetched for a large chunk of his life.. We see drugs directly affect both of the boys from selling, to knowing someone addicted. Being around this was normal for both of them; it’s possible the reason the author escaped a similar fate because his mom worked for him to be removed from

The story the Other Wes Moore: One name Two fates by Wes Moore is about two boys who grew up in the same family situation without a father and in the same neighborhood. The two boys grew to live completely different lives, the other Wes Moore was given a life sentence for murder while Wes became a Wealthy businessman in Washington DC. The businessman Wes chooses the correct path culturally and socially unlike the other Wes. The Other Wes lived the life of stealing not because he wanted to but he had to to survive. The other Wes economically didn't have the support from his mother and

Children and young-adults look up to their parents for the hard choices they need to face and for support when needed. When a child is taught to make their own decisions, they can learn to be more independent in the future. According to Psychology Today, “Decision making is crucial because the decisions your children make dictate the path that their lives take.” To become a healthier and more mature adult, it is critical to a young person that they make positive judgement calls. In the novels, The Other Wes Moore and The Scarlet Letter, the authors focus on the point that children are greatly influenced by their parents to make the right choice. In The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester, the main character, has a child named Pearl who is considerably impacted by her mother. Pearl is compared to her mother using direct characterization and tone, but is also seen as more valuable than a symbol of disgrace. The same thing occurs in The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore. The author, Wes Moore, and the other Wes Moore both grew up in the same area with similar home situations, but they ended up taking different paths as adults. The author captures their similarities and disparity through the use of literary devices to bring about the idea that their parent’s decisions affect them. The direct characterization and tone present throughout The Scarlet Letter and The Other Wes Moore gives the message that the choices the parents make influence their children’s decisions in the future.

After a few weeks as interim principal, her mentor, Rick King, finds a pipe bomb at his school and had to evacuate the school. The news shook the community. All teachers, principals, and parents in the district were concerned it would happen again and consequently very vigilant. One morning, 20 minutes before school began, the principal walks outside and is met by

Kate finally convinces Jason and they leave the school building. Just then their parents pull up and calls out for them to come in the car. Just in time Kate thought. Jason has a different opinion he thinks they should have stayed and said hi. The next day Jason is proven right when Kate reports the incident to their principal Mr. Benjamin.