KK Socratic Seminar Reflection #2

KK Socratic Seminar Reflection #2

The final Socratic Seminar that we had about Kite Runner was full of insight and knowledge that is always, never expressed when someone reads alone, and doesn't have a discussion with anyone. Such as something that I hadn't thought about before, such as the way that family and culture are stressed so heavily in this book. Such as the way that even when Amir and Baba com o America , along with other Afghans at the time, the culture they had was somewhat changed with their movement while much of it also remained the same. Such as the way that women would now go to work, but something that remained the same would be that thy still used the same type of tradition in getting married.

The statement that I agree with the most from the discussion would be the statement about the way that Baba was not cowardly in laving Afghanistan but that he was smart for what he did, and he did this to protect himself and his family. The thing that I disagree with the most would be the statement someone made about Amir never telling anyone about what he did. I feel that one day he will finally come to terms about what he did and explain his reasons for doing what he did.  And Maybe, just maybe he will finally forgive himself.

I think the thing that worked really well this discussion would be that everyone came prepared and it really seemed like a discussion, by the way that people actually disagreed with what other people had said and with this it just seemed like an actual seminar. 

Something that I would say we needed to work on would be that too many of the same people were consistently talking, and a lot of times people would get cut off in my opinion and it just seemed like that could have been avoided and will most likely be something to work on for next year.

Kite Runner Socratic Seminar Reflection #1

Kite Runner Socratic Seminar Reflection #1

Within the first socratic seminar of the amazing and attention grabbing Kite Runner, there were so many things explored in both seminars that I had not really thought about before that day. Such as the way that I never gave much thought to Amir and Baba's relationship. I had never truly thought that in depth into their relationship, and with this seminar I just felt that we covered everything that anyone would ever have a question about. Such as when the other seminar talked about the way that the father and son relationship between isn't very loving at all, which I knew but I never really read into it that far. I merely perceived it as they had different interests and Baba expected so much of Amir, but Amir just could never become that person he wanted, therefore they would never be able to get close and form the bond both of them longed for.

I think the thing that I agree with the most form the seminars would be when Nick C. said that he would rather have Baba as a father rather than Ali. There are just so many reasons that I would rather have Baba as a father than Ali, but to explain my reasoning I thought about the question logically and emotionally thinking, I am nothing like Amir so how am I to know that Baba would show me no love the way that he shows Amir. Amir is a coward, weak, child, and didn't seem that he would ever grow up, and take action. With Baba I feel that with his wealth and tough love, I would become and great man strong and willful, although at the same time nothing like Assef.

I think the thing that I disagree most with form the seminar would be when people said that they would rather have Ali as a father. Sadly and unfortunately I'm very socially uncomfortable and would be extremely embarrassed to have a father like Ali, aside form his many deformities, the man is weak and lacks initiative to better his life. Overall, the main reason that I would never want Ali as a father would be because he is a servant, which would make me a servant, and I could never be anyones servant, I am not only spiteful but also just lack patience and tolerance.

I think the thing that needs improvement in the seminar would be that there needs to no longer be any moments of dead silence and I want more controversy and debates. They just aren't fun if everyone agrees with everyone, I AGREE, I AGREE, I AGREE, can someone please have a different interpretation I almost took it upon myself to say I disagree with everyone to just give the conversation a little jolt of energy. Another thing we need to do better would be to make more questions that are emotional, I feel that for a book that is this thrilling and powerful we could have such a great seminar. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHARE MY THOUGHTS.

Socratic Seminar Preparation Sheet #4

Socratic Seminar Preparation Sheet #4

Summary

Within "Book Three" of 1984, Winston is taken by the though-police and tortured until he ultimately betrays his love, Julia. This then shows the police that he is now a full party member, and when he is released he lives his life only caring about the appreciation of Big Brother.

Level 2 Questions

1.Why does Winston start to love O’Brien even though O’Brien is the person that is torturing Winston?

Winston starts to love O’Brien because the pain that O’Brien inflicts on Winston is affecting Winston’s mind.  O’Brien has power over Winston so when O’Brien lessens the torture it makes Winston love O’Brien for not inflicting as much pain on him.  This plays to the reader’s emotions because how in the world could Winston love a person who is causing him to suffer, in answering this question I employed a PATHOS appeal, by the way I answer the question using emotion.

2. How might the Party have known of Winston's fear of rats?

I believe that it was when Julia betrays, Winston that she tells the thought police of his fear, in order to begin to control him, and torture him into becoming a full party member. In answering this question I employed both a LOGOS and PATHOS appeal, since I contrasted emotion and logic.

3. Based on what Obrien states to Winston, when he asks if Big Brother is alive, to you think Big Brother is truly alive?

I think that he is alive, because of the way that he responds, it seems that he was very peculiar and evasive in the way that he answers the question. In answering this question I used a LOGOS appeal, by the way that used logic to answer the question. 

4. What would be your biggest fear, that would be found in "Room 101".

My fear that would be found in this room, would be myself having to watch people die. I feel that this is something that is just absolutely chaotic and apocalyptic and I hope no one would ever have to watch this happen. In answering this question I used a PATHOS appeal.

5. With the book being broken into three parts, what is the significance of each part?

I feel that Book 1, would be the introduction the text and its characters and the story itself, while Book 2 further goes in depth to the story and shows the climax, while Book 3 shows the end result of the text and the resolution in a way. In answering this question I applied a LOGOS appeal, by the way I used logic to answer the question.

6.Why does the Party look to change the mindsets of its criminal rather than simply kill them?

As expressed by O’Brien himself, the party’s system ensures “…there are no martyrdoms.” The party wishes to completely suppress rebellion, and ensure that revolutionary thoughts die before the thoughtcriminals do. The danger of martyrdom is that it only encourages others to fight, and even die for their beliefs.

Level 3 Questions 

1. How powerful can a person be against the government?

I feel that one person alone, can sometimes be extremely powerful, especially if in a result of themselves rebelling or causing some type of chaos, they can cause others to join them in their fight. In answering this question I employed a LOGOS appeal, through the way that I used logic and analysis to answer the question.

2.When is it okay to betray someone you love?

I feel that it is never acceptable to betray someone, if the person has done nothing to harm you, the thing that people are always told is, "Do to others, what you would want done to you."

In answering this question I employed a PATHOS appeal, by the way I play on emotions.

3.How strongly is human emotion influenced by other people?

Without the influence of other human beings, things like love and pain cannot exist because they are impossible to apply to someone else.  Therefore, human contact is necessary for the development of emotion. In answering this question, I applied a emotional appeal by the way that I use emotion to answer the question completely.

Quotation Tracking

1. Pg : 248, "Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past, repeated Winston obediently. ”

2.Pg : 241, “The beatings grew less frequent, and became mainly a threat, a horror to which he could not be sent back at any moment when his answers were unsatisfactory.” 

Socratic Seminar Reflection #3

Socratic Seminar Reflection #3

This socratic seminar influenced my thinking on the way that love and affection is portrayed in this text. Most of my classmates talked instead about the relationship between Winston and Julia and the definition and veracity of love in the book's totalitarian society. This allowed me to think about 1984 in a more emotional way, and relate it back to my own life and the relationships I have both seen and experienced, instead of simply thinking about it in terms of similarity to historical events.

I think that the thing that i disagreed with most in the socratic seminars would be when someone said that they would rather live in the world of 1984, that just seems like an unbearable living that i would never want to subject my life to. Whereas the statement that I agree with the most would be when someone said that they believed that it was more than Julia and Winston attraction to each other, was because of their mutual hate for the party. I feel that this is greatly true by the way that, it seems that whenever they are together though they are constantly in intercourse it would seem that they genuinely care for each other. I don't feel that there is anything that I would have wanted to say during this seminar that I hadn't said.

I feel that thing that worked well in the seminar would be the way that before Ms. Hunter came, the conversation just went more fluidly. It just seemed that people were less focused on the points, and just felt that there was a regular conversation going on. This was shown by the way that there were more opinions and emotional appeals shown because people were just stating what they though about the text, without feeling that they had to analyze in depth or even back their answers up with any evidence, but that they could just say what they wanted to say without being graded or ridiculed. this is truly the way that the seminars should be.

I think that one good way to change this would be to include more level three questions in the discussions, so that even students who didn't have the chance to read the selection or didn't understand it fully would be able to get some points and participate in the conversation. Such as the way that I know a certain person wasn't able to fully complete their work, because they were focused on reading there independent novel and 1984 while doing the work for both. this may and will probably be a thing that is evident all the future seminars, but it is also something that might be inevitable.

Socratic Seminar Reflection #2

Socratic Seminar Reflection #2

The seminar influenced the way I thought about the right for people to have privacy. After having the seminar, I found myself asking many questions relating to this subject. How much privacy is one allowed? At one point does supervision become a violation of privacy. One thing said in the seminar which I hadn’t thought of in depth before was how Big Brother could possibly not be a real person, and that he might just be a figure head of power that had died many years ago, but was still used to influence the minds of others.

I agree with the statement that the proles could defeat the police. I agree with this because the book says the proles overpower the police in numbers. The proles make up 85% of the population and do not have they don't have tele screens, which would allow them to plot and plan without fear of being seen or viewed by the Thought Police. During this Socratic seminar, I did not find any statements that I disagreed with as it seemed as though everyone was in agreement with each other, and most of the discussion was spent using historical examples and evidence from the text to back up the popularly held opinion. In fact, I think that something we should work on is ensuring that there are more "controversial" topics brought up during the seminar in order to provoke meaningful discussion where we can learn from each other, instead of reiterating the same information and points of view that everyone already agrees on. I do have something I would have wanted to say, I would have wanted to give a quote to the group and see there responses to it.

I think the thing that constantly works well throughout the seminars, is the way that our discussion leaders consistently try to get everyone into the discussion. Even if a person wasn't exactly fully prepared, everyone tries to find a way to get them well involved into the discussion. Such as whenever Tyree or Li, don't try as hard as others to insert themselves into the discussion. We all try our hardest to get them involved and to make sure they get their points.

I think the thing that still and will need work on for these seminars is for there to be more question that are somewhat controversial and will spark different opinions, because I feel that at times the people who aren't talking are the people with the contrasting ideas, and I feel that it would be great to hear these ideas.

Socratic Seminar Reflection #1

Socratic Seminar Reflection #1

The Socratic Seminar as a whole was something that allowed my understanding of the text to be extremely influenced. It allowed me to see how others thoughts about the text, and also see how they analyzed certain scene, and or explain what they thought was symbolized through key events and figures. It helped me to see that there is more to offer in this book than just a story about a dystopian rule, but that with the state of society in 1949 Orwell thought that this was where the society was headed. When Lina went more in depth about the children in the book of 1984. Someone asked about whether our generation was going down the same path that the children in 1984 were on. I hadn't before then ever thought that maybe this could have been a possibility.

One statement that I agreed with was that 1984 was based off of the totalitarian regimes during World War II. I thought that the book was based off of the totalitarian regimes such as the ones in Germany, Russia, and Spain, especially since Orwell wrote the book shortly after World War II, Animal Farm. I just feel that Orwell like to use a lot of symbolism as a writer, to often get a certain reaction in people. The statement that was said that I agree with the least, was when someone started to explain that they felt that the use of too much power can't lead to an end to societies. While I think that this is very possible do to the masses feeling overpowered, and wanting to rise up in an effort of rebellion.

I think the thing that worked the best in the seminar was the fact that mostly everyone came well prepared with great discussion questions, which allowed everyone to participate and give their opinion on subjects. I feel that also the use of rhetorical appeals was very well, though we used the same ones, I feel that we did well, due to the fact that it was our first time, and I feel that like overtime we will be great at using rhetorical appeals.

The thing that I feel could have been better in our seminar would be the flow of the discussion, I just feel that it didn't feel real. It didn't seem that people were just trying to get points, its just that I don't feel it was good. Maybe it was who was the discussion leader, and the way that he did everything Ms. Hunter said not to do, but I just feel it could have been so much better, especially with the great questions and people within our discussion.

Othello Dramatic Reading Words and Actions Video

Othello Dramatic Reading Words and Actions Video 

Statement of Intent

Over the course of producing my dramatic reading I thought that it would be best to see how others have portrayed Iago in many other self productions, with countless broadcasts of the comical aspects of Iago, I choose to do a more riddled and questionable tone. This then apples to a more emotional approach which would lead the viewer to more suspense of what's to come in the following scenes. I utilized pauses in my reading, also to evoke a mysterious and dark nature, which also showed what I felt was Iago's tone was during this soliloquy.

From becoming the character that is Iago, I found that you truly do become a dark and malicious person when you have to reenact the same parts of any type of dramatic text constantly, to a point when you feel that you are no longer playing a part, but evoking something that is now a part of you and is slowly rising to the surface. I also learned that it is truly not easy to just say lines, but that you truly have to use specific tones and utilize pauses to convey what you want an audience to feel.

I feel that the soliloquy that I choose is something, truly gave the reader a key insight into the character that is Iago, with showing that he is not only conniving and malicious, but that he truly thought out the steps to take before executing his ideas in his master plans. This soliloquy showed how he would develop the plot into its climax, and how he would use many events to further complicate situations "from behind the curtains" in the same way that a puppet master does. I feel that with my effective use of pauses and shifting tones, I effectively furthered the conflict as did Iago, with increasing the mystery and suspense.

Chapter 8 : Surrounded ~ 2000 and Title Justification Essay #3

Chapter 8 : Surrounded ~ 2000 : Theme Tracking 

Quote 1 :  "Y’all know there is a reward for Tony and Wes if you just tell us where they are.  It’s a lot of money.  You sure you don’t need that money?’”
Analysis : This quote shows a police officer bribing some of Wes’s friends and family assuming their disadvantaged financial situations.  It illustrates a gap between the rich and the poor in Baltimore, and shows that richer people, such as the cop, believe that they can exploit the lower classes.


Quote 2 :  “The truth is that there are two Baltimores.  Almost every other major city in this country leads the same double life.  Those who brag about Baltimore often ignore these substandard areas.  Yet these were the areas Mayor Schmoke knew would determine his legacy of success or failure.”
Analysis : This quote explains how Baltimore and other U.S. cities are divided between a rich and middle class section and a poor, less developed section.  The quote shows that it is crucial to integrate these areas, especially under a political leader such a Schmoke, so that all of the people in a city can thrive.


Quote 3 :  "Two masked men had run into J-Browns Jewelers waving guns at the customers, ordering them to the ground. Costumers screamed in fear and quickly followed the orders as two more masked men entered."
Analysis : The crimes revealed here demonstrate the affect of the convict over the victim. Wes' life drastically changed from the beginning of crime as a drug dealer to something more grand of trouble. Since this crime was going to be Wes' last job on the streets, I suppose his motivation was to go hard or don't do it at all. He rather go all out for it with his brother because he knows it's going to end bad anyways.


Quote 4 : "Crime in Baltimore and its suburbs had spiraled out of control, particularly in the city proper." 
Analysis: This quote shows how crime in Baltimore has escalated to another level. The author chose to write this to tell the reader how Wes' life in Baltimore has become very dangerous. This is a serious issue that should have been dealt without Wes involved. Never should he have associated himself with the wrong crowd because it started upheavals in Baltimore affecting other people. 

Quote 5 :"Look, I just found out that my sons are wanted for killing a police officer. If I find anything out, I will tell you, and I will cooperate however I can."
Analysis: The author demonstrates here how the crimes have grown much dangerous that not only has he brought himself down, but he's gotten his mother involved as well. He should have stopped while he had the chance and take the opportunity to be out the drug game. Instead the drug game influenced him to participate in even worse crimes such as murder. He could have at least left his family out of it, but then he starts conflict for her mother with the police.

Title Justification Essay

The third and final part of the book is entitled " Paths Taken and Expectations fulfilled".  This part of the book was very dramatic and filled with many life choices that would dramatically change the life of the characters forever, whether that be bad or good. From the beginning, the reader knows the fates of the two Wes Moores, but they are intrigued on how their lives will play out.  While chapter seven breezes over author Wes’s military recognition and the other Wes’s return to drugs, chapter eight is when the final life-altering murder occurs and the other Wes is sentenced to life in prison.I believe Wes Moore entitled this part of the book "Paths Taken and Expectations fulfilled" because he wants to show the true way that our choices shape out lives, no matter how big or small.

For "Paths Taken"  I believe the author means what the characters  chose to do with their lives. For example, Author Wes chose to continue with his life in the military momentarily, until going to college and working with the mayor of Baltimore. Now he is bettering his life. Unlike the other Wes Moore. For him life is going poorly. He has four kids and two baby mother and is min jail for the robbery and will be for the entirety of the rest of his life . Trying to better his life always ends up ruining it. Committing murder and getting jail for life was a great example of "Paths Taken", for "Expectations Fulfilled" it is a different story. In a way it is shown that both of the Wes Moores' have met someone's expectations whether they were great aspirations that were expected from a teacher or mentor, to the expectations of a person who saw the very worst in them. Overall, I feel that the  author used the appropriate title for this collection of chapters, due to the content within them. 

The third part of the book "Paths Taken and Expectations fulfilled" was a powerful part of the book due to the fact that we were able to see character development to its full potential. We are able to see, as readers, how the characters became who the are they are today, and get to see how the story ends. These few chapters are able to shows the good and the bad choices made and further goes to shows where the Wes Moores' are going with their lives. Although the question still remains, could their stories have been interchanged?  Who is there to blame for ruining the life of one Wes when another Wes with a parallel childhood excelled?  Perhaps Wes Moore leaves these questions to suggest to the reader that maybe the person who controls our lives, is not always entirely ourselves.

Chapter 7 : The Land That God Forgot ~ 1997

Chapter 7 : The Land That God Forgot ~ 1997 : Theme Tracking

Quote 1 :"I looked around at who'd had the biggest impact on my life"Analysis : He stresses the importance about the people. They changed his life.  A role model is very important and near necessary for certain people. Wes would most likely not have been nowhere near as successful as he had been without the role models and their positive influence and drive on his life.

Quote 2 : His quick success had Wes thinking differently about his life"
Analysis : The importance of education is an idealized thing today as well. In the book Author Wes is displaying how book smarts is not the only important trait of an educated person. In today's society many people would not think Wes is smart because he solely has a GED. On the contrary the author and Wes himself are showing the importance of education as a will to work.

Quote 3 : "... Powell gave me another way... to think about my own life." 

Analysis : Powell opened up a door for him that no one else could have; Wes did not just have to stick to what he had always thought he would do, now he was actually thinking about what he wanted. This new thought process of his was further expanded by another role model of Wes', Colonel Bill Murphy, who during his departing speech from Valley Forge, brought up that having a meaningful life was one of the most important things to accomplish before dying.

Quote 4 : "My next decision was clear. I wanted to stay at Valley Forge.... I wanted to lead soldiers" 

Analysis : Which was the defining moment for Wes getting to where he was in the aircraft.  All of this shows how Wes was able to find role models at his disposal during his toughest times.  Even when he did not know it, he was finding role models, which is something that people have difficulty with.  In times of need it is natural to look for someone that can help with the problem or just with advice, but it is not always easy to do so.

Quote 5 : "In both places, young men go through a daily struggle trying to navigate their way through deadly streets, poverty, and the twin legacies of exclusion and low expectations."

Analysis : The above passage highlights both the similarities and differences between the life that the author Wes has experienced and that of the other Wes Moore. Wes is talking about boys who have undergone the ritual manhood ceremony in Africa and how this affects the way they carry themselves and how they are seen in society-- how while their increased pride and confidence is seen as a good thing in their home villages, it is something to be feared in the United States. 

Chapter 6 : Hunted ~ 1994 and Title Justification Essay #2

Chapter 6 : Hunted ~ 1994 : Theme Tracker

Quote 1:“Seventy-six percent of high school students who began high school in Maryland completed... But in Baltimore City, where Northern High School was located, it was a dismal 38 percent.”

Analysis of Quote 1:This quote shows a theme of the importance of education, and the way that Baltimore lacked teens that felt that intelligence was important. This quote shows that though in other places in Maryland there were high graduation rates, in places like Baltimore full of poverty, crime, and drugs this was not necessarily the case. People felt that joining the workforce or doing things that were illegal like selling drugs, would benefit them more than actually going to school and furthering there education.

Quote 2:“Woody thought about White Boy, his boy from the neighborhood, who picked up a job working at a restaurant called Poor Folks. He was tired of school and decided joining the workforce was a better option.”

Analysis of Quote 2:This quote shows a theme of life choices, those choices being  leaving school to join the work force. Though "White Boy" was a student at one time, with the growing poverty of the city, and his mother's condition, he had made the choice to provide for his mother in order for her to survive. Showing that though these teens were young and very naive, they still withheld the ideal of going to work and making a honest living.

Quote 3:“Wes returned to Dundee Village six months after being locked up for the incident in which he shot at Ray.”

Analysis of Quote 3:This quote shows a theme of life choices, those choices being that though Wes was just released from prison he felt that going back to the streets would be the only way that he could provide himself and his family.

Quote 4:“At their peak, his team brought in over four thousand dollars a day. He wasn’t one of the main players by any stretch, but he was not doing badly in relation to others in the neighborhood.”

Analysis of Quote 4:This quote shows a theme of crime. this crime being drug dealing. This shows that with the growing poverty, and lack of good mentoring in the inner city teens felt that crime would be the only way they would ever survive in the world.

Quote 5:“The even more devastating piece of news was that Justin’s mother was dying.”

Analysis of Quote : This quote shows a theme of overcoming obstacles, this obstacle being the growing illness of a family member. This shows that Justin would soon have to overcome the obstacle of soon having to go through life without his mother. Which is arguably a death that is the hardest over all deaths that a person can experience. He would soon have to overcome an obstacle that most people never are able to conquer.

Title Justification Essay #2

Over the course of the chapters in The Other Wes Moore, many things occur with the author and the non-author Wes Moore. Including the author Wes Moore going through life with the obstacles that come from being in military school, to The Other Wes Moore going to jail, and also finding that his short-term current girlfriend is pregnant. Which leads to explaining, why this collection of chapters of chapter 4 to chapter 6 is titled "Choices and Second Chances".

With the title of the chapter being "Choices and Second Choices", this is appropriate given what occurs throughout the chapters. Such as the way that the author Wes Moore had many times to get his act together in school and do better in classes in attempt to overcome his learning disability, while he instead let it over take him and he gave up in the process. Which then drove his mother to feel that taking him to military school would be the only way to resolve Wes's problems. With  explaining what occurs to one Wes Moore,  the other has to be explained as well. From the author Wes Moore going to military school and having to overcome many obstacles, the non-author Wes Moore also went through many things that were the events that followed his bad choices. Such as him stabbing someone and also selling drugs as a "full-time drug dealer". This would then lead him to a life of crime resulting in him going to jail and being arrested twice. Although the fact that he is a minor it is not counted in real court, and therefore goes to a juvenile detention center. When he is released he then is given a form of a "second chance", by the way that not only is he released from prison, but also that he is now a father and is able to in a way make up for the time that his father never spent with him. Thus seemingly showing a theme of mentors, in the way that hopefully Wes will protect and care for his child in the way that his father never did.


Therefore, based on the author's purpose for writing the novel itself, it seems appropriate that this collection of chapters be titled "Choices and Second Choices". By the way that both Wes Moore's go through many obstacles that were caused by there choices. As well as the way that in society, both are given second chances.  Such as with the pregnancy of Wes's girlfriend, to him becoming a "full-time drug dealer"

Wes Moore Shakespearean Sonnets

Wes Moore Sonnets

The Author Wes Moore Characterization Sonnet

Doppelgänger thou hath been in life.

Devastated by death.

Full with strife been this young life.

Took time thou didd and took breaths,

To bleed thou needs,

To take the pain and send.
To plant the seed.

Strive thou did in the end,

Thou needed aid.

Thou needed love.

For the sorrow had cut him open like a blade,
But fly thou would soon like a dove.

So listen now for you may see,

That like this Wes Moore thou can always be who thou want to be.

The Other Wes Moore Characterization Sonnet

Thou hath been the heir,

Without a fatherly king.

Twas the blow of deathly air,

Twirled it thou had like string.

Full of fuel.

Full of lies.

Life was too cruel.

Crime thou saw in eyes,

Sought to put it in fruition.

Went to the streets,

But lacked the ancestral permission.

Reach thou tried such a great feat.

But don’t be fooled for they all tried,

But this Wes Moore cast them all aside.

Chapter 5 : Lost ~ 1991

Chapter 5 : Lost ~ 1991 : Theme Tracker

Quote 1: “This was my first morning at the military school.”

Summary of Events Leading to Quote 1: At this point Wes Moore is explaining what he went through his first morning of being in military school.

Analysis of Quote 1:This quote shows a theme of overcoming obstacles, by the way that at military school Wes Moore would now have to start following the orders of this above him. Instead of just being able to do what he pleased when he wanted to.

Quote 2: “The final straw came one evening while she sat downstairs... Bad grades, absence from classes, and an incident with a smoke bomb were just some of the reasons ..."

Summary of Events Leading to Quote 2: At this point in the text the author is explaining the things his mother went through, while contemplating what to do for her son.

Analysis of Quote 2:This quote shows a dual theme one of overcoming obstacles and also of life choices, by the way that Wes Moore had choose to do the things he did without thought of the consequences. Also, the theme of now overcoming obstacles was present by the way that now he would have to overcome the obstacle and burden of going to military school.

Quote 3: “She walked into my room, tired from her long day at work, disappointed by the conversation she’d just had with my dean, and furious after seeing her youngest with a split lip... She simply pulled her right hand back and slapped me.”

Summary of Events Leading to Quote 3: At this point in the text Wes Moore the author has just punched his sister in her lip, and she's running to tell her mother, intent on getting Wes in trouble.

Analysis of Quote 3:  This quote shows a theme of single mothers, by the way that Mary had to do what it took to make sure that Wes understood what was completely right. Even if she didn't know the whole story, she felt that she would have to go on and continue to take care of the rest of the family.

Quote 4: “She was losing her son, and she was not sure how to turn the tide.”

Summary of Events Leading to Quote 4: At this point in the text the author Wes Moore is explaining the things that his mother went through before sending him to military school.

Analysis of Quote 4: This quote exemplifies a theme of single mothers, by the way that at this point in Mary's life she feels that she as a mother can do the things for her son the way that a father could help in this particular situation.

Quote 5:“Within two months of their meeting, Alicia told Wes that her period was late. Four tests and eight matching plus signs later, it was confirmed. They were going to be parents.”

Summary of Events Leading to Quote 5: At this point in the text the author has just explained to the readers that Wes Moore #2 is going to be father

Analysis of Quote 5: This quote symbolizes a theme of life choices,specifically, the choice to have unprotected sex as a teenager, and what they will do now that they know they are pregnant. Whether it is getting an abortion or giving the child up for adoption.

Chapter 4 : Marking Territory ~ 1990

Chapter 4 : Marking Territory ~ 1990 : Theme Tracking

Quote 1: “Dude, I am going to ask you one more time. Where did you get the money from?”
Summary of Events Leading to Quote 1: Wes Moore #2's brother has just returned home and has noticed a significant change in his room and belongings.
Analysis of Quote 1:From this above quote it is shown that Wes's brother knows that Wes has been committing crimes in order to purchase these things, thus giving a theme of crime specifically drug dealing.

Quote 2: “She’d asked Wes about the shoes when they started to multiply, but after her first inquisition, she’d left the subject alone.”
Summary of Events Leading to Quote 2: At this point the narrator is telling the reader of Wes Moore #2'smother and how she questioned him about the "leaning tower" of shoes in Wes's room.
Analysis of Quote 2: The above quote shows a theme of single mothers, by the way that it says that she had questioned him and then left the subject alone. This shows that she felt that his answer was enough and thought that she wouldn't need to analyze it anymore, and then needed to do other things that her family were dependent on.

Quote 3: “Tony had now spent over a decade dealing drugs and knew how much money could be made in the game.”
Summary of Events Leading to Quote 3: At this point in the text the narrator has explained Tony's, Wes Moore #2's older brothers experience with making money with drugs.
Analysis of Quote 3: This quote shows a theme of crime, by the way that the narrator examines Tony's experiences with crime and how he knows how Wes is purchasing all these extravagant products.

Quote 4: “Mary knew her younger son was no innocent. In addition to the knife fight when he was younger, Wes had been arrested a few years back after being caught stealing a car.”
Summary of Events Leading to Quote 4: At this point in the text there has just been a fight between Tony and Wes, and there mother has just overheard the situation.
Analysis of Quote 4:This quote expresses another theme of life choices, through this Wes feeling that me would never amount to anything great, and with the lack of a fatherly figure to guide him, he resulted to a life of crime feeling that it would be the only way that he could and or would ever provide for himself.

Quote 5:“Well, your grades obviously aren’t bad because you can’t pick this stuff up or because you are stupid, you are just not working hard enough,” my mother said, her voice rising into the epiphany.”
Summary of Events Leading to Quote 5: Wes Moore, the author has just explained to the readers his experiences in school.
Analysis of Quote 5: This quote exemplifies a theme of overcoming obstacles. Unlike any other it attempts to shows that a person can do what they put their mind to no matter what type of obstacles stand in their way.

Chapter 3 : Foreign Ground ~ 1987 and Title Justification Essay #1

Chapter 3 : Foreign Ground ~ 1987 : Theme Tracker

Quote 1:"Crack was different from the drugs that preceded it. It was crazily accessible and insanely potent and addictive."

Summary of Events Leading to Quote 1:In the above quote, the author Wes Moore shows the reader the way that drug have taken over the streets.

Analysis of Quote 1:This quote was used by the author to explain the theme of crime, this crime being drug addiction and selling. It shows that when the drug "crack" came on the streets it immediately took power over the people of the streets being it from the extremely poor and in poverty to the rich people living in luxury, until they became completely addicted.

Quote 2:"We laughed at the panhandler on the block, but he wasn’t just an object of ridicule, he was an unsettling omen."

Summary of Events Leading to Quote 2: In the above quote the author Wes Moore is with one of his friend and they watch as a homeless man attempts to help him to get money, which they suspect will be used for drugs.

Analysis of Quote 2: The quote above has a dual theme, that is drugs and poverty. This was done through the utilization of the homeless man to exemplify the way that  through the use of drugs a person from any type of background once exposed to drugs, can become completely addicted. Which can lead to them doing and or giving up something as large as their home and family for the drug.

Quote 3:"Always keep your money in your front pocket, never in your back pocket. Know where the drug dealers and smokers are at all times. Know where the cops are at all times."

Summary of Events Leading to Quote 3: In the above quote the author Wes Moore is explaining the "do's and don'ts" of his walk home and how to avoid being robbed or pursued in any type of way.

Analysis of Quote 3: This quote exemplifies the theme of crime, that crime being robbery. The character Wes Moore feels that with the people in his neighborhood and the crime rate that is present in Brooklyn, he must follow this list in order to protect himself from any of the harm thats possible to come from walking home at night. 

Quote 4:"Tony was now full-time in the streets, he was a veteran of the drug game at eighteen."

Summary of Events Leading to Quote 4: In the above quote the non-author Wes Moore is explaining to the reader, what happens in the daily life of his brother Tony. 

Analysis of Quote 4:This quote shows a dual theme, that theme being crime and poverty. The author shows this theme through showing that with the growing poverty of the character Tony's surrounding he saw that the only way that he would be able to survive and prosper would be to sell drugs. Which thus prompted the young Wes to strive to be like him, "walk like he walks, and talk like he talks".

Quote 5:" ...he remembered this story. The headset now fit perfectly. There was definitely money to be made."

Summary of Events Leading to Quote 5: In the above quote the non-author Wes Moore, is showing the reader his thoughts about the future and how he will play a card in making money.

Analysis of Quote 5: This quote shows a dual theme of poverty and crime. This is done through showing that with the experiences that this Wes went through, with his family and surrounding, that he felt that with the given state of his well being, he felt that being like his brother was the only thing that he could do. With his extremely low grades and high temper he felt that he would never be able to amount to anything which then caused him to believe that he had to pursue this career in drugs.

Title Justification Essay #1

Fathers and Angels 

In the chapters of 1-3 the readers are introduced to a complete set of characters all with different backgrounds and personality. From the college progress of both Wes Moore's to the drug dealing tendencies of the character Tony. Although above all would be the gruesome deaths, and movement of families from place to place. With the title of the this section being "Fathers and Angles", in a way it fits very well.

With the title of the chapter being "Father and Angels", this is appropriate given what occurs throughout the chapters. With the death of the author Wes Moore's father and the "revival" of the non-uthor Wes Moore's father, it is shown that with these two figures and their deaths they represent a way  to protect their children. In a way it is shows that with the death of the author Wes's father he guides him to do better, and be a better person. Although in a way with the non-author Wes's father being alive, he is unable to react to the circumstances in a way that is healthy and mature. Through this,   non-author Wes Moore was unable to resist the temptation of drugs and crime, while like the title says there is "one name and two fates".

In conclusion, the title of this section "Fathers and Angels" fits well with the given chapters. With the fact that the "dead" fathers, either do or don't act as guardians to their children. Which then effects the characters and their reactions to given circumstances. This why the author Wes has better reactions than the non-author Wes in their lives.

Chapter 2 : In Search Of Home ~ 1984

Chapter 2 : In Search Of Home ~ 1984 : Theme Tracker

Quote 1:“Tony had started dealing drugs in those shadowy hallways of Murphy Homes before he was ten.”

Summary of the Events Leading To Quote 1: At this point in the text the second Wes has just got in contact with his older brother, Tony, who is looking for their mother.

Analysis of Theme Identified In Quote 1: This quote presents the theme of crime and poverty. This quote makes the reader realize that though Tony was of the same family as young Wes, when he was exposed to the harsh realities of the world they changed him into a completely different person. Which would then lead Wes to want to be more like him, since he is the only male figure that the young boy could look up to.

Quote 2:“Tony ended up in a shoot-out with a few of the corner boys. Ten minutes later, it was Tony’s corner.”

Summary of the Events Leading To Quote 2: The character Wes #2 is explaining to us what his older brother's life consists of. 

Analysis of Theme Identified In Quote 2:The theme that is presented in this quote like  the one above is the theme of crime. It shows how these groups of people felt they had to fight for what they thought was their property when it truly wasn't. They would fight to the death in the way that they did in Mid-Evil times to make sure that a clan or gang knew their place. This crime that they committed though in this area and time was normal to the people that lived in the surrounding, and in a way they must have gotten used to it.

Quote 3:“Sometimes he’d ask Woody to hang out, and Woody would reply, “Can’t, I’m with Pops today,” and Wes would feel a surge of conflicting feelings. He was genuinely happy for Woody, but he was also deeply envious.”

Summary of the Events Leading To Quote 3: Wes #2 has just introduced the reader to his friends, and explains their backgrounds.

Analysis of Theme Identified In Quote 3: The theme that is represented in this quote is absent fathers. This theme is shown by the way the Wes feels insecure about the fact that his friend Woody is able to do things with his father that knows and loves him while, Wes himself has no one to look up to, and therefore is jealous.

Quote 4:“He took a few quick steps toward the boy who’d punched him, holding the knife to his side.”

Summary of the Events Leading To Quote 4: While playing football in the street with local boys in the neighborhood, Wes #2 is punched in his face in a brief confrontation that results in Wes wanting to harm the boy that punched him dead.

Analysis of Theme Identified In Quote 4: This quote shows a theme of crime like the quotes above, it does this by showing that to Wes he felt that the only way that he could send a message that he was no to be messed with would be threw crime. He thought that this would help him to be more like his older brother, and therefore make him proud. Maybe even proud enough to allow him to join "the family business".

Quote 5:“Jimmy Carter visited the Bronx, he said it looked like “a war zone.” 

Summary of the Events Leading To Quote 5:Wes the narrator is giving the reader a brief introduction and description of the "Bronx".

Analysis of Theme Identified In Quote 5: This quote shows a theme of crime, for the President to say that the "Bronx" was like a war zone that would imply that it seemed to be devastated by war. That it was so rundown that it resembled the harshness of war. Although with him saying that the "Bronx" resembled a war zone, why did he do nothing to change this environment?

Chapter 1 : Is Daddy Coming with Us?~1982

Sean Wright

H. English 2

February 17, 2014

Chapter 1 : Is Daddy Coming with Us? ~ 1982 : Theme Tracking

Quote 1: "Main Man, you just can't hit people, and particularly women. You must defend them, not fight them. Do you understand?" (20)

Summary of Events That Lead to Quote 1: At this point in chapter our protagonist Wes is three years old and he has just hit his older sister while they were playing a game. As he hits her their mother appears in the doorway and asserts that he is never to hit a women. His father, then comes to tell his mother that yelling is never the way to get through to a boy. He follows his actions by gong to Wes's room and telling him that you should never put your hands on a woman ever, and that he should "protect and defend" them instead. 

Analysis of Theme Identified in Quote 1:This qualifies as a representation of the theme of mentoring. By this quote the author uses Wes's father to facilitate what is right and what is wrong for our protagonist, in the way that mentors and guardians are suppose to do for their charges and or trainees. His teachings thus become a lesson or prior where young Wes will learn how to be a man from his dad, and know what a man does and doesn't do.

Quote 2: "After my father died, Bill no longer called, wrote, or bothered to check up on her." (24)

Summary of Events That Lead to Quote 2: During this period of the story Wes's dad has just passed away due to a rare disease called epiglottis, which causes the body to suffocate itself.

Analysis of Theme Identified in Quote 2: During the time which Wes's dad was still living he became cry close to Nikki, even though she wasn't his daughter. It shown that once he is dead, that 

Nikki's real father no longer call or checks on her. This is a theme of "absent fathers", he had only stayed in contact with Nikki because of him feeling threatened by another man in his daughter's life. Although once that man was gone he felt that there was no need in a way to remind her of who her father was, this would then crush Nikki with the feeling that "she lost two fathers in the same day".

Quote 3: "Mary realized the letter effectively closed the door on her college aspirations." (26)

Summary of Events That Lead to Quote 3: Mary has just received a letter stating that the budget that was used for financial aid has just been cut in half, leaving her with no way of finishing college.

Analysis of Theme Identified in Quote 3 : Through the above quote the dual themes show that poverty is very evident at this period. Not only with the budget cut due to most likely a economic problem, but with its effects on the life and well being of Wes's mother. Without a college career how would they ever be able to survive without a stable payment that would allow their mother to provide for three children.  This theme then signify stye troubles and hardships that poverty had on  most likely all of the single mothers might have gone through during this time.

Quote 4: "Looters ran free as the city exploded with anger". (28)

Summary of Events That Lead to Quote 4: During this point of the text the narrator is explaining what was occurring during the time when, Dr. Martin Luther King had just been assassinated at there was crime and violence everywhere.

Analysis of Theme Identified in Quote 4 : The theme that is proposed though the above quote is crime, this theme signifies that with the effects of Dr. King's death, there were multiple effects but the one that is most evident was the crime spree in Baltimore. Nothing was safe, and crime ruled over all things. It would seem that the authors thought to include this to try and convince its readers of what they should not do because the criminals were severely punished with the water hoses being unleashed on them and as well as the dogs being viciously put on people. It would seem that also try to signify through this theme that violence is never the answer, especially when it comes to revenge.

Quote 5: "Kenneth, usually a gregarious and fun-loving person, also fought the demons of alcoholism."(31)

Summary of Events That Lead to Quote 5: During this point in the chapter, character Alma has just died of kidney failure. The character Kenneth then results to drinking to cope with the pain.

Analysis of Theme Identified in Quote 5 : The theme that is represented through the 

character Kenneth is alcohol and drug using. He symbolizes the effects that occur to a person upon the lose or sense of loneliness that a person goes through during times of grief. He later goes on in drunken stupor and tells his kids that there mother has died in a less then appealing way that would allow the children to be able to grieve well. This goes on to show that drinking is never the answer and a person should result to other ways of aiding them when in times of deep sorrow.

(The Book That I  Use Is On My iPad So MY Page Numbers Are Most Likely Different.)