The Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking: Chapter 4

I. The Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking
Theme: Fighting always leads to problems

"Tony cocked back his arm and punched him dead in the face."
This quote helps develop the theme that fighting will always lead to problems in people's lives, and it is not the answer. Tony punching Wes just led to more problems, like Mary finding out about Wes' drug dealing. Tony may have had good intentions, but it just led to more problems. In general, mentors who want people not to follow in their footsteps should learn the correct way to change the views of their pupil. Fighting is never the answer.

"A dispute broke out, words were exchanged, and Shani found herself on the receiving end of a punch to the nose."
The conflict to the next page is revealed in this quote, and it led to fighting. When Shani gets punched, then we see that this obviously wasn't a good way to deal with the problem because Wes ends up getting involved. The author shows how fighting creates conflict that spreads to everyone related to the people involved.

"Just recently off my first encounter with the movie 'The Godfather', I pulled a Sonny Corleone and flew out the door to find Lateshia."
The author reveals how the fighting revealed in the last conflict, just led to more problems and more conflicts. Wes decided to get revenge of sorts for his sister, who got punched in the the nose. In conclusion, fighting just branches out and creates meaningless conflicts, which is how wars are started.

"'Yo shut up man! We are in serious trouble! I can't go to jail, man.' I was almost hyperventilating."
When Wes' friend Shea tried to fight and yell at the cops, Wes knew this would only lead to trouble. So the author input this piece of dialogue to show that fighting does always lead to more conflicts, and Wes knew that as a kid.

"And I couldn't deny that it was my own stupid fault. I didn't have the energy for romantic rebellion."
The author demonstrates how crime and fighting just leads to problems, even involvement with the police. And just one incident can set you straight. So the author proved how fighting isn't worth it when it leads to big problems like this.