Transition: The Role Of Education In The Other Wes Moore
A transition in life can be best defined as the change or the overall conversion in ones’ existence. However, to reach any type of transition, one must experience events throughout their life that connect the lines as to who they really are and what they have become/will become. In accordance to The Other Wes Moore, the author compares the characters’ lives specifically by describing three main factors that influence life transitions, including education, location, and support.
The role of education in ones’ life is to maximize knowledge and comprehension. 1 Education, among many others, directly contributes into a persons’ life transition. [1] In The Other Wes Moore, the author uses education as a way to get out his troubles and tragedies. …show more content…
Location can be an appeal to most people. It contributes to shaping the way one thinks, performs, and even speaks. When Wes moved to The Bronx, New York from Manhattan, he suddenly comes across the realization that: “Everything about The Bronx was different from downtown Manhattan, more intense and potent; even the name of the street we walked down- Gun Hill Road- suggested blood sport” (48). His comparison of the street name with a “blood sport” symbolizes the acts of violence that occur at his current location. Violence is what he sees. Therefore, violence is what he gets accustomed to. This changes him as a person. It changes his views, his acts, and his beliefs. Another important aspect to location to view upon is living a lifestyle full of fear: fearing a location. The author uses violence and fear to describe the atmosphere created by people in The Bronx. “Justin knew the rules: Never look people in the eye. Don’t smile, it makes you look weak. If someone yells for you, particularly after dark, just keep walking. 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. And if night fell too soon… Justin knew to run all the way home.”
The role of education in ones’ life is to maximize knowledge and comprehension. 1 Education, among many others, directly contributes into a persons’ life transition. [1] In The Other Wes Moore, the author uses education as a way to get out his troubles and tragedies. …show more content…
Location can be an appeal to most people. It contributes to shaping the way one thinks, performs, and even speaks. When Wes moved to The Bronx, New York from Manhattan, he suddenly comes across the realization that: “Everything about The Bronx was different from downtown Manhattan, more intense and potent; even the name of the street we walked down- Gun Hill Road- suggested blood sport” (48). His comparison of the street name with a “blood sport” symbolizes the acts of violence that occur at his current location. Violence is what he sees. Therefore, violence is what he gets accustomed to. This changes him as a person. It changes his views, his acts, and his beliefs. Another important aspect to location to view upon is living a lifestyle full of fear: fearing a location. The author uses violence and fear to describe the atmosphere created by people in The Bronx. “Justin knew the rules: Never look people in the eye. Don’t smile, it makes you look weak. If someone yells for you, particularly after dark, just keep walking. 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. And if night fell too soon… Justin knew to run all the way home.”