Theme 1: The absence of a father can negatively impact
a family’s life.
Other Wes
Quote 1: "Most of all Wes enjoyed the
simple fact that Woody's father was there. Before he met Woody, Wes had never
really seen a father around. Single-parent households were the norm in his
world... He was genuinely happy for Woody, but he was also deeply
envious."
In chapter two, both of the boys
named Wes are similar in that their fathers are absent in their childhood. This
quote shows how Wes was used to the single- parent household that he grew up
in, but deep down had a feeling of jealousy when his friend Woody also had an
active father. Wes is negatively impacted by not having his father around. Even
though he had his mother, which was considered the “ norm” in his world, he
felt as if he was lacking or missing out on not having a two-parent household.
The affect that absent father has on children is shown through this quote.
Quote 2: “ Tony had started dealing
drugs in those shadowy hallways of Murphy Homes before he was ten.”
The absence of the other Wes’s father
also impacted his brother Tony. This quote shows the negative life choices Tony
made without any guidance from a father figure. Without the teachings of wrong
and right, many children are lost as they grow up with many negative
influences. Tony did not have a father to protect him from these influences,
which caused him to start dealing drugs before he was out of elementary school.
This quote shows how absent fathers affect a child’s childhood but also their
future as they are faced with many outside influences.
Wes
Quote 3: “ Since my father’s death,
my mother had made the tattered brown leather couch in the living room her
bed.”
“Perpetual bags hung under her eyes.
I watched as she walked by me, looking worn, almost defeated.”
Wes was not the only one affected by
the death and absence of his father. As the quote shows, Wes’s mother, Joy, was
emotionally and physically impacted by the loss of her children’s father like
many single mothers are today. The absence of a father affects and changes the
responsibilities and dynamics of the whole family. Joy has to take on the role
as a father and a mother in order to provide for her family. Since she is still
grieving, the emotional burdens of not having a father for her children are
also impacting the family’s life as they see their mom struggling. This quote
shows the reader that anyone can be impacted by the absence of fathers because
they may be given new responsibilities in the family.
Theme 2: Single mothers face many
similar challenges, even with different backgrounds.
Other Wes
Quote 4: "It was years before
Wes's mom found out her son had been arrested that day."
Many single mothers face similar obstacles in raising their
children alone. This quote shows how Wes’s mother, Mary, was so busy earning
money for her family that she wasn’t even aware of her child’s arrest. Mary
struggled with making enough money to provide for her family and watching her
family in order to make sure they stay out of trouble. The challenge she was
facing was taking on the responsibities as both parents.
Wes
Quote 5: "Mom, if it's still all right, I think we need to
move up there. I can't do this alone anymore."
Just like the other Wes’s mother, Mary, was also struggling with
taking on responsibilities with her heavy schedule. This quote shows that Mary
was having an extremely difficult time on her own as she raised her children.
She struggled to provide and watch her family, which cause her to ask for help
from her mother. This shows the hardships many mothers face when they are the
leader and providers in a single- parent household.
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