The Consequences of Individual's Choice in The Other Wes Moore

The Other Wes Moore is a story of two different lives, but with the same name, and how their journeys have been shaped by their decisions in the past. Through the book, there are many recurring themes. An individual's choices has consequences, Discipline and violence, and family influence are all common themes shown by author Wes moore throughout the book, shining light on each of their life journeys. One common theme throughout the book is that, an individual's choice has consequences. This theme is shown throughout the book from multiple devices and situations such as imagery, narrative reflection, and external conflict.

Imagery is a strong device used by many authors to visually describe a literary work. In the other Wes Moore, imagery is used to support the theme of an individual’s choices have consequences. “Once the boys in East Baltimore heard that a west Baltimore guy was attempting to take over their corner, tempers flared. Tony ended up in a shoot-out with few of the corner boys.” From this scene of the shoot out, author Wes Moore uses this theme to show how being so deep in such a shady lifestyle, a small wrong turn could cost a life. This theme is also portrayed in chapter 8, where the other Wes Moore faces prison, while the author Wes Moore is successfully managing his life. 'Unlike the other three defendants, Wes had decided to take his case to trial. He insisted that he was not there the day of the murder. Twenty-five witnesses were called, sixty exhibits were displayed, store security videotapes were shown, and photos were employed by both sides.' The plot here changes because the audience able to see how the author Wes Moore became a successful scholar, while the other Wes Moore, stays sitting in prison after making the wrong choices and ruining his life. This is an example of imagery because the audience sees what is happening to the other Wes during his trial. Supporting the theme statement, it shows a scene from the other Wes's trial, sharing how he is caught in a bad situation, and in the rest of the chapter the author Wes Moore is speaking to the mayor, and going down the good path of life. Connecting to the real world, author Wes Moore stresses how choices made when you are young and naive can have serious consequences down the road.

Narrative reflection is a piece of writing that describes an experience in the author’s life. The description is based on a reflection of an event. Narrative reflection is used to portray the theme of how an individual’s choices have consequences. “What Tony really wanted was to go back in time to before he’d gotten himself so deep in the game, and do it all over, he wanted to be like Wes.” With many mistakes and regrets, Tony wishes he hadn’t gotten so deep in the gang realm.

External conflict, a struggle between a character and an outside force, is a device used in the other Wes Moore to portray the theme of how an individual’s choices have consequences. “Wes mumbled the verbal equivalent of a shrug, Tony was enraged. Yo, you need to take this shit seriously, man. Acting stupid ain’t cool!”. Trying to warn Wes, Tony shows just how important Wes’s actions in the present can affect his future.

In conclusion, the choices an individual makes have consequences of the outcome of these choices.