Chapter 4: Marking Territory

Chapter 4: Marking Territory

Theme Statement: The act of selling and abusing drugs can be addictive because of the adrenaline rush which can lead even teens to jail for doing so. 

Quote 1: “Tony had now spent over a decade dealing drugs and knew how much money could be made in the game. He also knew there was no way for someone as young as Wes to make that kind of money DJing,” (page 70).

Analysis: Wes was starting to even lie to himself in thinking that his problem wasn't that bad. Tony had been telling Wes for years to never start but here Wes is symbolizing young Tony as he follows his steps  . He sees the potential Wes has to escape poverty and doesn't want him to follow the ordinary path of a lowlife drug dealer like himself. Also, the drug game usually only has one outcome for those who participate; death. 

Quote 2: "Tony got shot in the chest during a botched drug deal" (Pg 57)

Analysis: This was an incident that could have saved Wes' life from jail time. This was supposed to show Wes how bad drugs are and how you can't just do drugs or sell just drugs. Crime always follows drugs whether you like it or not and this is a prime example for Wes to see that all of that money is not worth it when your health is compromised. Unfortunately, this message does not resonate with Wes and he becomes another Tony of the family. 

Quote 3: "He cautiously put the rolled-up joint to his mouth and inhaled" (Pg 60)

Analysis: This was the moment Wes was freed from his innocence and introduced to the world of drugs, crime and death. This small act led Wes to see the amazing properties of both the idea of selling and using drugs. Even though Tony has made it clear that drug dealing is not cool or fun to do, Wes crunches under the pressure felt from friends to fit into the crowd. 

Quote 4: "A father who left his family and robbed his parents for money to buy rock" (Pg 51)

Analysis: This shows how drugs can possess a person to even leaving their own families to satisfy a fix or an addiction. It also shows his the father's insanity in that he would actually rob his own parents for his fix. This quote also shows how prominent drugs are in Wes' community and how hard it can be to avoid this dark path eventually leading to death. 

Quote 5: "'I hope you really listened to what I told you,' he whispered in my ear, opening up the other cuff to let both of my hands free." (Moore 84)

Analysis: The author included this scene from the book to show how big racial profiling was in the 80's and also how second chances can turn someones life upside. When you almost experience death or escapes trouble, you get this feeling of thankfulness and the thought of living each and everyday a as if it were your last. This event should have scared Wes from ever stepping back into that drug lane and gave him concrete evidence of why to not drug deal; a major difference between the two Moores.