Down These Mean Streets
Adam Frier
English 4
May 1 2014
“The most basic human desire is to feel like you belong. Fitting in is important.” Nobody wants to be left out of the pack. Not being apart is like not living. Therefore, when people are struggling and having a hard time fitting in with life people and with other people they put themselves in position to build a reputation amongst their surroundings. For the feeling to be equal and considered on the same level as the popular one is what most want. But people fail to realize that just wanting to be down with people that you are not can lead to a life full of difficulties and struggle. In Down These Mean Streets, Piri goes through a point in time where he moves from one place to another, and when that happened he had to find himself. He was a new kid in a new surroundings. He was different than other people so he got treated like it. Piri didn’t want to be the kid that didn’t fit in, so he put himself into numerous positions to fight back and gain a name for himself in the Streets of Harlem. Because of the idea of fitting in and being important in society. Piri finds himself having to prove his worth, struggling with his identity, and living in a life of struggle.
For Instance, Piri found himself walking somewhere a couple of times where he was confronted by a group of people that were of different races that he wanted to be like so the way he dealt with it was in a way to prove himself worthy. In other words, Piri chose the route to challenge them back so that they could see toughness and the coolness in him. So he could then be a part of the crew. Piri “If you ain’t got heart, you ain’t got nada” (47). Piri saying thoses words indicates that In a way it works out for Piri initially because he actually make a name for himself and does pick up his reputation and cool points among his peers in the streets of Harlem. Because he does actually get down with the gang. But in the same case as him wanting to fit in it also lead
English 4
May 1 2014
“The most basic human desire is to feel like you belong. Fitting in is important.” Nobody wants to be left out of the pack. Not being apart is like not living. Therefore, when people are struggling and having a hard time fitting in with life people and with other people they put themselves in position to build a reputation amongst their surroundings. For the feeling to be equal and considered on the same level as the popular one is what most want. But people fail to realize that just wanting to be down with people that you are not can lead to a life full of difficulties and struggle. In Down These Mean Streets, Piri goes through a point in time where he moves from one place to another, and when that happened he had to find himself. He was a new kid in a new surroundings. He was different than other people so he got treated like it. Piri didn’t want to be the kid that didn’t fit in, so he put himself into numerous positions to fight back and gain a name for himself in the Streets of Harlem. Because of the idea of fitting in and being important in society. Piri finds himself having to prove his worth, struggling with his identity, and living in a life of struggle.
For Instance, Piri found himself walking somewhere a couple of times where he was confronted by a group of people that were of different races that he wanted to be like so the way he dealt with it was in a way to prove himself worthy. In other words, Piri chose the route to challenge them back so that they could see toughness and the coolness in him. So he could then be a part of the crew. Piri “If you ain’t got heart, you ain’t got nada” (47). Piri saying thoses words indicates that In a way it works out for Piri initially because he actually make a name for himself and does pick up his reputation and cool points among his peers in the streets of Harlem. Because he does actually get down with the gang. But in the same case as him wanting to fit in it also lead