Wes Moore Character Analysis

In this quote, Wes Moore, had been on the phone with his older half-brother, born to Mary when she was only 16. Tony is protective of Wes, although Wes doesn’t see him as often as Tony spends most of his time in the Murphy Homes Projects and has been dealing drugs since before the age of ten. By the time he was 14, he was a “certified gangsta” with a strong reputation. While on the phone with Wes, Tony asks about school; Wes attends an elementary school nicknamed “Chicken Pen,” where 99% of the students are black and 70% receive free lunches. Tony tells his little brother to “take this shit seriously,” urging Wes not to follow in his own footsteps. Despite Tony’s tough and admirable exterior, he wishes he could undo the past and put himself
back in Wes’s position. This quote is significant because Tony is a somewhat of an inconsistent figure in Wes’s life, but he is a positive and supportive influence, the closest thing to a father Wes has. Tony shows that he cares about Wes by checking in on Wes and trying to ensure that Wes works hard in school and tries to make sure that Wes does not repeat his own mistakes. However, Wes suggests that Tony’s advice is diminished by Tony’s own behavior. Wes is dismissive of Tony’s words, admiring his brother for his actions. Regardless of what Tony says, Wes is amazed by Tony’s tough status and seeks to behave like his older half-brother, rather than following his advice.