Chapter 2 : In Search of Home

Theme: Crimes

Quote 1: "The Murphy Homes were built in 1962 and named after George Murphy... but just as often they went by the self-explanatory nickname, Murder Homes." (pg.26)

Analysis 1: This chapter already starts off by introducing a known crime area called the Murder Homes. The author explains how the most dangerous things are done here, therefore introducing the theme of crime.

Quote 2: "Tony had started dealing drugs in those shadowy hallways of Murphy Homes before he was ten. By the time he was fourteen, Tony had built a fierce reputation in the neighborhood." (pg.27)

Analysis 2: The theme of crime is described through this quote because this quote tells us about Tony and how he almost symbolizes crime in his neighborhood due to the things he does such as selling drugs.

Quote 3: "As Woody got closer, his attention was diverted from Wes's left hand to his right, where he held a long-bladed knife." (pg.33)

Analysis 3: This quote supports the theme of crime because it acts as a foreshadow of crime of murder that Wes was going to commit between Wes, the knife in Wes' hand and the small guy that had punched Wes in the face.

Quote 4: "They ignored Woody until he shouted out, "if y'all don't ;et him go, I'm gonna have to kill somebody!" Moments later, Woody was in handcuffs too." (pg.35)

Analysis 4: This quote helps emphasize the importance of crime in this chapter. We see that at first the police officers completely ignore Woody, but once Woody threatens to commit a crime such as killing someone, they automatically turn their attention towards Woody. And the police officers end up hand cuffing Woody as well.

Quote 5: "One of the neighbors must have called the police, because two cruisers had pulled up, flashing their red and blue lights.They blocked off the alley." (pg.33)

Analysis 5: This quote also emphasizes the theme of crime in this area, specifically in this chapter. Once someone spots some kids starting a fight, they automatically know to call the police to prevent this crime of fighting getting bigger until it gets out of hand.

 

Chapter 1 : Is Daddy Coming With Us?

Theme: Absent Fathers

Quote 1: "Bill seemed to suddenly regain his sobriety. He backed out of the kitchen slowly, not taking his eyes from his wife's tear-drenched face... One month later, Joy and Nikki were packed up. Together, they left Bill for good." (Ch1, page 10) 

Analysis 1:  This quote shows how the theme of "Absent Fathers" was revealed through the depiction of how Nikki (Joy's oldest daughter with Bill) and Joy left Bill. It foreshadow's the start of  how Nikki would have to survive with the absence of her father.This was going to be the lifestyle of Joy and Nikki until Joy runs into her second husband, Wes Moore. Although Bill wasn't the one who left the family but it was actually Joy's decision to leave him, even though they were to stay together Bill wasn't there for Nikki as a father mentally nor physically. he was always out drinking and never there to support her as a father.

Quote 2: "With my father no longer in the picture, the pressure was off. It was as if my sister lost two fathers that day." (Ch1, page 15)

Analysis 2 : This quote shows how the absence of both the narrator's father, Wes Moore had made an impact on not only the narrator but on Nikki as well. Although Nikki and her mother did leave Bill, once Joy was remarried to Wes and once Bill found out about how Wes had cared for Nikki as if she was his own daughter it got Bill jealous. It influenced him to take care of Nikki even more and claim his title as a father again. But once Wes died, the pressure was off and Bill started to lay off and actually disappear again as a father to Nikki. The death of Wes Moore marked the day Nikki has lost both her blood father and a man that was thought to be her father.

Quote 3: " That is one of only two memories I have of my father. The other was when i watched him die." (Ch1, pg 11)

Analysis 3: This quote also shows a foreshadow of the absence of the narrator's father's death. It shows how the narrator barely had any memories with his father. How he barely remembers anything related to his father or  how he barely got to spend much quality time with his father before his father passes away. 

Quote 4: " He lay in the casket with his eyes closed. It was the first time I had seen him in days. he looked more serene than her appeared at the bottom of the stairs. He looked at peace. I was holding my uncle Vin's hand when I looked into the casket and asked my father, "Daddy, are you going to come home with us?" "    (Ch1, pgs15-16)

Analysis 4: This quote shows how the narrator still doesn't know what has been going on with his father. He just knows that his father has been gone for a while and he is concerned as to when his father will come back and reunite with the family.

Quote 5: " Three days later, Kenneth received the news that Alma's body had rejected the new kidney and she had died earlier that morning. Kenneth had to tell his children what had happened. But how do you share something with kids that you have not fully absorbed yourself yet? Kenneth, usually a gregarious and fun-loving person, also fought the demons of alcoholism." (Ch1, pg21)

Analysis 5: This quote also shows the absence of Mary's and Tony's father. Although physically he was still there, emotionally as a father he was not. After he recieved the news that his soul-partner has passed away he was unable to cope with that fact. He didn't know how to accept it. So emotionally, he wasn't there to help support his children. Emotionally, he was absent to his children.