Student Question
How does Wes disappoint Tony in The Other Wes Moore?
Quick answer:
Wes disappoints Tony by selling drugs and lying about it. When Tony confronts Wes about the source of his money, Wes lies, claiming he was DJing. Tony becomes furious, as he had engaged in similar activities but hoped Wes would avoid that path. Despite Wes wanting to emulate Tony, Tony desires better for him. Wes realizes the emotional impact of disappointing his brother, which hurts more than the physical beating he receives.
Wes disappointed Tony by selling drugs and lying to him about it.
When Wes brings home money, Tony asks him where he got it. Wes says he was DJing. Tony asks again and Wes tries to respond in the same way; before he can finish his sentence, Tony is beating him. Mary, their mother, tries to stop Tony and says that she believes Wes. Tony is skeptical and knows that she's wrong and that she is only seeing what she wants to see.
Wes thinks to himself that he didn't think Tony would be so angry. Tony did the same things even though he tried to keep Wes away from it. But it's clear that Tony wants better for Wes. As his mother cleans him up, Wes thinks about how he disappointed Tony. Wes Moore writes:
The wet rag felt good over the open cuts on Wes’s face. The deeper bruise, however, Mary could do nothing about. Wes knew he was disappointing his brother, which hurt much more than the beating he’d just taken.
He thinks that he wants to be like Tony. However, the more that he acts like him, the more Tony pushes him away.
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