Luck vs. Choice Mariangela

The interplay between luck and choice is a multifaceted concept. Luck is seen as a combination of chance and good fortune. It’s when something good happens without us planning or expecting it. Luck can also be bad. Bad luck is a series of unfortunate events that occur by chance. This is when things don’t go as planned or when we experience negative circumstances that we don't have the power to control. It’s the cosmic roll of the dice that can alter circumstances without warning. Choice is the embodiment of agency and intentionality. It’s the deliberate selection of pathways in the complicated maze of existence.

In “The Other Wes Moore,” luck and choice are interwoven in the lives of the two Wes Moores, and their stories highlight how these elements can shape one’s destiny. The first Wes Moore, the author, experiences a series of fortunate events and decisions that set him on a path to success. Despite early academic and behavioral struggles, his mother’s choice to send him to military school becomes a turning point. This decision, combined with mentors and opportunities that come his way, allows him to capitalize on the luck of his environment. His choices to adhere to the discipline and to seize the educational and leadership opportunities presented to him ultimately led him. towards a Rhodes Scholarship and a fulfilling career. 

On the other hand, the other Wes Moore’s life is a testament to how a lack of positive choices can lead to a grim fate, despite the luck of his circumstances. Although he grew up in the same city as the author and occasionally encounters potential turning points that could lead to a better life, his choices often reflect immediate needs or pressures rather than long-term benefits. He drops out of school and gravitates towards the drug trade, seeing it as a quick financial fix, a decision that ultimately leads to his imprisonment for life. His story illustrates how even when luck offers a glimmer of hope, without the foresight or support to make constructive choices, it can quickly dim.

The narrative suggests that the trajectories of their lives were influenced by a combination of both luck and personal choices. On one hand, the author Wes Moore, benefited from opportunities that perhaps were not as readily available to the other Wes Moore, such as strong support systems and educational opportunities. These elements of “luck” or circumstance provided a fertile ground for the author to make choices that would lead to success. The author does not dismiss the importance of personal responsibility but also sheds light on how institutional structures and community support can significantly impact an individual’s life path. The contrast between the two lives underscores the complex interplay between the random chances of our birth and environment, and the conscious choices we make as individuals. 

The book prompts readers to consider how different life might be if certain variables were altered. It makes us ponder the extent to which our lives are shaped by our decisions versus the conditions into which we are born. It’s a powerful reminder that while we may not have control over the hand we’re dealt, we do have some control over how we play our cards. 

Overall, “The Other Wes Moore” does not provide a definitive answer to the debate of luck vs. choice. Instead, it presents a nuanced portrait of two lives, encouraging a deeper conversation about the balance of fate and free will. It suggests that while our choices are crucial in shaping our destiny, the role of luck-whether good or bad-cannot be entirely discounted. This theme resonates throughout the book, allowing its readers to reflect on our own lives and the factors that have shaped them.