For example, both men are given a chance to better themselves, however what sets them apart is what they accomplish with these chances. Robert, inspired by his mentor Herman Wrice proves himself by cleaning out a trash riddled vacant lot in order to gain enough trust to earn Wrice’s assistance (Anderson 1999, 294). John Turner on the other hand is given opportunities to succeed, yet appears to consistently fail by not paying his fines, quitting his job, returning to drug dealer life, all leading to his eventual absorption back into the streets, as Anderson states, “ultimately [oppositional culture] immobilized him in the face of conventional opportunity.” (Anderson 1999, 256, 263, 264, 285) Anderson used these two stories to provide examples of the ways in which oppositional culture can shape the life trajectory of an individual. While both Robert and John Turner’s life trajectories are heavily influenced by oppositional culture and share similar experiences, they eventually choose different paths for themselves using their given resources.
Anderson, Elijah. 1999. Code of the Street. New York: