The Beautiful Struggle is about the personal experience of Ta-Nehisi Coates and his brother Bill growing up in West Baltimore. The book takes place in 1980s Baltimore during the Crack Epidemic and explores issues of survival, morals and family. The book is a coming of age story that looks at multiple perspectives. Ta-Nehisi is a boy who isn’t cool, doesn’t understand the rules of the street, and generally doesn’t apply himself in school. His brother Bill on the other hand, is known for being cool, charismatic, and street smart. Bill does not apply himself much in school but strives to join a gang. Each boy goes through struggles as they age however their choices are not the same. Ta-Nehisi eventually gets expelled from one of his schools but
…show more content…
Ta-Nehisi’s brother Bill in particular was most at risk. Despite the dangers of being a part of a gang, Bill still had the desire to join one. His gang affiliation also put him at more of a risk to be apart of the raging drug epidemic. In addition, the lack of morals in the gangs put Bill at a greater risk of engaging in illegal …show more content…
Bill, like his brother Ta-Nehisi had potential to do great things in the world. Both boys were smart, had a father in their lives to support them, and came from a tight knit family. Sadly, Bill made more serious mistakes than his brother Ta-Nehisi. Bill is soon involved with drugs, gangs and other illegal activities. In addition, he makes the mistake of impregnating a young girl and he has no regard for his academic achievement. These mistakes could have had extremely negative effects on his life. Yes, Bill thankfully ended up going to Howard University but the mistakes he made in his youth were ones that could have been far more damaging. Bill should have stayed away from the violent streets of Baltimore the best he could. By doing so he could have avoided the drugs, gangs and gun violence. In addition, Bill should have been more careful sexually because if he had been, he probably wouldn’t have impregnated anyone. His future would have been far more secure if he had avoided the negative influences of the Baltimore
Ta-Nehisi’s brother Bill in particular was most at risk. Despite the dangers of being a part of a gang, Bill still had the desire to join one. His gang affiliation also put him at more of a risk to be apart of the raging drug epidemic. In addition, the lack of morals in the gangs put Bill at a greater risk of engaging in illegal …show more content…
Bill, like his brother Ta-Nehisi had potential to do great things in the world. Both boys were smart, had a father in their lives to support them, and came from a tight knit family. Sadly, Bill made more serious mistakes than his brother Ta-Nehisi. Bill is soon involved with drugs, gangs and other illegal activities. In addition, he makes the mistake of impregnating a young girl and he has no regard for his academic achievement. These mistakes could have had extremely negative effects on his life. Yes, Bill thankfully ended up going to Howard University but the mistakes he made in his youth were ones that could have been far more damaging. Bill should have stayed away from the violent streets of Baltimore the best he could. By doing so he could have avoided the drugs, gangs and gun violence. In addition, Bill should have been more careful sexually because if he had been, he probably wouldn’t have impregnated anyone. His future would have been far more secure if he had avoided the negative influences of the Baltimore