There are many factors in George's early life that led to him being one not easily tempted by wrong. Growing up on the streets of Newark, NJ offered him many opportunities to succumb to the negative pressures of the ghetto. Had he grown up in a different home with different people, George would probably not be the man he is today, or even be at all. Children, under the wrong influences, can live carelessly, in which they are reckless with their lives, and in some unfortunate cases, lose them. This was not the case for George. He had a stable home, a loving mother, and safe friends, all of which contributed to George's wellbeing.
In George's life, he was lucky to have been influenced by positive adults. Though the unstable and dangerous elders greatly outnumbered the good, George allowed himself to be taught by healthy role models, and view unhealthy adults as lessons. He was wary of drug dealers, addicts, and gang members, understanding that taking the wrong path could result in addiction, beating, jail time, or death. …show more content…
His friends did not ever, nor the "gun-toting tough guys who stayed in trouble" (11) approach him with a knife or a blunt. George did well in school and he surrounded himself with people who, like himself, focused on education rather than the streets. While George sometimes wished to go off with his older brother and his brother's friends, Garland wouldn't let him. Ultimately, the separation of George and the older boys proved beneficial to George, as Garland's friends were miscreants who cared little for school. Though the older boy simply did not want his little brother tagging along, George viewed it later on as being a good older brother, something he wanted to be as well. Having no younger siblings, George turned to his friends and became a big brother to them all, thus bettering himself in the
In George's life, he was lucky to have been influenced by positive adults. Though the unstable and dangerous elders greatly outnumbered the good, George allowed himself to be taught by healthy role models, and view unhealthy adults as lessons. He was wary of drug dealers, addicts, and gang members, understanding that taking the wrong path could result in addiction, beating, jail time, or death. …show more content…
His friends did not ever, nor the "gun-toting tough guys who stayed in trouble" (11) approach him with a knife or a blunt. George did well in school and he surrounded himself with people who, like himself, focused on education rather than the streets. While George sometimes wished to go off with his older brother and his brother's friends, Garland wouldn't let him. Ultimately, the separation of George and the older boys proved beneficial to George, as Garland's friends were miscreants who cared little for school. Though the older boy simply did not want his little brother tagging along, George viewed it later on as being a good older brother, something he wanted to be as well. Having no younger siblings, George turned to his friends and became a big brother to them all, thus bettering himself in the