In the essay “Our Time”, John Edgar Wideman writes about himself and his brother Robby. Wideman went to Oxford as a Rhodes scholar, and his brother Robby went to prison for his role in a robbery and a murder. He tries to make a connection to his brother Robby’s point of view. Wideman discusses his younger brother’s story from three different perspectives. He tries to understand his brother, their relationship, where they came from, and where they are going. Although I agree with Wideman that his brother did not make the best decisions, yet I do feel as if he should take more responsibility for his actions. Robby let his negative environment and people affect him. How much of an impact does your environment and the people you surround yourself with affect your decisions? …show more content…
Garth was a friend of Robby’s that tended to keep him out of trouble. In the essay we soon learn that Garth is sick. Wideman later on explains that Garth’s illness is misdiagnosed and soon dies. Robby and his gang of friends propose a toast to do whatever it takes to make it to the top, for Garth’s sake. (pg. 428) “It’s out time now. We can’t let Garth down. Let’s drink this last one for him and promise him we’ll do what he said we could. We’ll be the best. We’ll make it to the top for him. We’ll do it for Garth.” At this point in the essay, Robby’s life takes a turn for the worst. Robby’s friends soon lead to his