Themes

   This is a story that could have multiple themes, but after reading the story I've found that there has been one main theme throughout the story: Sometimes in life you need to do what you feel is right and ignore those who don't know. This is most evident towards the end of the story when Ray starts to realize how wrong the things he is doing- stealing, not going to school, etc. are wrong. At one point he even throws a laptop into the river because he feels so bad about stealing it. He also "ignores" Jose at the end of the story when Jose is caught by the cops. He runs away in hopes of having a better, "normal" life even though that means he has to leave his friend behind. This theme is mostly shown through the conflict and plot of the story, but is also shown through the direct and indirect characterization of Ray. As Ray starts to realize that he could be a better person, he slowly begins to think about how the things that he does affects other people. He looks at things from another person's view, one thing Jose has trouble with throughout the story.

http://yourlifeuncommon.blogspot.com/2011/11/fhe-choosing-good-friends.html