Question

In "Blocking the Transmission of Violence" by Alex Kotlowitz, what motive triggers Martin Torres’s desire to commit an act of violence? Why did the author place this account at the beginning of the article?

Answer 1

1) what motive triggers Martin Torres’s desire to commit an act of violence?
Martin Torres was a cook in Austin, TX who one summer day had received a phone call that his nephew had been shot in the chest and killed. As a former gang member, Torres wanted to seek revenge for his nephew’s murder, despite his brother’s disapproval.

2) Why did the author place this account at the beginning of the article?
The author told the story of Martin Torres at the beginning of the article to introduce the man that changed his mind from seeking revenge, Zale Hoddenbach, an ex-gang member who now works for an organization called CeaseFire, which the article then concentrates on and presents. This organization tries to calm down quarrels before they get out of hand.