Kevin Powers and Geoffrey Canada both describe violence and its effects on people in their novels. They claim that violence changes a person profoundly; however, they differ on the merits of these changes. Canada concludes that violence teaches people and helps them grow, while Powers concludes that it dehumanizes and scars them. The two authors also disagree on the necessity of violence. Specifically, Canada argues that violence is necessary and is used to gain distinction and status, while Powers argues that violence is unnecessary and causes people to lose their uniqueness and identity. Additionally, Canada believes that violence protects boys and their lives, while Powers believes that violence kills young soldiers. From their personal experiences, Canada asserts that boys from the South Bronx must be violent to gain respect and survive, while Powers asserts that the violence of war is a waste of life for young men who lose respect and even life. Fist Stick Knife Gun uses violence to increase his status and honor, and to stand out from the rest of his group as more powerful. Canada's violence is necessary for its characters because it is their only means of distinguishing the power of different peoples. The characters in Canada also resort to violence to save their lives, because the adults around them cannot protect the children. Canada writes, "Status was a major issue for the neighborhood boys" (Canada 18), a very direct but compelling statement that describes the importance of "status" for the neighborhood boys. “In the neighborhood,” respect and power mean everything, because the social order is determined by these qualities. Canada argues that in the South Bronx, this "status" and social order could only be decided...... middle of paper...... Canada's violence was intended to gain respect . Canada's violence helped him survive the blockade and eventually learn and grow enough to get out of the ghetto, while Powers' violence kept him trapped in a war he didn't believe in and didn't care for. didn't fight for himself. They feel differently about the necessity and merits of violence because of the different violence they have experienced. In general, the situation and context decide whether violence is necessary or respectable. Canada's violence gave him individuality and status, but Powers' violence stripped him of his distinction and dehumanized him; Canada's violence gained him respect while Powers' violence lost it. Combining their two assessments of violence, fighting among boys to survive and gain respect may be necessary and right, while fighting to kill others causes soldiers to lose respect and is unnecessary..