when faced with options hwo did the the decisions being made have an impact on how lives turned out

I think that the protagonists decisions are largely dictated by poverty. It is not as if Charlie had the freedom of the certainty of food, shelter, clothes..... Charlie's poverty means he is denied not only warmth, money, safety, and certainty, but also power. He discovers soon after he begins work with Squizzy that he appreciates the job because it gives him a power he has never known. Shop owners and policemen are afraid of Charlie because of his association with Squizzy. Charlie is even able to incapacitate Mr. Peacock with no repercussions because of the violent power Squizzy wields in Richmond. However, Charlie learns that to have power in Richmond requires exploiting others to maintain that power. Having power also exposes you to challenges, as Charlie learns when Barlow attacks him and Norman, or when Snowy Cutmore goes to war with Squizzy.