Essay
Discuss the conflict in the text “the outsiders”
In order to discuss the conflict inside of the text, the outsiders, it must first be outlined how conflict will be measured for the purpose of this essay. Conflict is any emotion or action that causes physical or emotional torment within or upon someone- therefore internal and external conflict.to begin with, an exploration of conflict- comparing the two forms to a great extent for clarification that will sustain the discussion. This will be followed by looking at the internal and external conflict present in the two key characters Ponyboy and Johnny and illuminate why they face such afflictions.
Throughout the novel ‘the outsiders’ internal and external conflict is shown in various problematic
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As stated before, Ponyboy goes through these terrible experinences because of the environment that he lives in. The environment that he lives consists mostly of people his age, therefore there is no one to guide or advise Ponyboy and make him realize what is right and what is wrong. Ponyboy is faced with a lot of conflicts, both internal and external. Throughout the book Ponyboy’s character gradually grows from a cool, shy, young and handsome boy to a fast thinking and loving man. One of the external conflicts that Ponyboy is confronted with at the beginning of the novel is when he was jumped by the socs, “we get jumped by the socs. I’m not sure how you spell it, but it’s the abbreviation for the socials, the jet set, and the west-side rich kids. It’s like the term ‘greaser’, which is used to class all us boys on the east side.”(Page 3). This quote definitely declares the differentiation between the greasers and between the socs. The following quote will represent how the socs treat the greasers because of their high status compared to the greasers.” Then there were shouts and the pounding of feet, and the socs jumped up and left me lying there, gasping. I lay there and wondered what in the world was happening- people were jumping over me and running by me and I was too dazed to figure it out. (Page 7). This statement represents the external conflict that Pony boy was encountered with. The hierarchy system between the socs and the greasers is the foremost reason for the undisciplined manner towards the greasers. Just as specified earlier, this is a different case of external conflict, because ponyboy himself is in a detailed position in the struggle of external conflict. Keeping in mind that Ponyboy did not only meet with the devastating and problematic external conflict but also had to bare the pain of internal conflict. “My parents, Johnny repeated
"I had it then. Soda fought for fun. Steve for hatred, Darry for pride, and Two-Bit for conformity. Why do I fight? I thought, and couldn't think of any real good reason. There isn't any real good reason for fighting except self defense" (Hinton, 137). Ponyboy's internal struggle is very much a part of this story. But what fuels his struggle? The answer to this question is what he sees in the world, or rather his viewpoint. But, sometimes those viewpoints are skewed by stereotypes, making the them of this book, stereotypes are powerful but often wrong.
In the book the Outsiders, Ponyboy faces many conflicts, some had carried more significance than others. The author of this novel is S.E. Hinton. The main characters of this novel are Ponyboy Curtis, Sodapop Curtis, and Darrel Curtis (Darry). The Outsiders is novel about the wars between the two social classes formally known as Socs (The higher class/richer people) and the Greasers (The lower class/poorer blue collar workers.) This novel however is told from the perspective of the Greasers, more specifically a young boy at the bottom of a small gang or family of greasers. In the novel The Outsiders the character Ponyboy experience multiple conflicts with his family, his friends, and the law.
Have you ever thought about how life would be like without your family and friends? Throughout this novel, The Outsiders, By S.E. Hinton, three brother share many common conflicts between each other. Every brother and sister have been in fights or arguments, but after everything, you still love them. Darry, Soda, and Pony have changed dramatically throughout the novel.
At the time, Johnny felt as though he was taking control of his life in the only way that he thought was possible. This single act of aggression followed a series of events that lead Ponyboy on a path of self-examination, where he began to question the reasons for conflict between the Socs and Greasers. As stated by Ponyboy, “A fair fight isn’t rough […]. Blades are rough. So are chains and heaters and pool sticks and rumbles. Skin fighting isn’t rough. It blows off steam better than anything” (Hinton). Such activities allow the teenagers to build characterization by releasing their endless supply of energy and pent-up aggression. Also, the novel demonstrates author inflicted violence or death and suffering when Johnny died from his severe injuries after he rescued children from a burning building. Johnny’s act of honorable sacrifice allowed Ponyboy and his friends to rise beyond their lives of gangs and violence. The senselessness of all the violence that occurred throughout the novel allowed teenagers to grow and develop a different perspective of the world. Ponyboy came
Bob Woodward, a journalist, once said,”The central dilemma in journalism is that you don't know what you don't know.” By this quote, Woodward expressed the idea of dilemma in the book, “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton. Since Hinton, the author of “The Outsiders,” consisty used dilemmas, readers are able to use the dilemmas presented to see the struggles and the results caused by it. By dilemmas, Hinton demonstrates the struggles the characters face and the outcomes caused by the characters’ decisions.
In any novel, the author uses the element of setting in order to establish a connection between the reader and the text. In The Outsiders, the global setting is Tulsa, Oklahoma. The city is known to have the highest crime rate in the state. Hinton was born in Tulsa and she experienced what it was like to undergo high school rivalry. During her high school years, she was a friend to many Greasers and Socs. Hinton considered herself an “in between” in the dilemma. Choosing Tulsa’s high school as the setting influences the main
Conflict could be stated as a ‘serious disagreement and argument about something important’ or ‘a solemn difference between two or more beliefs, ideas or interests.’ In general, it is a quite vital part of our lives as well as shapes individuals into who they are, and due to the consequences that linger around it affects the relationship they have built with others along with their opinions towards others. This is evident in the award-winning play written by William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet. In which the two families , Capulet and Montague constantly compete each other, and in the midst of this heat, ‘a pair of star cross’d lovers’ strive for the sake of their short-lived love; as a result causing what is now known as ‘the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet’. Correspondingly, in S.E Hinton’s novel The Outsiders, two opposing rival gangs: Socs and Greasers futilely in a persistent way, create conflict through brawling & arrogance. Despite an extensive time-distance of around four hundred years between the two texts, they are relatively similiar. In ways like: the rivalry between the Montagues and Capulets as well as the Socs and Greasers- loaded in hatred and socioeconomic difference or social expectations- , the aftermath of characters heavily affected by disputes –typically death- and finally, internal conflict.
“The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow.” The Outsiders is a novel by S.E. Hinton about a group of boys who face many challenges and hardships together. The novel is based off adversity and how although it could have negative impacts it could still bring some positivity like finding the real image of actions, overcoming fears, and bringing a family together.
In the beginning of the book Ponyboy thinks that all you can do to resist the Socs is to fight them. He even knows it’s a futile attempt to change their situation, but that’s all he thinks the greasers can do as he says: “And you can't win against them no matter how hard you try, because they've got all the breaks and even whipping them isn't going to
In the story The Outsiders, there is many life lessons that could help many people. Ranging from the people you hang out with, to people who need your help. You should always treat people how you want to be treated,even if that means giving something up. The main character, Ponyboy, experiences certain events in the story that makes you realize that these kind of conflicts are a reality. Ponyboy lives with his two brothers, Darry and Soda. Their parents died in a car crash. Ponyboy never realized how much his parents did for him. There is a “Gang” that Ponyboy is involved in called the Greasers. Their rival “Gang” is called the Socs. The Socs are kids that have a better upbringing and are more of rich kids. The Greasers are basically the opposite. The theme of this story is don’t take the things you have for granted.
Ponyboy has a thought which is that the Greasers and Socials are the same. Ponyboy thinks this thought because, Johnny said “There’s still good in the world.” (S.E. Hinton 179) After Ponyboy read this, it inspired Ponyboy to write about how no matter your differences, we are still the same. “How to start the theme, how to start writing something that was important to me.” (S.E. Hinton 180) The important thing to Ponyboy was trying to show the similarities between the Socials and Greaser and try to show that there are more similarities than differences. Ponyboy started to write about his story and started to show that later in his
Have you ever read a very hard hitting and the phenomenal story about rival gangs and the effect it has on the lives of the people and the society. In The Outsiders, is a story of 14-year-old Ponyboy Curtis and his two older brothers, Soda and Darry. The boys are orphans and struggle to stick together in their lower-class neighborhood, known as the East Side. They and their friends are part of a gang of tough street boys called the Greasers. Even though other people might think you're unimportant and below them. You will always have your friends and family. In The Outsiders, we see the idea of the difference in the society based on the economic level of the characters, honor among the lawless and violence among the youth.
In S.E Hinton’s novel The Outsiders, the main character Ponyboy and the rest of the greasers not only face conflicts with their rival gang: the Socs, but also against each other and even as society as a whole. These obstacles were created due the fact that people don't realize that everyone has problems, this is a theme that Ponyboy learns throughout this story. Just like in real life, some conflicts will never be resolved as they are beyond their control. Over the course of the novel some conflicts will be settled, while some will stay the same or even become worse.
The difference in social class definitely took its toll on the two of these gangs. The Soc’s and Greaser’s opinion would change from with experiences, but for the most part it was a clash for who owned the town. The Socs were the “good guys” and the Greasers were the “troublemakers” of town, although this was definitely not the case but because of the unchanging prejudice opinions were placed on both of the groups it would not change. For example, Ponyboy explained that maybe the Greasers and Socs aren’t so different after all. On page 40, Ponyboy starts to wonder how different he is from any of the Socs, “It seemed funny to me that the sunset she saw from her patio and the one I saw from the back steps was the
Thesis: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, a novel which tells the story of conflict between the "greasers" and the "Socs," captures the voice of ponyboy and his friends in a realistic way that relates to boys and their gangs even today.