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Similarities Between The Outsiders And The Help

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An ‘outsider' is an individual who is ostracised by society. This notion is conveyed by the characters in S.E Hinton’s novel, ‘The Outsiders’ and Kathryn Stockett’s novel ‘The Help’. “The Outsiders”, features two rival groups - the Greasers and the Socials (Socs) - who are divided based on their socioeconomic status, present many characters who are portrayed as ‘outsiders’, specifically Darryl Curtis (Darry) and Johnny Cade; whereas “The Help” portrays the hardships of the black African-Americans as they try to survive in a White man’s world, by working as maids. Minny Jackson and Skeeter Phelan are two characters who definitely exemplify Stockett’s idea of an ‘outsider’. Through the characters and tribulations they face, both composers effectively explore the 'outsider' paradigm to prompt thought about the cruelty of society …show more content…

Initially, Darry, the eldest of the Curtis brothers in “The Outsiders”, and Skeeter — a young, unmarried lady in the search of a job— are characters from “The Outsiders and “The Help” who feel isolated from their respective societies. Ponyboy, the protagonist, states that “Greasers … have… long hair. Darry never went… for… long hair. His was short and clean…” Through use of short description, Hinton utilises visual imagery and stereotypes, constructing an image in the reader’s mind, comparing a stereotypical greaser’s oily hair to Darry’s clean. She shows that a greaser’s hair symbolises their identity as they all are strongly attached to their hair; exhibiting their pride as greaser to society, however Darry is more mature than the rest of his gang, and understands that being a greaser isn’t always something to be proud of. His hair symbolises his defiance to the greaser lifestyle of poverty that has invaded his life. Hinton portrays that Darry is an ‘outsider’ in his society as he doesn’t

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