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
The Greasers were displayed as the ‘outsiders’ mainly the protagonist Ponyboy Curtis of S.E Hinton’s novel in the same way, Director Amy Heckerling exhibited Tai as the outcast of her movie ‘Clueless’. Greasers were a gang who was classified as the outcast of Hinton’s novel, ‘The Outsiders’. The Greasers were marginalised
The “Outsiders” movie and novel are very different and similar. The book and the movie have some similarities. After really comparing the two there was a lot of differences.
The Outsiders is a novel written by a then 15 year-old by the name of S.E. Hinton. The tale of social divides revolves around a group of six teenage “greasers”. One of these greasers is Dallas “Dally” Winston. The greasers are the poor and underprivileged in society. The greasers as a group are in a constant struggle against the socialites, the high point of society, who are referred to as “socs”. Dally Winston is among the worst of them in terms of respect for the law. “He had quite a reputation. They have a file on him down at the police station. He had been arrested, he got drunk, he rode in rodeos, lied, cheated, stole, rolled drunks, jumped small kids--he did everything.”(11). Dally is said to have lived in New York for three years and had been arrested at the young age of 10. His behavior seems wild and unexplainable, but it can be deciphered through the means of Erikson’s theory on the stages of development, and Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.
There are some similarities between “the Outsiders” movie and novel. For example The greasers winning the rumble. “...but he was grinning happily because the Socs were running,”(Hinton 145). The rules of the rumble were hands only and who ever runs first lost and the Socs ran first. As well as Ponyboy waking up next the fountain with Bob lying in front of him dead and Johnny completely shocked. “I was lying on the pavement beside the fountain, coughing and gasping,” (Hinton 56). This shows the reader Ponyboy waking up after trying to be drowned. “...Bob, the handsome Soc, was lying in the moonlight, doubled up and still. A dark pool was growing from him…”(Hinton 56). After Ponyboy wakes up and catches him breath he looks over to see Bob Sheldon
When the word outsider comes to mind, you may think of a person who is not part of a certain group or activity. Well, in the novel “The outsiders,” writer S.E. Hinton tells a story that takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma about two teenage groups; the greasers and the Socs. Sometimes, it can be hard to identify what social group you’d think you’d fall under. In the novel, the greasers and the Socs are stereotyped by their peers and they feel like outsiders. But as the story unfolds, they realize that they need to set aside their differences and not assume each other’s personalities based on the social groups that they’re in.
Survival instincts allow individuals to persevere during times of hardship and struggle. Unfortunately, many families in America are struggling lower-middle class or live in poverty. It’s nice to think a person can easily go from being dirt poor to filthy rich, but it doesn’t usually work that way. The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton depicts the hardships and struggles experienced by two rival gangs, “The Greasers” from the lower middle class and “The Socs” from the upper class. Thesis: In The Outsiders, the Greasers experience disenfranchisement mostly due to socioeconomic class and appearance. However, other types of disenfranchisement such as drug, alcohol use and gang participation are also present in the novel.
Have you ever wondered how the 1960’s was like? Would you have been fearful, jovial, or melancholy? In the book, The Outsiders, by S. E. Hinton the main character Ponyboy Curtis lives with his two brothers, Sodapop and Darry, and is involved in a gang called the “greasers.” Ponyboy realizes what it is to be a kind person instead of being violent, he is always on top of his studies and is very observant of others.
Similarly, the Greasers in "The Outsiders" navigate a hostile society that seeks to marginalize and criminalize them, yet they remain steadfast in their sense of belonging to their community. The Outsiders," S.E. Hinton masterfully explores the theme of belonging through the character of Dally, illustrating the importance of loyalty, identity, and camaraderie in fostering a sense of
An important character in the novel “The Outsiders” is Ponyboy Curtis. He is the main character and narrator of the novel. Ponyboy is an orphaned, 14 year old boy who is bright, but according to his oldest brother and guardian, Darry, he sometimes doesn’t have any common sense. He also admits himself: “I'm supposed to be smart; I make good grades and have a high IQ and everything, but I don't use my head.” This quote confirms that at times, Ponyboy tends to not use his intelligence to it’s full potential. Ponyboy also belongs to a lower social class, otherwise known as ‘Greasers.’ Greasers is a slang term for people (mainly boys) who style their longish hair with a lot of hair grease, wear leather jackets, and belong to less financially stable families. They are also known to cause chaos and carry knives around. Ponyboy is aware throughout the novel that Greasers like him are negatively looked down upon by others in society and tries to prove himself as not a bad person. The author is trying to share the idea of prejudice. In society, people often discriminate against others due to social status and appearance. However, Ponyboy realises that
While Holling needs space from his “man” of a father, Ponyboy is desperate for his parents to stay with him. The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt and The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton are two books that take place in the year 1967. The Wednesday Wars focuses on a boy names Holling Hoodhood living in Long Island with his business family and school troubles. Holling’s father owns a business, Hoodhood and Associates, and will do anything for that business. As Holling learns his father admires his business over his own son, he surprisingly grows relationships with classmates and teachers. Holling finds how similar life is to famous literature and you see him go from “no guts”, as his sister might say, to growing more than his own father. The
Hinton uses characters to convey the theme of inequality within the novel. E: Ponyboy is the main protagonist during the entirety of the novel and is part of the Greasers gang. In The Outsiders greasers are typically stereotyped as violent, hoods and menaces towards society. However, this is the opposite for Ponyboy as throughout the novel Hinton constantly characterises Ponyboy as smart, kind and caring despite being stereotyped into a typical greaser. E: Before the big rumble, Ponyboy finds himself thinking about the Greasers gang by stating “Soda fought for fun, Darry for pride, and Two-Bit for conformity.
Ponyboy, Johnny, Sodapop, Darry are all a part of the unruly gang, the Greasers. S.E Hinton is writing these characters as rebellious young men, with a harsh background, who takes their anger and hardship out on gang fighting. These roles play an important part in this book because it shows that even though they nothing physically, they have a heart stronger than gold for each other and others mentally. Hinton use these characters to show prejudice leads to wrong conclusions, violence and oppression because these “poor” young men are getting beat up by the rich Socs who have never felt the feeling of being in poverty. “ You take up for your buddies, no matter what they do. When you’re in a gang, you stick up for the members. If you don’t stick up for them, stick together, make
In The Outsiders, a book written by S.E. Hinton, there are two polar opposite gangs, the socs and the greasers. The socs, who are high class, have mustangs and “tuff” cars and wear plaid clothing called madras. The Greasers, who are lower class, are known for their long and greasy hair, wearing leather jackets and being hoods. They only have each other and always have everyone’s back. No matter the situation like leaving a door open in case they need to run away from home because of an abusive dad , they can count on one another. Ponyboy, a 14 year old Greaser, who is also the protagonist, along with other characters lose themselves while trying to be someone else they’re not. Hinton teaches us that it is important to remember that individual
The Outsiders, a novel by S.E. Hinton, shares moralities that encourage themes of brotherhood and heroism with literary elements - which includes setting, point of view, characterization, conflict, plot, and theme. Each element influences the big idea of flawed heroes and friendships to readers. With her powerful novel, Hinton is able to express the necessity of unity and brotherhood within a community, despite differences in classes, ages, or ideals.
The Outsiders is about the Greasers and the Socs seeing their differences in a new way and learning that they aren’t as different as they think. The theme of “The Outsiders” is ‘crossing over the gap between the rich and the poor’. The author conveys this through character, symbols and events. S.E. Hinton shows the theme by everyone having their own personal suffering.