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The Upper Class In S. E. Hinton's The Outsiders

Decent Essays

Who has more problems: the affluent kids or the less civilized kids? Many people make the assumption that the upper class is sure to have less issues than the destitutions, because they are rich. In the book, The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton shows that both the upper and lower class experience different dilemmas. Hinton also emphasizes how the Greasers and Socs may have came from different backgrounds aren’t really differentiable. In the Outsiders, S.E. Hinton’s characterizations of individual Greasers and Socs reveal that both rich and poor kids face problems and feel trapped by their social statuses. First of all, some Greasers have problems because of the involvement of gangs and the unbiased law towards them. In the article “The Allure of Gangs”, the text states “kids who join gangs feel alienated by their parents...want to feel like they are part of some kind of family”(“The Allure of Gangs” on page 40). This is important because the deprivation of parenting caused the joining of gangs. This shows that Greasers are more emotional and just want to be cared. In addition, the author writes “That's why people don't ever think to blame the Socs and are always ready to jump on us. We look hoody and they look decent. It could be just the other …show more content…

As stated in the text, Hinton writes “Things were rough all over”(Hinton 35). This explains that everyone has problems no matter who you are or where you came from, everyone has issues no matter how big or small. Therefore, Greasers and Socs are very much alike. In addition, the article “The Allure of Gangs” clarifies that “Being in a gang may also satisfy their need for attention and provide someone who will listen to and care about them”(“The Allure of Gangs” on page 40). Given that, majority of the kids that are in the gangs, come from difficult homes, so they tend to be closer to their gang members than their family

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