“‘I really couldn’t see what socs would have to sweat about-Man If I had worries like that, I would consider myself lucky. I know better now”’ (Hinton 36). In this novel, The Outsiders, written by S.E Hinton, a rivalry is occurring between two social gangs, the greasers and the socs. Because of this rivalry, each side develops a deep hatred for the other since they don’t understand each other. As humans, we have a tendency to dehumanize people that are different from us, but instead, we should come together and realize we are all more similar that we think. Three characters that exemplify this theme are Ponyboy Curtis, Randy Adderson, and Cherry Valance.
One character that exemplifies this theme of understanding is Ponyboy Curtis.
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Randy illustrates this theme when he says to Ponyboy Curtis right before the big fight between greasers and socs, ‘“Thanks, grease […] ]I didn’t mean that. I meant thanks, kid”’ (Hinton 117). Through this quote, Randy is showing that he now views Ponyboy as human just like him not as some stereotypical label. He is implying that he chooses not to take part in this categorization of greasers and soc. He sees the separation of people just increases people’s hatred for each other since humans have the natural instinct to hate or mistrust things different from them. He also epitomizes this theme of unity when he says to Ponyboy, ‘“I’m sick of it because it doesn’t do any good”’ (Hinton 117). Here Randy is saying that he’s tired of this hatred between social gangs and the pain it causes. Randy is conveying that fighting each other only hurts people and nobody has anything to gain from it. He’s stating that they should all learn to get along and live peacefully with each other.
A third character that exemplifies this theme is Cherry Valance. Cherry Valance, a soc and friend of Ponyboy’s, embodies this theme, when he says to Ponyboy, ‘“I’ll bet you think that socs have it made. We have troubles you’ve never ever heard of. Things are rough all over”’ (Hinton 35). In this quote, Cherry is trying to convey the message that it doesn’t matter if one is a greaser or a soc, you all have problems. She means that greasers and socs aren’t all that
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
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
Stereotyping plays a large role in the events of S.E. Hinton’s novel The Outsiders. The two main opposing groups, the Socs and Greasers, constantly face problems because of the stereotypes associated with their social groups. As seen in the novel, stereotypes and prejudice cause extreme and unnecessary conflicts. Both groups have predetermined opinions of the other, but as the story progresses, many of the characters begin to realize how similar the groups can be. The stereotypes observed in the novel can easily be compared to those in real life. Both the Greasers and the Socs share many of their opinions with the other members of their groups, and this leads to many misunderstandings. In fact, most of the conflicts in the novel are caused
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.
“The Outsiders” identifies the 60’s, illustrating the violence between groups, often involving a group’s social class. For instance, the violent tensions between the Socs and Greasers lead to Bob’s death, Johnny’s death, as well as many injuries throughout both gangs. The book “The Outsiders” is written by S.E. Hinton and is portrayed through the eyes of a high school student in Tulsa, OK where S.E. Hinton grew up. Hinton began writing “The Outsiders” in 1965 at the age of 17 and the book was finally published in 1967 when she was 19. The difference in perspective upon the society and social class creates issues throughout “The Outsiders” and since the Socs and Greasers assume the problems will be solved with violence, they take action.
Greasers are the main stereotype in the book but also there is a small part played by the Socs. Although the book is about the life and times of a Greaser there is also a ‘Socs Story’ in there, as throughout the book you learn more and more about the Socs and how they live. But this all changes. When Bob dies Cherry and Randy, the main Socs characters, begin to see that there is no difference between Socs and Greasers. Randy, when he talks to Ponyboy in private doesn’t call
The theme of the novel is that your culture and background does defy you. In other words, being in a gang or group doesn’t mean you're not unique. For example, Ponyboy is in a gang/hood group “The Greasers” and does things like mug and snatch like the other members of the group, but this doesn't mean he doesn't have a different personality than the others. Another theme in the novel is the power of brotherhood. This is a sub-theme because it not confronted to the readers until the end of the novel. On page 176, Sodapop Curtis said, “ We ought to be able to stick together against everything if we don't have each other we don't have anything.” This quote struck out to me because throughout the
We see this theme over and over in the novel one example being on page 21, "Dallas could talk awful dirty if he wanted to and I guess he wanted to then. I felt my ears get hot. Two-Bit or Steve or even Soda would have gone right along with him, just to see if they could embarrass the girls, but that kind of kicks just doesn't appeal to me. I sat there, struck dumb, and Johnny left hastily to get a Coke" (Hinton, 21). Here you see how not all the greasers are similar. Dally, Pony, and Johnny evidently don't share the same set of values, even though many privileged or higher class citizens might believe that all lower class or less privileged people are scumbags. Pony and Johnny both show their uneasiness with their actions proving that even lower class
Most people strive to belong, to be someone or part of something important. People all around you experience different ways of belonging, such as cliques or social class. Others who are excluded, are simply left as outsiders, forced to make up their own groups, maybe just because of where they live, how much money they have, and the items they have and do not have. This is the case in author S.E. Hinton’s prominent novel The Outsiders. Within this well known book is a 2 week story of 14 year old Ponyboy, as he learns to mature in his rough, poor, East side neighborhood while also dealing with most of the rich, stuck up, West side kids known as the Socs. To rival the Socs are the Greasers, a tight-knit gang that includes many East side teens that have become almost like brothers to each other. Throughout this novel, Ponyboy learns many life lessons, while facing multiple obstacles and overcoming his own inner problems to finally realize a bigger picture in the end. S.E. Hinton focused deeply on symbolism to display these multiple themes.
IV. Conflicts/Theme- Ponyboy, one of the greasers, realizes that appearance is the main reason the greasers get in trouble with society and the socs don't. Regardless of who wins the conflicts between the two groups, society will still see the greasers as bad because of the way they look. Also a conflict is when johnny killed the soc because of self defence then when dally dies at the very end of the movie and book.
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.
The Outsiders is a novel written by Susan Eloise Hinton, also known as S.E Hinton. The setting of the story takes place in the 1960s. The Outsiders is written in first person view, by Ponyboy Curtis. The story revolves around the greasers and Socs. The Socs are the west side rich kids, they wrecked houses and “threw beer blasts for kicks”. While the Greasers were the east side kids, they “drove old souped-up cars, held up gas stations and had gang fights once in a while.” One of the conflicts the characters face is man vs man, which is because the greasers and Socs don’t get along, this is because they feel superior to each other. They both had different ways of lives, they did different things for fun, and they did not understand each other. This conflict was later resolved towards the end of the story when Ponyboy speaks to Randy about no longer fighting after Bob’s death.
“The functions of intellect are insufficient and useless if you are without courage, love, friendship, compassion, and empathy,” says a quote by Dean Koontz. Throughout S.E. Hinton’s book The Outsiders, there are many themes that she conveys in the book as she narrates the experiences of a greaser named Ponyboy who is a member of the Social group (Socs). Ponyboy meets many people and witnesses many difficult situations throughout the book. This inspirational book teaches the reader crucial lessons that are very important for everyone, even if their lives are not anything like Ponyboy’s. Three important themes in the book include friendship, courage and empathy.
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