The Outsiders: literature

While reading The Outsiders by S.E Hinton there were a few pieces of popular literature named within the novel. Many of the characters use the pieces to compare, describe and characterize themselves. In the beginning of the novel, Ponyboy compares himself to a character named Pip from Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations. The two boys share similar attributes. They both are poor and struggle with the fact of not knowing were their place is and their true value. Next, Johnny and Ponyboy characterized their lives with Robert Frost’s poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” They both begin to realize that like is a constant battle and at some point, whether they like it or not, they have to face reality and the consequences that go along with it. Also, Johnny related Dally to a man in Gone with the Wind, a book Johnny bought Ponyboy because he was always saying how much he wanted to read it. Most importantly, Cherry and Ponyboy discuss books and this helps them understand each other more. This connection caused by literature between the two, plays a key role in reuniting the greasers and socials. Through all these pieces of literature, the opposing groups begin to understand others actions and why they behave a certain way. By the end of the novel, we come to realize that The Outsiders is an autobiography by Ponyboy, he is writing the paper for English class. This final representation of literature proves how it can have an effect on many individuals. Literature is a standout idea in this novel. It is used multiple times and has a huge impact on everyone involved. The literature changes all the characters in the novel and also has an impact on the reader. It being involved will help readers understand more of what is going on and why things are they way they are. Literature brings people together all throughout the novel and also life. It is used in everyday activities and can bring others together no matter if they are rich, poor, black, white etc. It is very powerful.

The Outsiders: friendship

An inseparable bond between two people can be magical. That one person who will stick by your side through anything, you trust them completely and call them your best friend. This is almost an essential relationship to have in your life. In the novel The Outsiders, by S.E Hinton a special connection occurs between two greasers, Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny Cade. PonyBoy Curtis is the youngest greaser at age fourteen and the narrator of the story. He has an interest in literary works and received academic accomplishments, setting him apart from the majority of the greasers. Johnny Cade is a sixteen year old greaser; he comes from an abusive, alcoholic family which makes him very nervous and aware of his surroundings. He considers the greasers his true family and is with them most of the time. Johnny and Ponyboy share a special bond because of how much time they spend together, secrets they share and everything they go through together by the end of the novel. Johnny always defends Ponyboy, being the youngest, he his picked on by his older brothers. Johnny tells Ponyboy about his family and how scared he really is, he understands and promises to never leave his side. Their journey together has many obstacles. It consisted of killing a soc, hiding for weeks, saving little children and sadly Johnny dying in the end. Throughout this entire journey they learned more about each other and the bond they shared grew stronger. All the things they did for one another proved that their friendship was genuine and they truly did care. They struggled and fought together to stay alive in a cruel world with multiple challenges a day. All these examples justify that they are brothers not by blood but by heart. It is one of the strongest relationships described in the novel and touches the readers in a specific away because it can compare to friendships today. Johnny and Ponyboy are outsiders constantly looking in. Ponyboy is an outsider because he is the youngest and wishes he was as tough and strong as everyone else. Johnny is an outsider because he is jealous of the family bond between Pony and his brothers, he wishes his family was like that and he had a place he could call home. Over all Ponyboy and Johnny are the two outsiders that believe as long as they stick together they can make it through anything. This relationship S.E Hinton presented can relate to many readers and help them understand the struggles that are being portrayed in the novel. 

The Outsiders: symbolism ****

Symbolism, the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. S.E Hinton used a few symbols in her novel The Outsiders to represent abstract ideas. There are two symbols that stand out the most, cars and Two-Bit’s switchblade. Cars seem to represent the Socs’ strength, power and authority. They use their cars as protection unlike the greasers who are always on foot and the only protection they have are each other. Also, the socs flaunt their cars to the greasers to make them feel lowly about themselves. Considering the greasers work on cars, most likely know more about them and unfortunately have to work on the socs cars’ at some point. Lastly, the cars mostly represent the socs wealth and they believe having money makes them untouchable. The second symbol is Two-Bit’s switchblade. Two-Bit is the joking greaser who is a shoplifter and is always making nasty remarks towards the socs, causing most of the hatred between the two groups. His stolen switchblade has a sleek black handle and is the most valuable item he owns. All the greasers value the switchblade because it exemplifies the pride they have in being rule breakers and doing what they want. The switchblade to the greasers is like the cars to the socials. With the switchblade in possession, Two-Bit feels a sense of authority, power and strength and protected and prepared for anything. The symbolism is validated when the night of the rumble, the biggest battle between the socials and greasers, Dally is in the hospital and asked Two-Bit for his switchblade. Dally is going to use the switchblade to escape from the hospital and join his fellow greasers at the rumble fully equipped. Sadly when Two-Bit misplaces the switchblade it is confiscated by the police and Dally tragically dies. The symbolism is supported in this scene because it represents protection and when it is lost Dally dies. It shows that with the switchblade the greasers feel protected and without it they are lost and scared. The switchblade makes them feel safer and stronger; it’s a reliable source of protection when desperately needed.   

The Outsiders: theme

When I first read The Outsiders by S.E Hinton I did not fully understand the issues occurring. However, I saw the movie, loved it and had to read the book again. Instantly I understood the theme- connecting with the opposed. Throughout the novel, you learn about the two teenage groups, the Socials and the Greasers. The socials consist of rich young men and women who cherish their finer things. The greasers are poor hard workers whose lives are constant battles, whether they are dealing with money/food shortages, parents arguing or no place to call home. The groups have different opinions and values, which causes an on going rivalry that consists of fights, rude remarks and unfortunately death in each group. Both groups constantly obsess over their social standing because of how important they make it out to be. Growing up in that kind of environment makes you believe, the higher your social ranking the more power and respect you have. Automatically both groups become consumed with this fact and will do anything for that power.  Suddenly the rivalry comes to a standstill when Cherry Valance a soc, has an interest in a greaser named Ponyboy Curtis. They share the same opinion about the rivalry agreeing it is pointless and both have an interest in literature and sunsets. Over time both Ponyboy and Cherry realize that the groups have more in common than they think. In addition, they have the same mentality of sticking together and risking their lives for one another.  The connection shows there is not a huge difference between the groups and the root cause to it all is money. That is what Hinton is trying to express through her novel. That money should not mean anything, especially when it divides young adults into groups and causes agony. Cherry Valance and Phonyboy Curtis relationship shed light on this troubling time. No matter what social group you are in, everyone shares the same misfortunes. Both groups shared some attributes but could not set aside their differences to even notice. S.E Hinton wanted to make it clear to all readers that it does not matter if you are poor or wealthy, boy or girl, social or greaser everyone has conflicts and money is just an object.