Noreen-Ever Felt Like an Outsider?

 

“You take up for your buddies, no matter what they do. When you're a gang, you stick up for the members. If you don't stick up for them, stick together, make like brothers, it isn't a gang anymore. It's a pack.”

As I watched my 7th grade English teacher point to the stack of books we would be reading for the next few weeks, my mind filled with wonder and anticipation. We always read meaningful novels, so I knew our next would be impactful. However, I was not expecting The Outsiders to still hold a special place in my heart today. The coming of age novel by SE Hinton details the conflict between two rival gangs of different socioeconomic status, the working-class “Greasers” and upper-class “Socs.” Greaser Ponyboy Curtis, the teenage protagonist, narrates in first-person perspective. 

“You take up for your buddies, no matter what they do. When you're a gang, you stick up for the members. If you don't stick up for them, stick together, make like brothers, it isn't a gang anymore. It's a pack” (Hinton 26). These words illustrate the dynamic of the group we follow. Ponyboy, Soda, Darrel, Two-Bit, Steve, Dallas, and Johnny have a strong bond and mature together throughout the story. There are many fights between the Greasers and Socs. In each of them we see the Greasers protecting each other like a family. One example of loyalty within the gang is when TwoBit takes care of sick Ponyboy while his brothers are at work. Not only do the older members look out for the younger ones, but they all have a deep understanding for one another that is shown in the way they communicate and care for each other. 

The boys are quite literally a family. Ponyboy’s parents passed away in a car crash when he was younger and the other kids do not have positive role models or proper discipline. Therefore, they look to the other members for support. We see their strong relationship during a fight with the Socs. Darry says, "Listen, Soda, you and Ponyboy, if the fuzz show, you two beat it out of there. The rest of us can only get jailed. You two can get sent to a boys' home" (Hinton 117). Darry has no choice but to be the father figure. Although the Greasers take each fight seriously, they understand the consequences some members may suffer from if things get out of hand. They know everyones' strengths and weaknesses well after spending so much time together.

All in all, The Outsiders greatly represents socioeconomic issues and the cycle of violence. I am still touched by the themes of loyalty and support it holds. The Greasers show a brotherhood and deep respect for each other. I recommend The Outsiders to anyone who wants to look at life as an outsider or feels like one. Similar to many teenagers today, Ponyboy also feels like an outsider. He faces many injustices and struggles, but grows as a person, becomes more responsible, and understands life in a deeper way as the story develops. The Outsiders is a classic and touching novel that still holds deep relevance today.