the outsiders essay about family

• The Outsiders

S.E. Hinton

• Literature Notes
• Themes in The Outsiders
• Book Summary
• About The Outsiders
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis
• Character Analysis
• Ponyboy Curtis
• Darry and Sodapop Curtis
• Johnny Cade
• Dallas (Dally) Winston
• Sherri (Cherry) Valance
• Bob Sheldon
• Randy Adderson
• Character Map
• S.E. Hinton Biography
• Critical Essays
• The Movie versus the Book
• Has Society Changed?
• Full Glossary for The Outsiders
• Essay Questions
• Practice Projects
• Cite this Literature Note

Critical Essays Themes in The Outsiders

As the title suggests, The Outsiders is a theme in itself. Looking at life as an outsider and feeling as though one is being treated as an outsider is a matter of perspective or point of view. Someone who always feels like an outsider may conclude that life is unfair.

Adolescence is a time when teenagers may consider themselves to be adults, but in reality teens are still under the control of others. Parents, teachers, and other authority figures are always telling them how to live their lives. This loss of control inevitably leads to the feeling that life isn't fair. For example, Ponyboy knows that he is not safe walking the streets in his own neighborhood. He could be attacked solely because of the way he is dressed; he feels like an outsider in his own town. His feelings of powerlessness and vulnerability lead him to conclude that life is not fair.

Ponyboy sees injustice on a daily basis. His parents are dead, Darry is forced to work two jobs to support the brothers, Soda has dropped out of school, and the greasers are looked upon as "white trash." He explains that the gang warfare is actually warfare between the economic classes. Because he is from the poor, East Side of town, his place in life is unfairly predetermined.

The evolution of the family relationships is a recurrent theme in the novel. Family relationships are strained during the teen years, but in the Curtis family, the right to stay together as a family is a constant struggle. Since the death of their parents, Darry has assumed the responsibility of guardianship for Pony and Soda, and under that pressure he has aged beyond his years. He no longer views the two boys as siblings, but rather as a responsibility. Darry recognizes Ponyboy's potential and has high expectations for him. Ponyboy complains that Darry is a stricter disciplinarian than his father, but by the end of the book he understands Darry's role: "Darry is a good guardian; he makes me study and knows where I am and who I'm with all the time. . . . My father didn't yell at me as much as he does."

Pony struggles with his expectations for Soda. He is self-conscious about the fact that Soda has dropped out of school, and he wants him to finish his education. Soda did not do well in school, did not like school, and is perfectly content to work in a gas station — a job he loves. Soda also believes that he is doing the right thing by helping to support his family. Pony doesn't care about any of those facts; he just wants Soda to go back to school. Gang relationships are included in the theme of family love. Ponyboy's gang members need the support and security that they find in the gang. The home life situations that these boys find themselves in are often abusive. They have turned to the gang for the love and support that should have come from parents.

Johnny is painfully aware of the difference between the gang and a family and through him Pony begins to understand how lucky he is to have caring family members: "I don't know what it was about Johnny — maybe that lost-puppy look and those big scared eyes were what made everyone his big brother. . . . I thought about it for a minute — Darry and Sodapop were my brothers and I loved both of them . . . they were my real brothers, not just sort of adopted ones." Pony's eventual ability to appreciate his family shows his growth.

The third major theme that runs through The Outsiders is the use of colors in a black and white world. Adolescents have a tendency to embrace people and events as absolutes. For example, someone or something is either right or wrong; there can be no middle ground. The characters in The Outsiders are either Socs or greasers. People are either rich or poor, good or bad. Hinton descriptively uses color throughout the book to define and add depth to the characters in their environments.

Early in the book, she associates warm colors with the Socs and cool colors with the greasers. Warmth usually is equated with inside and cool is associated with outside, and the colors reflect the characters' positions in society: The greasers view the Socs as insiders and themselves as outsiders.

Using many descriptive colors, Hinton paints the greasers as outsiders. In her original descriptions of Ponyboy's gang, she uses cool colors: Ponyboy's eyes are greenish-gray, Darry's eyes "are like two pieces of pale blue-green ice," Dally's eyes are "blue, blazing ice, cold with a hatred," and Two-Bit Mathews has gray eyes.

Dally is the exception to the rule, "His hair was almost white it was so blond." White contains all of the visible rays of the color spectrum. It is a crossover color that cannot be affiliated with anyone or anything, so it is interesting that Dally, who was "tougher than the rest of us — tougher, colder, meaner," was the one with white/blond hair.

White is also used many times throughout the novel to describe fright, "white as a ghost." The color white symbolizes the internalization that there are no absolutes in the world. To realize that people and events may not be purely right or wrong, good or bad, can be frightening. Dally's white hair exemplifies this concept. Dally appears to be the stereotypical hood: cold, hard, and mean. But he is not that extreme persona. Just like the color white contains all the colors of the spectrum, Dally's character covers a broad spectrum. In addition to his cold, mean image, he is Johnny's hero, he is the one who literally gave Pony the coat off his back, he helped to save the children from the fire, and he was a scared boy who reached out to the Curtis brothers when he most needed help at the end of his life.

Throughout the book, Pony matures and grows in his ability to see the full spectrum, to stop dividing the world into black and white, good and bad, insiders and outsiders, greasers and Socs. Pony's fascination with sunsets at the beginning of the book and, later, his appreciation of the countryside around the church hideout ("I loved to look at the colors of the fields and the soft shadings of the horizon") symbolize this development of his character. A sub-theme within this story is the power of three. Three is a cardinal number that is common in American literature and folklore, and to find it as a pivotal theme in this story is not surprising. Americans have grown up with stories such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Three Little Pigs . The Holy Trinity is a major doctrine of the Christian faith.

The three Curtis brothers working together have the power to save their family. Three greasers working together save the lives of children trapped by fire. And the three rings on the fist of a Soc change Johnny's life forever, and ultimately lead to three deaths: Bob's, Johnny's, and Dally's.

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Home | Literature | Book Summary | The Outsiders

Importance of Friendship and Family in the Outsiders Analytical Essay

• Updated March 27, 2023
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In this essay, I argue that the novel, The Outsiders, is about the importance of friendship and family. A key theme throughout the novel is loyalty – with your friends and family, I will explore these themes in this essay.

According to Wikipedia, loyalty is a devotion and faithfulness to a nation, cause, philosophy, country, group, or person. Some people think that loyalty is strictly interpersonal and only another human being can be the object of loyalty. In this analysis, loyalty will be referred to as the interpersonal relationship among family members and a gang.

The outsiders is written in the first person by Ponyboy, a fourteen-year-old orphan who is living with his two older brothers, Darry and Sodapop. Their parents died just eight months before the novel begins. Ponyboy is a member of a gang called, the “greasers” with his friends and they are in a ‘gang war’ against the “socs”. The novel follows a dramatic three week period where Ponyboy runs away from his brothers, his home, witnesses a murder and learns of the true meaning of family, friendship and loyalty.

The importance of friendships for Ponyboy in the novel is underlined throughout the novel. Ponyboy learns from experience what true friendships really are, where you don’t have to pretend or hide your feelings but you can express what you want and you are confident the friend understands you and will not judge you or make fun of you. For example, when Ponyboy tells of his love for sunset to Johnny when they were in hiding “ I loved to look at the colours in the field and the soft shadings of the horizon.” (pages 93-94) Ponyboy had never told anyone that before until he told Johnny and he felt good in telling his friend.

The importance of family is another recurring theme throughout the novel. Ponyboy clearly misses his parents and is still in mourning. So are his older brothers, Darry and Sodapop. But his brother’s have also taken the role of being Ponyboy’s parents and Ponyboy is finding this difficult. Darry is strict with him and also has very high expectations. For example, he always appears cross, but actually really cares and loves his younger brother. He wants the best for his younger brother and for him to do well in school and be able to further his education and get a good job. This is because Darry had to leave school and get a job to keep the family together and in their home.

Another type of family in the novel is the gang, ‘the greasers’. This is explored throughout the novel. For example, Ponyboy’s best friend Johnny has a family who does not care for him and so the gang is like a substitute for Johnny’s family and cares for him.

The importance of loyalty – with friendships and family runs through the novel. The loyalty as a ‘greaser’ is important, particularly when, for example, Ponyboy’s best friend Johnny tells him “ You take up for your buddies no matter what they do when you’re in a gang, you stick up for your members”. ( page 33 )

Throughout the novel, the importance of loyalty was shown through the friendship the greaser gang has for each other. The members of the gang went through a really tough time, with the law and with the death of Johnny. The importance of family and friends sticking together in tough and trying times and helping each other out when they needed help was a recurring theme throughout the novel.

Bibliography

Hinton, S. (n.d.). The outsiders. 40th ed. us: Viking penguin, pp.93-94, 33. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loyalty

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77 The Outsiders Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best the outsiders topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 most interesting the outsiders topics to write about, 👍 good research topics about the outsiders, ❓ the outsiders essay questions.

• Analysis of The Outsiders From the Perspectives of Social Work Theories and Applications The rivalry between the two gangs the Greasers and the Socs turns into the struggle in the context of social problems.
• Ponyboy’s Evolution in Hinton’s “The Outsiders” Two of Ponyboy’s friends die, and he sees a lot of violence in the streets. He is still a part of the gang, and he thinks that violence is a part of their life. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
• The Outsiders: Critical Review Thus, this analytical treatise attempts to explicitly and critically review the elements of storytelling, acting, cinematography, editing, sound and style, directing, themes, genre, and the impact of the film on the society, framing and scene […]
• The Outsiders by Susan Eloise Hinton Therefore, it is crucial to get acquainted with the essence of the novel and analyze its main characters to genuinely comprehend Hinton’s view on the challenges of the teenage age within the framework of this […]
• “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton He thinks that the law is a joke. He was the gang leader of the Socs.
• “Avatar” by Cameron and “The Outsiders” by Coppola: Comparison It is one of the main messages of the film. The movie shows the antagonistic attitude of people to the inhabitants of the planet of Pandora.
• Story Analysis of “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton Cherry’s attraction to Dallas is of essence in the story since it illustrates that the conflict between the two teenage groups is reconcilable.”I had to.
• The Influence of Bad Parenting or the Lack of Parents in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Conflict in “The Outsiders” and the Gap Between the Rich and the Poor
• “The Outsiders”: Ponyboy Compared to Dally
• The Three Life Lessons Learned by Ponyboy in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Wrong Thing for the Wrong Reasons in “Tom Sawyer” and “The Outsiders”
• The Idea of Social Class in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Common Issues of Dependence in “A Separate Peace” and “The Outsiders”
• The Characters of Jack and Ralph in “Lord of the Flies” and the Character of Pony in “The Outsiders”
• The Socioeconomic Triggers of Juvenile Delinquency: Analysis of “The Outsiders”
• The Use of Stereotypes in “The Outsiders”
• Overcoming Obstacles in “The Outsiders” and “The Time Traveler”
• Common Issues Highlighted in “The Outsiders” and “Saints and Roughnecks”
• The Act of Self Defense in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Banning of Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” and Hinton’s “The Outsiders” in U.S. Schools
• The Relationship Between Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally in S. E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders”
• “The Outsiders”: Codependence Analysis of Business Cycles in Europe
• The Similarities Between Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” and Hinton’s “The Outsiders”
• The True Meaning of a Hero in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Positive and Negative Impacts of “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Definition of a Social Class in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Ups and Downs of “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• Comparing the Differences Between Johnny and Dally in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Different Types of People in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Development of Two Social Outcasts Into Strong and Dependable Individuals in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “The Outsiders”
• The Five Stages of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• Death Presented in the Novels “Of Mice and Men” and “The Outsiders”
• An Analysis of the Story of Brotherhood in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Hero’s Journey in S. E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders”
• The Story of Conflict Between the Greasers and the Socs in S. E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders”
• The Idea of Social Acceptance in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Concepts of Conformity and Staying True to One’s Self Portrayed in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Character of Cherry Valance in S. E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders”
• The Theme of Alienation in “The Count of Monte Cristo,” “Invisible Man,” “Not Like Other Boys,” and “The Outsiders”
• The Rivalry Between “The West Side Story” and “The Outsiders”
• The Significance of Stereotypes Illustrated in Hinton’s “The Outsiders”
• The Courage, Selflessness, and Care of Johnny Cade in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Three Deaths in Hinton’s “The Outsiders”
• The Inspiration From the Authors’ Lives in “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe and “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• The Difference Between the Greasers and Socs in “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton
• Events in Life That Can Induce the Loss of Innocence in S. E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders” and Richard Wright’s “Black Boy”
• What Are the Issues Explored and Techniques Used in S. E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders”?
• Who Are Your Close Ties in S. E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders”?
• How Does Ponyboy Change Through “The Outsiders”?
• What Are Conflicts of the Main Character Ponyboy Curtis in “The Outsiders”?
• What Is the Moral Lesson of “The Outsiders”?
• How Does the Division Between the East Side and the West Side Represent the Conflict Within “The Outsiders”?
• Why Should “The Outsiders” Be Taught in School?
• Is the Violence Shocking, Predictable, Boring, or Melodramatic in “The Outsiders”?
• What Do Johnny’s Last Words Mean in “The Outsiders”?
• How Does the West Side Story Compare to “The Outsiders”?
• What Is the Difference Between Ponyboy the Narrator and Ponyboy the Character in “The Outsiders”?
• How Do Dally and Johnny Compare in “The Outsiders”?
• What Elements in “The Outsiders” Make the Story More Real?
• How Many Chapters Are in “The Outsiders”?
• What Does Johnny Mean When He Tells Ponyboy “Stay Gold” in “The Outsiders”?
• What Is the Most Important Message in “The Outsiders”?
• How Did the Ponyboy’s Loss of Innocence Begin Before “The Outsiders” Begun?
• What Major Themes Are Seen in “The Outsiders”?
• How Do Cars Fill the Gap of the Differences Between the Two Socioeconomic Groups in “The Outsiders”?
• What Message Is Implied at the End of “The Outsiders”?
• Which Things in the Story Would Have Remained the Same if Ponyboy’s Parents Had Still Been Alive in “The Outsiders”?
• What Draws Cherry to the Greasers in “The Outsiders”?
• What’s the Symbolism of the Switchblade Knife in “The Outsiders”?
• What Are the Reasons Cherry Gets Attracted to the Greasers in “The Outsiders”?
• How Do “The Outsiders” Relate to the Real World?
• What Are Similarities Between Johnny and Dally in “The Outsiders”?
• What Are the Conflicts Introduced by the Reader at the Start of “The Outsiders”?
• Why Did Dally Tell Johnny Not Turn Himself in “The Outsiders”?
• What Messages Was the Author Trying to Convey by Writing “The Outsiders”?
• How Do Ponyboy’s Feelings Toward Randy Reflect the Conflict Between the Socs and the Greasers in “The Outsiders”?
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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The Outsiders

S. e. hinton, everything you need for every book you read..

Ponyboy stands in the middle of two major conflicts: the conflict between the Socs and greasers, and the conflict between Ponyboy and Darry within the Curtis family. In the gang conflict, the novel shows how the two groups focus on their differences—they dress differently, socialize differently, and hang out with different girls—and how this focus on superficial differences leads to hate and violence. Yet the novel also shows how the two groups depend on their conflict in order to continue to exist. The greasers, for instance, live by a pledge to "stick together" against the Socs. Without the conflict, the two gangs' individual members might go their own way.

The novel's other divided community is Ponyboy's immediate family. Like the conflict between Socs and greasers, the conflict between Darry and Ponyboy is fueled by misperceptions. Just as the Socs and greasers are unable to see past their superficial differences to their deeper similarities, Darry and Ponyboy can't see past their own limited view to understand each other's actions. Ponyboy misinterprets Darry's desperate desire to deliver Ponyboy from the poverty and strife of their neighborhood as antagonism, while Darry interprets Ponyboy's quest to escape his conflict-ridden existence as irresponsibility and lack of consideration.

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Divided Communities Quotes in The Outsiders

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — American Literature — “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton

"The Outsiders" by S. E. Hinton

• Categories: American Literature Novel The Outsiders

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Words: 543 |

Published: Jan 15, 2019

Words: 543 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Greasers Versus Socs in The Outsiders

Hook examples for “the outsiders” essay.

• 1. Startling Contrast: In the world of “The Outsiders,” two rival groups, the Socs and the greasers, clash in a battle that goes beyond their economic differences. But have you ever stopped to wonder which group truly embodies the essence of societal disgrace and menace?
• 2. Personal Revelation: As I immersed myself in the pages of “The Outsiders,” I couldn’t help but draw parallels between the fictional world and our own society. The contrasting lives of the Socs and the greasers offer profound insights into privilege, loyalty, and what it means to be a societal menace.
• 3. Character Dynamics: Imagine a world where appearances and social status dictate your destiny. Dive into the gritty world of the Socs and the greasers, where loyalty, violence, and societal norms collide to shape the characters’ fates.
• 4. A Tale of Loyalty: In the midst of turmoil and violence, one theme remains constant – loyalty. Explore how the greasers, bound by an unbreakable code, stand together, while the Socs, with their privilege and detachment, reveal a different side of human nature.
• 5. The Thin Line: “The Outsiders” forces us to confront the thin line that separates societal conformity from societal disgrace. Join me as we dissect the actions and motivations of these unforgettable characters and ask ourselves, who is the real menace?

Works Cited

• Frost, R. (1923). Nothing gold can stay. In New Hampshire (pp. 52-53). Henry Holt and Company.
• Hinton, S. E. (1967). The Outsiders. Viking Press.
• Hinton, S. E. (1995). The Outsiders: 30th anniversary edition. Puffin Books.
• Jenkins, R. (2005). Rethinking ethnicity: Identity, categorization and power. Sage Publications.
• Jones, M. (1994). Socialization in context: Connection, regulation, and autonomy in the family, school, and neighborhood, and with peers. Journal of personality and social psychology, 67(4), 536-548.
• Kendall, F. E. (2006). Sociology in our times. Cengage Learning.
• Macionis, J. J. (2018). Sociology. Pearson.
• Schwalbe, M. (2017). The sociologically examined life: Pieces of the conversation. Oxford University Press.
• Scott, J., & Marshall, G. (2005). A dictionary of sociology. Oxford University Press.
• Wacquant, L. (2009). Punishing the poor: The neoliberal government of social insecurity. Duke University Press.

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It is not clear how running for the second-highest office in the land would work with his day job. He said recently that he hoped to play in the N.F.L. for “two or three or four more years.”

It would also not be the first time Mr. Rodgers sought to add a side gig to his football career. In 2021, while playing for the Packers, he was among those who auditioned to be the host of the quiz show “Jeopardy!”

A spokesman for the New York Jets did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The team is owned by Woody Johnson, a prominent donor to former President Donald J. Trump. Mr. Trump appointed Mr. Johnson to be his ambassador to Britain.

Mr. Rodgers has been outspoken on political and social issues in recent years. Last month, in an appearance on Joe Rogan’s popular podcast, Mr. Rodgers said he had lost friends, allies and sponsorships over his public decision not to get vaccinated.

Mr. Rodgers has promoted his skepticism about Covid vaccines during his regular guest spots on the ESPN show hosted by Pat McAfee, a former football punter-turned-podcaster. In January, Mr. Rodgers had a spat with the late-night host Jimmy Kimmel when he falsely suggested court documents would link Mr. Kimmel with Jeffrey Epstein during an appearance on Mr. McAfee’s show.

Mr. Rodgers was an early backer of Mr. Kennedy’s presidential bid. Last month, Mr. Kennedy shared a picture on social media of them hiking together.

Mr. Ventura, 72, was famous in the 1970s and ’80s as a professional wrestler known as Jesse “the Body” Ventura, and he also appeared in movies and television before he entered politics. He was elected governor of Minnesota in 1998 on the Reform Party ticket, and served for one term.

He has since become a prominent figure in independent and third-party politics. He has written several books, and now has a Substack , “Die First Then Quit,” with his son.

In a YouTube interview four months ago, Mr. Ventura said he would consider an offer from Mr. Kennedy to serve on his ticket.

Reid J. Epstein and Maggie Haberman contributed reporting. Kitty Bennett and Susan C. Beachy contributed research.

Rebecca Davis O’Brien covers campaign finance and money in U.S. elections. She previously covered federal law enforcement, courts and criminal justice. More about Rebecca Davis O’Brien

Our Coverage of the 2024 Elections

Presidential Race

Donald Trump, who ends many of his rallies with a churchlike ritual, has infused his movement with Christianity .

Trump posted a video to his social media website that features an image of President Biden with his hands and feet tied together .

A campaign event intending to galvanize support among organized labor and Latino voters behind Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s bid instead drew condemnation from the family of the labor organizer Cesar Chavez .

Other Key Races

Tammy Murphy, New Jersey’s first lady, abruptly ended her bid for U.S. Senate, a campaign flop that reflected intense national frustration with politics as usual .

Kari Lake, a Trump acolyte running for Senate in Arizona, is struggling to walk away from the controversial positions  that have turned off independents and alienated establishment Republicans.

Ohio will almost certainly go for Trump this November. Senator Sherrod Brown, the last Democrat holding statewide office, will need to defy the gravity of the presidential contest  to win a fourth term.