- An analytical Essay about S.E Hinton’s “The Outsiders.” By B.E Kolasinac.
Since the publication of The Outsiders, a statement has been looming over our heads; “Is it the rich but ignorant, or the poor but aware, that have more struggles.” Hinton dwells into each aspect of this question. The most prevailing theme in the story is that life is unfair, in the novel Hinton has intertwined both the socials and the greaser’s perspective on life. Not only does she explore both sides, but she also establishes feelings of empathy towards the protagonist, Ponyboy. Hinton does develop a general idea that the Socials have more money and opportunities than the Greasers have at their disposal. Throughout …show more content…
One of the most pivotal moments in the novel is when Bob dies, not only do Johnny and Ponyboy go on the run and are faced with a new set of adversities, but this is also when Hinton produces the first major struggle for the Socs, the death of a friend. A quote that perfectly depicts the position of both the greasers and socs combined state is: “Things are rough all over.” This was said by Cherry Valance when Cherry and Ponyboy were talking about how life is unfair. Even though at the time Ponyboy didn’t realise she was right, it opened up a new perspective to him. Ponyboy, being the protagonist, had the most judgemental opinion of the subject. He believed that the socs had everything better and that they were carefree. His feelings led him to say this “Can you see the sunset real good on the West side? You can see it on the East side too.” This reveals the feeling Ponyboy felt and how he believed that life was just unfair on the greaser’s behalf. He used this analogy saying that they are all people, but with different circumstances. Hinton slowly progresses to display both sides of the teenager’s adversities, proving from every angle, no matter your economic state, that life can be