What would you do, if you grew up in a city full of gangs and violence, with barely any parental supervision? S.E. Hinton explains how developing in this types of cities can enhance or destroy the relationships most important to yourself in The Outsiders, That Was Then This is Now and Rumble Fish. Hinton tests the effects of morality, loyalty and evaluation and how it affects what is valued most in ones life. S.E. Hinton clearly has a recurring theme of loyalty and morality between confused adolescents, in poverty and violence infected urban areas and how it can make or break important relationships in your life. S.E. Hinton suggests that in poverty and violence infected urban areas, loyalty and morality can make or break important relationships
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Johnny and Pony are around the same age which allows them to get along better rather than the others. Johnny is very envious of Pony’s life because in comparison, Johnny has a terrible life. Pony always complains about his troubles at home and his problems with his brother Darrell, whilst Johnny gets beat by his father and he also gets completely ignored by his own mother. He could go weeks without returning home, sleeping at the park and Johnny’s parents would not even take any notice. On a very late evening, Ponyboy has a dispute with Darrell because he returned hours past his curfew. Darrell hits Ponyboy for the first time. Darry immediately regrets his action and starts apologizing. Pony is in such shock that he doesn’t want to hear anything from Darry or anyone and he runs away. Johnny sees Pony running and he runs after him. Johnny catches up and calms Pony down a bit. The two started walking along a park and were suddenly are attacked by a few members of the rival gang; The Socs. After the attack when Ponyboy gains consciousness, his first sight is Johnny, and Johnny tells him “I had to. They were drowning you Pony. They might of killed you. And they had a blade (56)…” The thugs were trying to drown Pony in the nearby fountain but Johnny had killed the muggers with his switchblade that he always carries around in an attempt to save Ponyboy’s life. The ultimate act of loyalty, “ I hadn’t realized Johnny was behind me all the way. (108) Pony didn’t realize how strong of a bond he had with his friend Johnny and he found out through a dramatic
Johnny and Pony are around the same age which allows them to get along better rather than the others. Johnny is very envious of Pony’s life because in comparison, Johnny has a terrible life. Pony always complains about his troubles at home and his problems with his brother Darrell, whilst Johnny gets beat by his father and he also gets completely ignored by his own mother. He could go weeks without returning home, sleeping at the park and Johnny’s parents would not even take any notice. On a very late evening, Ponyboy has a dispute with Darrell because he returned hours past his curfew. Darrell hits Ponyboy for the first time. Darry immediately regrets his action and starts apologizing. Pony is in such shock that he doesn’t want to hear anything from Darry or anyone and he runs away. Johnny sees Pony running and he runs after him. Johnny catches up and calms Pony down a bit. The two started walking along a park and were suddenly are attacked by a few members of the rival gang; The Socs. After the attack when Ponyboy gains consciousness, his first sight is Johnny, and Johnny tells him “I had to. They were drowning you Pony. They might of killed you. And they had a blade (56)…” The thugs were trying to drown Pony in the nearby fountain but Johnny had killed the muggers with his switchblade that he always carries around in an attempt to save Ponyboy’s life. The ultimate act of loyalty, “ I hadn’t realized Johnny was behind me all the way. (108) Pony didn’t realize how strong of a bond he had with his friend Johnny and he found out through a dramatic