The Greasers Character Analysis

If I were to ask you, in this moment, which factors influenced who you are today, what would you choose to answer? Most likely, a lengthy list would come to your mind. Each individual is incredibly unique and different to all others, shaped by many factors in their life. It can impact their perspective on events around them, their sense of morality, the values they hold most important, the list goes on and on. Who a person is and who they will become can be greatly influenced by the external factors that they are exposed to. Take, for example, the effects of one’s life experiences, family, and culture. The memories of one’s past experiences can greatly impact their perspective and actions, sometimes with drastic results.

Life experiences are an enormous part in what makes people different, and can affect someone’s thoughts and opinions later in their life. On page 90 of The Outsiders, Dally mentions how his time in jail changed him, and that he doesn’t want the same to happen to Johnny. Dally was hardened and altered by the period of time he spent in jail, and made him colder and more apathetic to the …show more content…
We see this in all the Greasers, who were born on the east side, and in the Socs, who were born in the west side. The Greasers have extremely contrasting values to those of the Socs. Greasers are tough and reckless, have tight bonds, and aren’t afraid to get on the wrong side of the law. They live in poverty, pushing them to do things like stealing, and often have to work hard just to make ends’ meat. The Socs, on the other hand, have higher education, more than they could ever need, and are often detached from their emotions. Their parents place high expectations on them, thus they take it out on the Greasers. With few restrictions placed upon them, Socs can get away with most anything they do, making the as well sometimes dangerous, although in another