Michael McGalliard
4th Period
Themes of The Outsiders
What are some typical things that are on your mind everyday? If you were Ponyboy Curtis, you might say death, violence, and gangs. Ponyboy is the main character in The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton. This book is full of many themes, such as loyalty, bravery, and belonging. These themes come together to form a complex and emotional novel. One of the explicit ideas in The Outsiders is that people, even if from different social standpoints, aren’t that different on the inside. Hinton displays this by using two different groups, the Socs (a richer gang living on the west side of town) and the Greasers (a poorer gang living on the east side of town). Ponyboy, a Greaser, sees the Socs side of the story early in the plot by talking to one, Cherry Valance. After their conversation, Pony thinks, “I really couldn’t see what Socs would have to sweat about - good grades, good cars, good girls, madras and Mustangs and Corvairs – Man, I thought, if I had worries like that I’d consider myself lucky. I know better now.” Ponyboy realized that even though the Socs are very wealthy, they still have problems. After this revelation, Ponyboy begins to feel from the point of view of Socs. This shapes Pony’s actions throughout the book, causing him to feel for them, understand their pain, and help him to overcome his own grief. The next theme is a little more poetic. In chapter 5, Ponyboy makes a reference to Frost’s poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” which is about how things start well, and then fade. This poem is integrated into the storyline through Dally, a main member of the Greaser gang. Dally has had hardship in his life, and now he’s hard and cold. Ponyboy’s best friend, Johnny, doesn’t want Pony to become like Dally. Sadly, Johnny’s last words are “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.” The title of the novel, The Outsiders, hints of the last main theme: belonging. It’s believed that gangs (of kids) construct from members who don’t have strong family lives. They feel unwanted, like “outsiders,” and need a group to belong to. This theory is supported in the book. Look at the Greasers: Dally’s parents don’t care about him, Johnny’s parents are abusive and uncaring, and Ponyboy’s parents are dead. This explains why these boys needed a “family,” people they can trust and depend on. As a result, the Greasers were created. The Outsiders is about love, hate, and what happens because of them. This novel contains intricate themes, such as fitting in and not being ruined by problems, as well as many concealed messages. Some examples are that being helpful to others is always worth it, and that violence hurts both the victim and the perpetrator. Hinton’s book can appeal to both children and adults, because we all can relate to the subjects it covers. That’s what makes it great.