Outsiders free essay sample

Ponyboy Curtis is a 14-year-old boy whose world has been turned upside down. His parents were killed in an automobile accident just eight months before The Outsiders story takes place. He lives with his oldest brother, Darry, who is 20 years old and has legal custody of him and his other brother, Sodapop, who is 16. Darry characterizes Ponyboy as lacking common sense. Pony agrees with this assessment. He readily admits that he is smart at school, but sometimes he just doesnt think. These occasions get Pony into trouble that he could avoid. This is one aspect of his character that readers are able to see evolve throughout the book. Ponyboy learns that his behavior impacts others, and this newly acquired maturity leads to the telling of The Outsiders story. The brothers are greasers, a class term that refers to the young men on the East Side, the poor side of town. We will write a custom essay sample on Outsiders or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page They are known for their long, greased hair. The brothers also belong to a small, tightly knit neighborhood gang. Pony explains, there are just small bunches of friends who stick together, and the warfare is between the social classes. Pony is the youngest member of their gang, and the other gang members represent extended family members to him. He is able to find security in his friendships with them, and they help fill the void created by his parents deaths. Ponyboy narrates the novel, and this narration is a catharsis for him. The reader is able to see the changes in Ponys viewpoints as he is dealing with many issues that are common in an adolescents life. The most powerful issue is that life is not fair. From the deaths of his parents, to the economic conditions that cast them as greasers, to the deaths of his friends, life is not fair to Ponyboy. During this two-week period, Pony has to weather three deaths — two greasers and one from the rival gang, the Socs. The Socs, short for Socials, are the West-side rich kids. By realizing that death at a young age is equally unfair for all of them, Pony is able to not only survive, but to justify his own existence. He takes it upon himself to make their deaths mean something. Darry and Sodapop Curtis are Ponyboys older brothers who, along with being greasers, are adjusting to life on their own. Darry has taken over the esponsibility of guardianship, forfeiting college and working to enable the three of them to stay together. Soda, never very good in school, has dropped out at age 16 and is working to help support the family. Both boys focus on the future of Ponyboy; ensuring his success is the driving force of the family. Perspective is a very important issue that runs throughout this novel. Being an outsider is a matter of perspective. The brothers relationships are viewed di fferently according to each others perspective. Pony resents Darrys constant nagging and discipline. But Darry is imposing these rules out of concern for Ponys well-being. Pony loves Soda and is thankful for him: Soda always takes up for me. But he is unaware that the strain of being the one in the middle is almost too much for Soda: @Golly, you two, its bad enough having to listen to it, but when you start trying to get me to take sides. . . . Tears welled up in his eyes, Were all weve got left. Dally Winston had been in gangs in New York City before joining the greasers. He is Ponyboys least favorite member of the gang, and Pony considers him tougher, colder, meaner. Johnny and Pony turn to Dally when they need help escaping after Johnny kills Bob.