Themes for the Outsiders
Society and Class
The Outsiders is driven by class conflict. Fourteen-year-old narrator Ponyboy's gang, the Greasers, hail from the economically struggling East Side, while the rival gang, the Socials, come from the wealthy West Side.
The Outsiders is driven by class conflict. Fourteen-year-old narrator Ponyboy's gang, the Greasers, hail from the economically struggling East Side, while the rival gang, the Socials, come from the wealthy West Side.
Loyalty
He doesn't like some of the people in his gang, especially dangerous Dallas Winston, but he would still do anything for Dallas and would defend him from danger if possible. Loyalty, according to Ponyboy, is the thread that holds his gang together. It cuts across their differences. They're loyal to each other because they know each other well, have grown up together, and have faced hard times together. In the case of the Curtis boys, their loyalty is because they are brothers, and orphaned brothers at that.
He doesn't like some of the people in his gang, especially dangerous Dallas Winston, but he would still do anything for Dallas and would defend him from danger if possible. Loyalty, according to Ponyboy, is the thread that holds his gang together. It cuts across their differences. They're loyal to each other because they know each other well, have grown up together, and have faced hard times together. In the case of the Curtis boys, their loyalty is because they are brothers, and orphaned brothers at that.
Love
Ponyboy loves his brother Darrel, but since the loss of their parents, Darrel has become different. Yeah. He's suddenly raising his two teenage brothers, and has taken on all of the responsibilities of a parent. Oh, and Darrel's only twenty years old. Coming to terms with Darrel's position, and seeing the love behind it, is a big part of Ponyboy's growth the novel.
Ponyboy loves his brother Darrel, but since the loss of their parents, Darrel has become different. Yeah. He's suddenly raising his two teenage brothers, and has taken on all of the responsibilities of a parent. Oh, and Darrel's only twenty years old. Coming to terms with Darrel's position, and seeing the love behind it, is a big part of Ponyboy's growth the novel.
Violence
The novel explores the impact of living in a place where a teenager can't even walk home by himself and where fear is the predominant emotion, as is the case for recently orphaned Ponyboy Curtis and his friends. While Ponyboy hates the violence and bullying in his neighborhood, he recognizes the positive benefits of friendly sparring between boys, and even "rumbles," so long as weapons aren't used and everybody plays fair.
The novel explores the impact of living in a place where a teenager can't even walk home by himself and where fear is the predominant emotion, as is the case for recently orphaned Ponyboy Curtis and his friends. While Ponyboy hates the violence and bullying in his neighborhood, he recognizes the positive benefits of friendly sparring between boys, and even "rumbles," so long as weapons aren't used and everybody plays fair.
Isolation
At the beginning of The Outsiders, young narrator Ponyboy Curtis feels isolated from the members of his gang, his brothers, and society at large. His intellectualism and his love of movies, books, and nature aren't really appreciated by the gang, or so he thinks. Pony's status as a Greaser also makes him feel like an outsider, locked out of opportunities that wealthier kids enjoy, and unfairly judged by teachers and other authority figures. Things are looking grim for Ponyboy and the other guys in his gang. But, as the story progresses, Ponyboy becomes more aware of connections between Greasers and Socials and between his friends and loved ones. In the process of writing down his story, he learns the powerful sense of connection that can come from reaching out to other "outsiders," and from bringing their struggles to light.
At the beginning of The Outsiders, young narrator Ponyboy Curtis feels isolated from the members of his gang, his brothers, and society at large. His intellectualism and his love of movies, books, and nature aren't really appreciated by the gang, or so he thinks. Pony's status as a Greaser also makes him feel like an outsider, locked out of opportunities that wealthier kids enjoy, and unfairly judged by teachers and other authority figures. Things are looking grim for Ponyboy and the other guys in his gang. But, as the story progresses, Ponyboy becomes more aware of connections between Greasers and Socials and between his friends and loved ones. In the process of writing down his story, he learns the powerful sense of connection that can come from reaching out to other "outsiders," and from bringing their struggles to light.
Appearances
With a narrator as obsessed with his hair as Ponyboy Curtis is, it's no surprise that that the other characters' looks are also important to him. Clothing and hairstyles might seem like superficial markers, but they're also the means by which people express their public identities. Pony and his gang don't have the cash for designer clothes, but they still manage to develop a distinctive style, which identifies them as Greasers. For much of the story, Pony wishes he had the money to dress more fashionably like the Socials. But he comes to learn that expensive clothes and cars aside, the Socials have problems just like the Greasers do.
With a narrator as obsessed with his hair as Ponyboy Curtis is, it's no surprise that that the other characters' looks are also important to him. Clothing and hairstyles might seem like superficial markers, but they're also the means by which people express their public identities. Pony and his gang don't have the cash for designer clothes, but they still manage to develop a distinctive style, which identifies them as Greasers. For much of the story, Pony wishes he had the money to dress more fashionably like the Socials. But he comes to learn that expensive clothes and cars aside, the Socials have problems just like the Greasers do.
Education
This usually refers to the main character's journey toward self-discovery, and discovery of his or her place in society. Ponyboy Curtis, our protagonist, definitely fits this bill. The novel also examines inequities in educational opportunities due to social and economic factors. Both of Ponyboy's older brothers have had to limit their educations in order to work and support their family. And Ponyboy also feels like lots of teachers are prejudiced against Greasers.
This usually refers to the main character's journey toward self-discovery, and discovery of his or her place in society. Ponyboy Curtis, our protagonist, definitely fits this bill. The novel also examines inequities in educational opportunities due to social and economic factors. Both of Ponyboy's older brothers have had to limit their educations in order to work and support their family. And Ponyboy also feels like lots of teachers are prejudiced against Greasers.
Choices many factors limit the choices of Ponyboy and his friends, including lack of money and fear of violence. For example, Ponyboy wants to spend more time alone, in quiet contemplation and artistic musings. But that's not exactly an option – he has to stay with his gang for protection. Also, even though Darrel did great in school and sports, and even earned a scholarship, college was outside of his financial range.