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Theme Of Social Class In The Outsiders

Decent Essays

In The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, there are many important themes, including recognizing the importance of family, understanding how social class can mold who you are as a person, and facing challenges. The main characters in the novel faced challenges due to their circumstances and social class. Through these challenges, they learned the importance of family and friends and had to make mature decisions. By the end of the novel, Ponyboy especially, had grown up staggeringly. Although Ponyboy has dealt with problems in his family and because of his low social class he matured throughout the novel. The main theme of The Outsiders centers around the importance of family. Ponyboy and his brothers made sacrifices for their family. Darry, the eldest brother, had a chance to go to college and be successful, but he chose to take care of his two brothers, Ponyboy and Sodapop. Family doesn't have to be blood. Johnny’s parents abused him, so he felt like the Greasers were more of family to him than his parents. The Greasers supported, protected, and looked out for Johnny. The Socs, who are the Greasers biggest enemies, turned to their gang for family too because the parents of the Socs only gave their children money and didn't take care of them. Society and class was another big theme in The Outsiders. Ponyboy was born into a low social class. His parents died, so he had to rely on his brothers and the Greasers. They were poor and had to work to get basic needs like food and water. Since the Greasers had a low social class they were looked down upon as trouble makers even when they were being helpful. When Ponyboy and Johnny saved children out of a burning church, it was written in the paper that juvenile delinquents had turned heros. The Socs on the other hand had money. They fancy cars like Mustangs and Corvairs and wore nice clothes. They were considered heroes even though they didn’t do anything heroic. They caused trouble in the neighborhood by throwing “beer blasts” and jumping Greasers. Society overlooked character due to social class. Social classes limit people too. Darry, a Greaser and Paul, a Soc had the same qualities to be successful and go to college. Darry however, was held back because

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