An Outsider In S. E. Hinton's The Outsiders

In the novel by S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, Ponyboy struggles to understand right from wrong in society as he believes he is an outsider. Hinton uses the Notice and Note Signpost, Aha Moment, to develop the story and help the reader better understand the situation at play. Ponyboy ponders, “Maybe the two different worlds we lived in weren’t so different. We saw the same sunset." (Hinton, 40-41) This realization could change Ponyboy's perspective and help him to see the Socs as people and not enemies. It may also encourage him to be more understanding and kind to the Socs, leading to a more peaceful relationship between the two groups. Also, Pony is sitting with Cherry talking like they knew each other forever but they had just met. Cherry is a Soc and Pony is a greaser,

It implies that people from different backgrounds like the greasers and socs may share similar experiences and by not making assumptions about each other, they can begin to have a mutual understanding with each other. This might lead Ponyboy to struggle with the idea that he could be wrong about the socs. Subsequently, Ponyboy later states that “I thought suddenly… I shouldn’t be here.” (Hinton, 141)Ponyboy had just entered the big rumble between the greasers and socs. He had realized that maybe this life was not for him and that he shouldn’t be in this rumble. This could lead to him not participating in any more rumbles but doing so would also make him feel more like an outsider. Throughout the novel, Pony believes he is destined to be a greaser because all his friends and remaining family are. To not be a greaser would be betraying them and how could he betray his loved ones? He struggles to figure out if being a greaser is the right decision for his life or if he should find his path in life, leaving the greaser life