When evaluating a novel, readers expect to find conflicts that skarp their interest. In S.E Hinton’s, That was Then, This is now novel, she shows the conflicts that readers expect. This creates a novel that readers enjoy and want to discuss. When it comes to the conflicts in Hinton’s story, they are found to have several differences, even though problems revolve around similar ideas. In That was Then, This is Now, growing up caused a lot of conflict between the two main characters; Mark and Bryon. When you start to grow up, you find a certain people who change you for the better and that you fall so deeply in love with; for Bryon, it was Cathy. She somehow made him realize that fighting wasn’t worth it, and that he could actually be mature. He had girlfriends before her but he admitted that this time it was different; and it sure was. The two boys had to find a job in order to help support their little family. Due to past decisions and a police record, Mark was unable to receive …show more content…
Mark and Bryon had no idea life would take them where it did. Bryon would always get mad at Mark for getting away with all the horrible things he did; stealing cars, selling drugs, etc. He was always jealous that no matter what, he just never got in serious trouble for anything he did. From the get go, Mark hated Cathy. He knew that Bryon would never have time for him if he was with her. There was always tension between the two. Cathy didn’t necessarily have hate for Mark, but something was there. She thought he was a bad person for smoking marijuana. Mark hated Cathy because all the attention he used to get from Bryon was gone because of her. When Bryon made the decision to go see Mark in jail, Mark was jealous that he was able to be free and do whatever he wants. Mark wouldn’t be able to do that for a long while, and he knew that. For them, jealousy was just love and hate all at the same time, but in the end, things never go as