Belonging In The Outsiders

The novel ‘The Outsiders’ written by S.E Hinton is a young adult fiction published in 1967 that addresses the issues of acceptance and belonging. The novel follows Ponyboy Curtis, a young boy from the wrong side of the tracks, as he navigates his city's difficult social milieu and finds himself in a gang in Tusla, Oklahoma, and how they co-exist with a rival gang. In her novel ‘The Outsiders’ S.E Hinton paints a story about loyalty, acceptance, belonging, friendship, the consequences of actions, and the senselessness of violence. The novel revolves around a 14-year-old boy named Ponyboy who lives with his two older brothers and is also part of a gang that is regularly involved with crime and violence. The characters in The Outsiders demonstrate how they accept everything and belong in a variety of ways. Characters such as Johnny accept their situation and feel that they belong together. ‘The Outsiders’ shows themes such as acceptance, loyalty, belonging, friendship, and identity through the gang, Ponyboy, Johnny, and the two gangs.

For example, Ponyboy's friendship with Johnny, a fellow Greaser, is a testament to the power of acceptance across social boundaries. Although Johnny is from a different background and in a very different situation than Ponyboy, they can form a deep and meaningful bond through their shared experiences and struggles. "Well, I won't. But I gotta do something. It seems like there's gotta be someplace without greasers or Socs, with just people. Plain ordinary people." - In this scene Johnny and Ponyboy are resting together outside, talking about counter with the socs after watching the movie, their relationship together shows how strong and important friendship can be. This is exemplified when Johnny dies protecting Ponyboy and saving young children, demonstrating the ultimate sacrifice that comes with acceptance and