Constant Conflict In S. E. Hinton's The Outsiders

Being engaged in constant conflict is never a good thing. In S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, it is no secret that the Greasers and the Socs do not like each other. Main character Ponyboy states, “I’m not saying that either Socs or Greasers are better; that's just the way things are.” (pg.3) This novel is all about two groups of teenagers, the Socs and the Greasers, who loathe each other. The book tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis, a greaser, and the dangers he is put in because of the Socs. When reading the book, people automatically assume that the Socs are to blame for everything that goes wrong the book. However, the Greasers cause most of the fights between the two groups. In the novel, The Outsiders, much of the turmoil and conflict in the

In chapter four, Johnny, Ponyboy's best friend, kills a Soc named Bob. Ponyboy and Johnny go to a park after watching a drive in movie, when they see a blue mustang pull up. After Ponyboy insults the Socs, they attack, and Johnny stabs Bob to protect Ponyboy, who was being attacked by Bob. The greasers may argue that Johnny had no other choice, but the whole incident could have been prevented. When the Socs walked up, Ponyboy insulted them. “You know what a Soc is?...White trash with Mustangs and Madras.”...I spit at them.” (pg. 55) Getting the Socs mad was all Ponyboys fault. They only started attacking them because Ponyboy yelled and spit. The situation could have been avoided if Ponyboy had minded his own business. Ponyboy is to blame for the Socs attacking him. Also, Johnny committed a terrible crime. In chapter four, Johnny “Killed him.” (pg. 56) This evidence simply shows that Johnny killed Bob, an innocent person. Taking someone's life is never ok, even if it was for self defence. The Socs didn't kill anyone, and the Greasers did, which proves that they are the better

In fact, throughout the book, some Socs act mature, unlike the Greasers. In chapter two, the Greasers meet Cherry, a Soc. Throughout the book, she does her best to help them and steer them out of sticky situations. When Ponyboy is complaining about Socs, she says to him, “‘All Socs aren't like that,’ she said. ‘You have to believe me, Ponyboy. Not all of us are like that.” (pg. 34) When Cherry says this, it is clear she wants Ponyboy to understand the good in the world, and that not all Socs are bad people. Likewise, at the end of the book a Soc called Randy comes to speak to Ponyboy about going to court. “‘There's a guy her to see you...his name's Randy.’” This quote shows that Randy wants to fix things and help Ponyboy. It also shows that Randy is mature enough to come and talk to Ponyboy about court. He is willing to admit mistakes and wanted to help, which none of the Greasers were willing to