Delinquency In The Outsiders

Director of The Outsiders (1983), Francis Coppola, used the relationships among gang members and between gangs to explore causes of delinquency and criticize the stereotypes surrounding lower class gang members. Like Coppola, Robert Agnew understood that middle and upper classes commit crimes as well, therefore his theory claims that external stressors, such as unmet expectations or negative stimuli, cause delinquency. Over the course of the movie, both the affluent “Socs” and the underprivileged “Greasers” experience aggravations that provoke criminal behavior. Two of the main characters, Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny Cade, show that despite outside stressors and labels, a “delinquent” can still be considered a hero. In The Outsiders, Greasers

Although this stressor may drive some to commit more serious crimes, it can also result in less serious crimes like shoplifting. Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally sneak into the drive in movie for financial reasons. Their goal was to see the movie, but they did not have the means to pay for it. Therefore, they committed a crime by sneaking into the movie. Another possible origin for delinquent behavior is the loss something positive. Viewers see multiple examples throughout the movie of boys engaging in “delinquent” behavior after the loss of a loved one. Ponyboy and his brothers, Darryl and Sodapop, lost their parents causing 16 year old Sodapop to drop out of high school and work. The Soc boys “lost” their girls to the Greasers and then fought them in the park. Additionally, Dally robbed the store after his friend Johnny died. Loss sparked each of these actions in combination with the individual’s personality and immediate

Johnny, deceased by this point, was convicted for manslaughter, which is less culpable than murder due to the mitigating circumstances. In Johnny’s case, he stabbed Bob with the intentions of severely injuring him to defend Ponyboy. Based on the lack of intent, provocation from the Socs, and Johnny’s goal to defeat Ponyboy, the murder should be excusable homicide. Cherry, a Soc girl, testified on Ponyboy and Johnny’s behalf. Had Johnny been alive to testify, the outcome may have been different. Luckily for Ponyboy, he was found not guilty and allowed to remain under his brother’s