Friendship In The Outsiders By S. E. Hinton

920 Words4 Pages

Aisha Aziz Ms. Elizabeth Lim ELA 8 05 March 2023 Friendship in The Outsiders The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton, tells the story of friendship between two different groups of teenagers, the Greasers and the Socs. True friendships can happen even when you aren't looking and come from opposite worlds. It is necessary to look beyond the surface of things. Friendship is a critical theme in The Outsiders and is highlighted in the relationships between the different characters. The book is set in the 1960s and follows the story of the protagonist, Ponyboy Curtis, as he navigates through life with his family and friends. Through his experiences, Ponyboy learns a great deal about the value of loyalty and friendship. The Greasers are practically family but …show more content…

Johnny and Ponyboy have always been close friends, but they have always been different than the rest of their gang, they're the youngest of the greasers, so innocent and pure. Johnny would do anything for Pony, and he's trying to tell him that as he says, "I had to. They were drowning you, Pony. They might have killed you. And they had a blade... they were gonna beat me up" (Hinton 50). This was said right after Johnny saved Ponyboy's life by stabbing Bob, scaring away all the Socs. Johnny remembers what the Socs did to him last time and he was ready to protect Ponyboy from any threat. Anyone who read The Outsiders would know that Johnny doesn't particularly like fighting and violence, but when his friend is at stake that doesn't matter. Johnny also writes Ponyboy a note reminding him to stay himself. The letter reads " Pony, that's gold. Keep that way, that's a good way to be"(Hinton, 152). This note helped Pony get through Johnny's death, giving him a new perspective on the …show more content…

The sunset is a recurring symbol in The Outsiders, representing the fleeting beauty and innocence that is often lost in the harsh realities of life. It serves as a reminder that even in a world filled with violence and hardship, there is still beauty to be found. Additionally, the quote shows that despite coming from different sides of town, the characters can come together and appreciate the simple things in life. This moment of connection between characters from opposite backgrounds can also be interpreted as a commentary on the societal divides that exist in the novel and the real