The Influence Of Gangs In The Outsiders By S. E Hinton

When people make choices that could drastically change their life, the decision they make is based on the influence of others. In the novel The Outsiders by S. E Hinton a gang called the Greasers is stereotyped for being the mean types that slack off at school. Then there are the Socs who are the rich kids with cool cars that happen to like jumping greasers. As these two gangs are going at each other, they both go through so dramatic events that change their perspectives on life. In the novel The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton the character Darrel Curtis is unquestionably influenced by his gang as it prevents him from being successful, to becoming the father of the gang, and overall being someone to look up to. Darrel or Dary has always wanted to become something amazing in life but sadly when his parents died in a fatal car crash, he was left to raise his two younger

If Ponyboy had to describe his older brother, “He looks older than twenty-tough, cool, and smart” (Hinton 6). Having a good image like the one Darry has on the gang can really affect them positively as they look up to someone to hopefully strive for. Darry knew that none of the boys had a father to look up to so instead of being another member of the Greasers, he took the biggest responsibility ever, which is to be the “man” of the the group. Darrel has every internal characteristic of being a good person but he also wants the gang to look their best to keep the reputation of a Greaser high. On the night of the rumble Darry was for sure trying to be an epitome for his gang and maybe even impress the Socs, “Darry had on a black T-shirt that showed every muscle on his chest even the flat hard muscles of his stomach” (Hinton 132). Greasers are always in competition with the Socs, always trying to defeat each other