“Coming of Age” moments are like a seedling breaking through the soil and growing through the obstacles, symbolizing growth and change. They are the events that put us on the brink of childhood and adulthood by helping us figure out what the world really is for ourselves. The novel The Outsiders by S.E Hinton explores the life of Ponyboy, a greaser living in the 1960s, and his gang during this specific period in his life. His character development and the actions of other characters provide insight into how much this maturing age can impact a person. Clearly, the themes of conformity and brotherhood help illustrate the significance of the overarching genre “Coming of Age”.
Undeniably, conformity, a central theme in the novel, is highlighted
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This is displayed in multiple ways as the novel progresses. When Cherry talks to Ponyboy about how she can’t be associated with him, she says, “Ponyboy…I mean… if I see you in the hall at school or someplace and don’t say hi, well it’s not personal or anything, but…we couldn’t let our parents see us with you all”(Hinton 45-46). Cherry’s hesitation and reluctance to be associated in any way to Pony and the other greasers comes from her urge to conform to society’s norms, though she may not agree with them. She knows she’s different from the other Socs, but works hard to keep that aspect of herself under wraps. To be liked by others, she needs to fit in and make sure she doesn’t stand out. Acceptance in society usually comes from conformity and blending in, so this is a prime example of that. Similar to Cherry, I, too, have experienced the pressures of conformity in my life. Conformity has been evident in many different situations in my life, being especially prevalent in school. When I was younger, around second grade, I was bullied for my skin color by my classmates because it was …show more content…
When Ponyboy talks about the bond the greasers have with each other, he explains, “Or I could have gotten one of the gang to come along, one of the four boys Darry and Soda and I have grown up with and consider family. We’re almost as close as brothers; when you grow up in a tight-knight neighborhood like ours you get to know each other real well”(Hinton 3). Pony’s bond he has with the boys in the gang shows how much he really relies on them. Multiple instances in the book have proven this as well. He can count on them for anything and knows they always have his back and vice versa. After his parents’ deaths, they were the people that kept him together and helped him heal. He knows that he can always rely on them for anything and that their connections with each other will never fade. Likewise, I have a group of friends who I know will always be there for me, just like the boys in the gang. My friends, Grace, Joyce, and Maria have unbreakable ties to each other. We’ve known each other since we were babies and have grown up together. We can share anything and everything with each other and love each other for who we are, flaws and all. Being part of this sisterhood has impacted me in many positive ways. I