The Role Of Families In S. E. Hinton's The Outsiders

305 Words2 Pages
In S.E Hinton's novel, The Outsiders, the author explores the idea that communities of people help each other like family. Johnny's real family acted like he didn't exist, so to him the gang was his family. Without the gang Johnny wouldn't be the the way he is. The gang acted like his family by caring for him, always being there for him, and treating him like a brother.

Johnny was loved by the gang more than he thought. ¨Johnny was the only thing Dally loved.¨ Without Johnny Dally would be just a criminal in a gang. ¨We needed Johnny as much as he needed the gang.¨ Johnny was the one who kept the gang together. Johnny only had the gang, but that is all he needed.

Johnny had everything he needed, but not everything he wanted. ¨Johnny