ipl-logo

The Theme Of Belonging In The Outsiders, By S. E. Hinton

458 Words2 Pages

To belong to something is to be part of an organization, group or even a family. The Cambridge Dictionary defines belonging as “A feeling of being happy or comfortable as a part of a particular group and having a good relationship with the other members of the group because they welcome or accept you”. In The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton, the author, explains belonging through the lens of gang members such as Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade and Dallas Winston. All three of these characters are associated with gang life, a sense of loneliness and a desire to find their place in the world. Ponyboy has to learn and experience new things throughout the story. He learns to mature and fight far too early when he should have had the chance to be a kid who was smart and good …show more content…

“We are just a small bunch of friends who stick together, in this warfare between the social classes.” This shows that he finds a sense of comfort in the gang. He sees them as an extended family instead of a gang. This helps him in gang life. Johnny shows a sense of loneliness. Before he was forced into temporary isolation in the church he was abused, beaten down and scared. Although he was never truly lonely he was depressed and getting beaten by the socs just added to the hole of depression and loneliness. EVan in the gang he was more alone than not he was considered the gang pet or a lost puppy. He was lonely because he was unnoticed and no one understood him. “I walk in that house nobody says anything. I walk out and nobody says anything. I stay away all night, and nobody notices. At least you got soda. I ain't got nobody” Johnny claimed. Dallas has been in multiple gangs in his life. He has committed lots of crimes in his time. Before he was a greaser he lived in New York and was associated with other gangs there. He was considered tougher, colder and

Open Document