Why Weren T You His Friends Analysis

Comparing Identities “In the social jungle of human existence, there is no feeling of being alive without a sense of identity.” --Erik Erickson. One’s identity is shown by their actions, thoughts, and where they place themselves in society. In the short stories “On the Sidewalk Bleeding” by Evan Hunter, “Why Weren’t You His Friends?” by Bob Greene, and The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, the theme identity has been consistent the whole way. In “On the Sidewalk Bleeding,” Andy, a gang member of the Royals, dies after getting stabbed in the back with a blade. As Andy lies on the ground dying, he thinks about who he truly is; Andy, or a Royal. “Why Weren’t You His Friends?”’s main character Curtis Taylor gets bullied in school. This event makes him question his identity and think horribly about himself. The Outsiders surrounds the story of Ponyboy, who is stereotyped as a Greaser. Each character in these three stories all think differently about their identity when they come across troubles. Andy, from “On the Sidewalk Bleeding”, changes the way he thinks he is: “If he died, he was Andy. He was not a Royal. He was simply Andy, and he was dead” (Hunter 3). The author is trying to say that Andy was not supposed to be stabbed. He only died because he was wearing the

Ponyboy has two older brothers name Darry and Sodapop. Unlike his brothers, Ponyboy is still going to school and is highly educated. One thing that is special about Ponyboy is that he is stereotyped as a Greaser when he thinks that Socs and Greasers can stop fighting. “‘All Socs aren’t like that,’ she said. ‘You have to believe me, Ponyboy. Not all of us are like that’” (Hinton 31). Stereotypes cover someone’s true identity, making others know the false statement instead of the true fact. Ponyboy and Andy are quite similar in one way; they are both part of a gang. Andy, Ponyboy, and Curtis are different since their identities are all