2. A redefinition of the family
The topic of the family is very often mentioned in children’s literature and in young adult literature. Many aspects are dealt with, such as adoption, abandon, parent- child relationship, absences, the death of a child or a parent, large families, sibling relationship, step family, parental expectations…
Family is depicted differently in young adult literature than in children’s literature, indeed, one recurring aspect we can find in young adult literature is that the parents are noticeably absent or at odds with teenagers. In children’s literature the traditional family is portrayed, parents are most of the time involved in their children’s lives. 2.1. A true brotherhood in The Outsiders
The
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Reconciliation in Tex
Mace and Tex are in a particular situation, they don’t know when and if they will be reunited with their father. When the novel begins, the reader easily understands that the two brothers are used to being alone. We are also told that, this is the first time, their father has been gone this long. His absence is not only physical, but emotional as well. He isn’t involved in their lives, he doesn’t call, or doesn’t send money to help and he has no idea if his children are alright overall it seems he doesn’t miss them or care about their well-being.
Even if, Pop is not there for him, Tex never loses faith in him. In the first chapter he asks his brother if he wrote or call. When he realizes it’s been four months since he had news of his father. He isn’t angry or sad. “It don’t seem that long ago. He’s only been gone five. I guess he’ll be coming home pretty so now that the rodeos are mostly over. Maybe I’ll go with him next year.” He does not resent him for being away, on the contrary, he forgives him and excuses his absence. “And Pop- but he had to come. He always had. He’s just forgot about how long he’d been gone. Anyway, if he knew Mason was gone, he wouldn’t leave me here by myself. I couldn’t imagine being here by