Outsiders (Puffin Modern Classics)
by S E Hinton
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Book Summary Information
Author: S E HintonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-03-06
ISBN: 0141314575
Number of pages: 240
Publisher: Puffin
Book Reviews of Outsiders (Puffin Modern Classics)
Book Review: 9th grade book review
Summary: 5 Stars
The Outsiders was a great literary experience. Unlike other class assigned novels, this one was very interesting. How so? Well, teens these days aren't so interested in reading novels that take place during the American Revolution, or any other historical themes they can't relate to. The Outsiders takes place in a time period that may not be the time period they live in, but is very close. The novel contains many modern day themes and situations that kids of this time period will understand. There are fights, guns, fires, drugs, romance, and murder. Teens tend to enjoy something if it is close to real life, or something they have experienced. The Outsiders is that something.
Set in a small neighborhood, live 2 social groups: The Greasers and The Socs. The Greasers are the lower class guys in town, while the Socs are upper class. These two groups have been at it for years, and showed no signs of stopping. That is, until the main character, Ponyboy Curtis, encounters a tragedy that will change the groups' lives forever, as well as his own. Ponyboy is a high school student who lives with his 2 brothers on the "rough side of town". Ponyboy is a straight A student, a track star, and a well-mannered kid. But not all is perfect in Ponyboy's life.
His parents died in a car accident, and he is a member of the Greasers along with his brothers Darry and Sodapop. Darry Curtis is the oldest of the brothers who could have made it big in college. After his parents' deaths, he is forced to cut college and support his brothers. Darry can be described as buff, big, responsible, and very strict. He yells at Ponyboy constantly, just to keep him in line so he can live the life Darry could have had.
Ponyboy believes otherwise. Sodapop is the family mascot, as he is funny, and always happy. Or so his brothers think. It seems that Sodapop can make the sad man happy, and can wash the frown off of anybody's face. Sodapop is Ponyboy's hero, just like how today young kids look up to siblings and worship them. The Curtis brothers are greasers, as stated before. Not only are the brothers Greasers, but their closest friends are too.
This includes the brutal Dallas, the peaceful Johnny, the wise crack Two Bit, and Steve.
This novel is mashed together by 3 themes: Loyalty, Leadership, and Social Differences.
There is much mention of loyalty in the novel, because of the gang members stick together and never turn their backs on each other. When Dallas is mentioned to have been jailed several times in the story, the gang never turns their backs on him, and are not ashamed of giving him the title of "friend", even though Dallas is the most feared guy in town. Friends come before reputation in the outsiders, and that is true loyalty.
Leadership was another major theme in The Outsiders. The Greasers are nothing without their leader, and they fear that they would fall apart without one. There are two debatable leaders in the outsiders: Darry Curtis and Johnny Cadge. Darry is a leader on the outside, while Johnny is a leader on the inside. Darry is a leader, because he is the most responsible man in the gang. The Greasers also see Darry as the toughest of them all, which clearly states their beliefs for a strong leader. Johnny on the other hand, shows none of these characteristics. He is not very smart, brave, or strong, but everyone in the Greasers has a place in their heart for Johnny. Johnny's parents are abusive drunks who honestly wouldn't care if Johnny died. Johnny has never experienced a real family, and the Greasers ARE that family. Everybody in the gang respects him, and listens to his request. Even Dallas will listen to Johnny's requests, and he doesn't listen to anybody but himself. The gang believes that the only reason why the gang hasn't broken up is because of Johnny. Without him, they fear that the Greasers will just be some other destroyed gang. This is proof that Johnny might possibly be 2nd in command of the Greasers. The last theme is a big one that basically IS the book's plot.
This theme is called "Dispute between social classes". As stated, Greasers are lower class, Socs are high class. Socs drive mustangs, Greasers drive their feet. Socs drink alcohol, Greasers drink soda. Greasers have long, greasy hair, Socs have short, clean hair. These two groups are the exact opposites, and continue to fight over their differences. Fights burn on, just so the groups can prove who is better than the other.
The book is almost entirely involved on the never ending disputes of the two groups.
That is what makes this theme, the most important.
This book is a classic, and I'd recommend it to just about anyone. Although this review makes the novel sound like a violent bloodbath, it really isn't. There's plenty of drama, romance, crime, and even humor. I'd give this book a four out of five. I don't give it a five because some events are a bit too old, and a bit unbelievable. Now I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll leave it up to the readers to understand what it is I'm saying.
"The Outsiders" is a great novel that is intended for today's youth, who will get a better understanding of the events. You do not want to miss out on "The Outsiders".
Summary of Outsiders (Puffin Modern Classics)
Greasers, Rockers, different place, different name - but wherever they are, they're outsiders; the rough, tough, long-haired boys from the other side of town, with little hope of Mustangs, madras shirts and the good things of American life in the Sixties. Their story is told by Ponyboy, a greaser with good reason to rear the lucky boys in Mustangs, and a witness to the savage baiting that leads his best friend to manslaughter. More than a story of hatred and violence, also a story of loyalty and friendship as teenagers of the urban slums search for personal dignity and a place in the world.According to Ponyboy, there are two kinds of people in the world: greasers and socs. A soc (short for "social") has money, can get away with just about anything, and has an attitude longer than a limousine. A greaser, on the other hand, always lives on the outside and needs to watch his back. Ponyboy is a greaser, and he's always been proud of it, even willing to rumble against a gang of socs for the sake of his fellow greasers--until one terrible night when his friend Johnny kills a soc. The murder gets under Ponyboy's skin, causing his bifurcated world to crumble and teaching him that pain feels the same whether a soc or a greaser. This classic, written by S. E. Hinton when she was 16 years old, is as profound today as it was when it was first published in 1967.
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