The Outsiders - Essay

The Outsiders is an amazing inspirational deep and meaningful story about a boy named Ponyboy and two gangs. There are alot of relation ships throught the film that are important.

Loyalty  is used a lot throughout the novel The Outsiders when Johnny runs away after stabbing Bob through his actions. For example when Johnny killed Bob because they are drowning Ponyboy “i had to… otherwise they were gonna kill you …..” not thinking of the consequences but looking after his friend. And when they both went to the church Ponyboy stayed with Johnny even though he didn't need to because he didn't kill bob. This shows us that Ponyboy and Johnny are the best of friends as they both give up something, Ponyboy - his hair, and Johnny - killed someone. And that they have each others backs. S.E Hinton did this to show us that even though people in gangs don't look like nice people have a good side to them and still care for people just as much. This reminds me of when in the book The Hunger Games that they will stick together no matter what and will give up something to save their lives.

Not only is loyalty in Johnny and Ponyboys actions, but is important in relationships within the outsiders but with Johnny's identity between him and Bob. At the start of the novel it says that Johnny was jumped by their rival gang the socs. He was on his way home, walking through the park, when he saw a shiny new blue mustang. In side of that mustang were a few socs that beat Johnny up. Johnny mainly remembered a boy called with rings on his right hand that beat him up scaring his face. Now Johnny get a bit skippy whenever he sees that mustang. This now makes me understand that whenever he is scared that he will protect himself for that person , and so will his friends. Making him hate Bob from his past actions And that this is what has shaped him as he is now. The purpose of this is to show that people's past and actions can change their life and what they think of people/things, if it was themselves or other people who had done it. This aspect can be compared to On The Sidewalk Bleeding, because at the end of the short story he says that he is Andy and not a gang member and starts hating himself for it making him scared of himself; making him who he is now.

Ponyboy and Cheire had a caring relationship throughout the novel talking about sunsets. For example when Ponyboy and Cherie go to get popcorn and a coke they talk to each other. Later on when they start to leave the drive in movie Cherie starts to talk about his brothers and comparing him the them “what about darry…. Is he as charming as you……” Telling us that she cares about Ponyboy as does Ponyboy about here throughout the film when the meet. This makes the audience think that there could be romance in this movie as well as hope as something to look forward to at the end of the film and making us feel anxious and slightly romantic as they talk to one another while talking under the sunset. This was done to show that people in gangs have a good heart and still care about people. And just because of their title doesn't mean that they don't feel anything or have emotions.This reminds me of when in the short story On The Sidewalk Bleeding at the end where Andy's girlfriend Laura finds andy dead showing that she cared with her emotions and actions by getting the police officer. By that she showed and that she cared by way the police officer called him a royal and not by his name.

The relationships between the Curtis brothers are very important to this story by sharing their responsibilities between them and understanding how they feel about that. We see this when at the end of the film when Ponyboy and Darry are in an argument about school, Sodapop runs out the door feeling stressed by their actions and responsibilities/understanding between them. Because darry is being to hard on Ponyboy, and Ponyboy not understanding the responsibilities that darry has and what he has given up for him to be at the school. This makes me understand that darry has the biggest responsibility as he has to look after his brothers as well as going to work to have enough money to buy food for them etc, so he doesn't lose them to a boys home after losing their parents. And that Ponyboy  now knows why he is being picked on his brother; because he loves him and wants him to be successful at school unlike him and Sodapop. The author did this to show us that responsibilities in a family with no parents can be hard but they still love each other just as much. This can be compared to when in the film the wizard of oz in the start of the film they all have their responsibilities and understand and help each other. And at the end of the film they looked after her and made her a responsibility as well as toto the dog at the start of the film.

The Outsiders is an amazing Book full of adventure, messy relationships, loyalty and love and support. This book is good to read for all ages to enjoy.