The book The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is a book about a young boy's struggle. He encounters many problems throughout his childhood. Ponyboy, the young boy is part of a gang called the greasers. This gang is his family and means a lot to him. Since his parents died, he can only rely on others and himself to live. Death at a young age is already a problem. The problems he faces throughout the book is constantly changing him and makes him realize what's right for him. There are many things that Ponyboy wants to happen but he must overcome obstacles in order for them to happen. Many things shape this book and make it a fantastic coming of age experience for young readers like me.
Ponyboy is encountering several problems throughout the first half of the book. One major external problem he is having is the feud between their gang and the Socs, a rich western gang that likes to bully greasers because they aren't as rich. Ponyboy almost got killed by the Socs one time walking alone on the streets. The Socs is a life threatening problem for Ponyboy and his gang. Another external problem is that Ponyboy got slapped by his brother Darry. Although Ponyboy doesn't really like Darry and thinks he doesn't care for him, but the slap that Ponyboy got was because Darry was worried about where he was. The most important external conflict is that Ponyboy was involved in killing a Soc called Bob. Johnny, a young greaser killed him to save Ponyboy, now they are both involved and could make the Socs take revenge. They are not only facing gang problems but they are facing outside problems too which makes their life so much more complicated.
Throughout this book, I think the main internal problem that Ponyboy is facing is trying to find who he is as a person and what his identity is. The reason he can't find it is because he relies too much on his brothers and his gang. I think that Ponyboy is unsecured because he is not sure what he wants his life to be like . He doesn't want to be like his gang because they are too violent and always causing trouble and doing illegal things. He also doesn't want to show off his true emotions because he is afraid that he won't be liked by his gang anymore. I think he wants to be different from the gang and wants to become someone nice. One example of Ponyboy starting to change was when he was at the movies. Two-bit, a gang member was talking trash to a girl that was a Soc. Ponyboy didn't join in and talk trash, he kindly spoke and even apologized. Ponyboy is slowly finding his identity through his experiences in life. His childhood is like a journey to find out what he wants to be when he is older.
Ponyboy's gang throughout the book influences him a lot which causes him to be unsecured. His gang is constantly around him and makes a lot of decisions that also influences Ponyboy. One example is smoking, most of Ponyboy's brothers smoke which causes Ponyboy to smoke also. Smoking at a young age is certainly not healthy and could cause harm to his body. His brothers causes bad influences for him. I'm surprised that Ponyboy isn't exactly like his gang and still has a good side. The greasers are also quite violent as most of them carry switchblades to protect themselves. Some of them also jump other kids for their money and their belongings. They influence Ponyboy in so many bad ways that he can't really have a chance to show his true identity. I think that Ponyboy wants to be a brave, nice, and normal person in life. Because he is a greaser, many people think of him differently but I think that he will try to achieve his goal.
This book's setting makes it incredibly realistic.The story takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Although the book doesn't talk about the setting, the author states the setting in the back of the book. It also takes place in the mid 1960's which makes it realistic. The setting creates many realistic aspects such as gangs. People were poor in the old times and the rich started taking advantage of the poor which caused gangs. The setting also affects their personality and how they act and how they speak. The setting shows differences in the poor gang and the rich gang and how they live and act.
In conclusion, this book is a fantastic coming of age book for young readers and really gives us an image in our head. This book has many realistic problems for a young teen and shows how a character is struggling throughout their childhood. The author creates many things that causes us to think deeply and how the characters are feeling. This is a fantastic book about a young boy trying to find his identity regardless what others think about him.
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