Outsiders essay mjh english

In S.E. Hinton's novel, The Outsiders, there are two groups of gangs mentioned in the novel. One gang is the Greasers, and the others is the Socs. The Greasers and Socs are always fighting whenever they come across each other. But, throughout the book, Ponyboy comes to realize Greasers and Socs aren't that different. What would happen if the Greasers and Socs got to know each other better? To find out, let's list the similarities and differences between the Greasers and Socs.

In the beginning of the novel, Ponyboy focuses on how different the Greasers and Socs are. For example, the biggest difference is the social status both groups are in. The Greasers tend to be poor and they don't wear expensive clothing. They are associated with engaging in more criminal activities and drive cars they are able to fix up. On the other hand, Socs have everything money can buy. They live in the nicer part of town, they have fancy clothes and cars, they do commit crimes, but get away with it because of the influence that comes with their money. They drink a lot, but mostly because they are bored and have every thing they could possibly want. However, the Greasers and Socs do share some similarities.

Despite their differences, there is a lot of similarities between the two groups. Both Socs and Greasers always get in trouble and they like to fight a lot. Although it is easy to resort to stereotyping, both group are made u of unique individuals. Cherry describes the situation when she says, \"All Socs aren't like that. That's like saying all you Greasers are like Dally Winston.\" (34). Cherry also notes that individuals in both groups face tough problems. She sums it up with the observation, \"I'll bet you think the Socs have it made, the rich kids, I'll tell you something and this may come as a surprise. We have troubles you've never even heard of, things are tough all over.\" (34-35). But if Socs and Greasers are so alike, then why do they hate each other?

The Greasers and the Socs hate each other, because they do not understand each other. The Greasers hate the Socs because they believe that the Socs have it easy with all of their money and privileges. The Socs hate the Greasers, because they are easy targets to hate. The Greasers are poor and powerless, so the Socs feel that they are entitled to beat upon the low life of the Greasers. Each group cannot seem to relate to the other group, so there is fear and hatred. People tend to dislike what they don't understand. Socs and Greasers don't understand each other, so hate follows shortly after.

Greasers and Socs could probably get along well. They just need to get to know each other better. Greasers and Socs do have their differences, but they are also alike in many ways. Ponyboy and Cherry are the only ones who understand this. Even though they are in different social classes, it doesn't mean they have to fight. Fighting is never the answer. But since they don't understand each other, they fight anyways. If the Greasers and Socs got along very well, The Outsiders would have turned out very different.