If you have ever faced judgment due to your looks or attire, consider adding "The Outsiders" by S.E Hinton to your school's curriculum.
The inclusion of S. E. Hinton's The Outsiders in school curriculums is warranted because it realistically addresses modern-day issues, providing children with valuable learning opportunities. Ponyboy and his greaser friends frequently face judgment and trouble but despite being different from them, he becomes embroiled in gang conflicts. Throughout the novel, Ponyboy displays loyalty, bravery, and sensitivity on multiple occasions.
The novel "The Outsiders," authored by S.E. Hinton in 1967, portrays the rivalry between the greaser and soc social groups. The socs were wealthy socials residing in affluent areas, whereas the greasers were lower-class youths.
The Greasers are called so because of their lengthy hair and excessive usage of grease in it. They are o
...ften caught by the police for various crimes such as armed robbery, car hijacking, petty theft, shoplifting, and even murder. They frequently get into trouble due to something that the Socs did, like Ponyboy's incident at school. The Socs are wealthy people who drive cars like Mustangs and Corvettes with fancy interior features. The book deals with topics related to violence, prejudice, and social class conflicts.
The Outsiders, set in the early 1960s, depicts the themes of rivalry and unity between two different groups who resort to aggression as a means of survival. The novel presents a realistic portrayal where daily struggles for survival extend beyond basic wilderness skills such as fire-making, fishing, or finding fresh water from springs.
Despite the protection of freedom of speech and expression provided by the first amendment of the US Constitution, books still face censorship, challenges,
and bans. This violates our constitutional rights as it hinders our capacity to express ourselves and assemble peacefully. Additionally, it goes against the fundamental principles that underlie our constitutional rights.
Although some individuals have criticized The Outsiders for containing profanity and depicting teenage violence, leading to concerns among parents about its appropriateness for children, others have accused the book of contradicting Christian values without actually reading it. It is crucial to consider the repercussions of restricting access to knowledge and freedom of expression, as evidenced by past regimes like Germany in the 1930s and 1940s, as well as the Soviet Union and People's Republic of China.
Although the United States upholds significant liberties in regards to speech and press, censorship remains prevalent. Within American school districts, book circulation is often prohibited by school boards; television and radio stations limit programming; and newspapers frequently alter stories. Banning books due to sexually suggestive or violent content, rating movies for explicit material protection of children, and filtering internet resources to prevent students from accessing pornographic websites are all examples of such censorship.
Ponyboy's loyalty is evident in his actions towards the members of his gang. He considers Johnny, Dallas, Two-bit and Steve to be like family, and even though he doesn't enjoy fighting, he refused to stay home during the rumble between the Socs and the Greasers. On page 133, the book states, "Right then the most important thing in my life was helping whip the Socs." This demonstrates that Ponyboy will defend his gang, even if it goes against his own wishes. Additionally, when Dally robbed a grocery store, Ponyboy and the gang tried to help him. On page 153,
the book states, "'It was Dally."
Calling from a telephone booth, he reported to have committed a robbery at a grocery store and being pursued by the police. He exclaimed, "...we all left in at a dead run..." Despite his serious offense, Ponyboy remained faithful to Dally, and this exemplifies his loyalty to his gangmates.
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