“Stay gold,” is reference to the Robert Frost poem that Ponyboy recites to Johnny during their stay in an abandoned church in Windrixville, and in that specific poem, the line, “Nothing can stay gold,” plays an essential role in constructing the story. The Outsiders is told from the perspective of Ponyboy, a fourteen year old boy, who’s a member of a gang called the Greasers. Ponyboy lives in the east side neighborhood, which is patrolled by the Socials, rich kids from the west side of town. The Socs make it their priority to target the Greasers, because of their different sets of values and constant rivalry. Ponyboy’s in a nonstop conflict between himself and the way society labels him. The book, which was published in 1967, highlights the aspects of friendship, strength, and class segregation. The protagonist, Ponyboy, goes through a stage, at which he is exposed to gang violence, child abuse, shootings, and murder. He lives with his two older brothers, Sodapop and Darry, and on occasion, he hangs out with the other Greasers (Johnny, Dally, Two-Bit, etc.) Along with the gang, Ponyboy must compete with the consequences of their violent lifestyle. S.E Hinton wrote The Outsiders, a realistic fiction story, although the story is written by a teenager who touches every person who reads it, because the emotions and struggles the character face are universal.
The novel, The Outsiders explores the impact of living in a place where fear is the predominant emotion and personality is based solely on appearance, due to the fact that it was during this time when society had placed a label on every individual. Most of the action and conflict is framed by the interactions within and between different groups. The book includes underage violence and drinking, delinquent behavior, and a suicide. But the indelible characters and irresistible story have consistently hooked middle school students, teens and apathetic readers. This book appeals to teens because that’s approximately when teenagers break into social cliques and become hostile to one another. The Outsiders has a clear and positive message. Although it does contain mature content, the author clearly gets her message through to her readers, which is essential to be able to enjoy the story. S.E. Hinton explores and demonstrates a wide variety of theme over the course of the novel, such as the separation between the rich and poor, honor among the lawless, and the loss of innocence.
In Ponyboy’s first encounter with Cherry Valence, a Soc, she tells him that, “Things are rough all over.” When Ponyboy comes across Cherry, he thinks of her as just another Soc, wondering how a cheerleader who drives a Corvette could have problems. By the end of the story, Ponyboy acknowledges that while the worlds the Socs and Greasers live in are very different, there are still things in each that are the same. Perhaps, the most essential theme that is explored throughout the story is the loss of innocence. While Johnny lies in the hospital, close to death, he tells Ponyboy to “Stay gold,” in which he urges Ponyboy to remain young and innocent. Johnny wants Ponyboy to stay the same, an intelligent young man. He wants him to continue being unique amongst the Greasers and continue to find happiness in movies, sunsets, and books. “Things were rough all over, but it was better that way. That way you could tell the other guy was human.” This is an example of how people judge one another based on the titles society has labeled them. Ponyboy matures and grows in his ability to view the world in a full spectrum, to stop dividing the world into black and white, good and bad, insiders and outsiders, and Greasers and Socs. Pony's fascination with sunsets at the beginning of the book and, later, his appreciation of the countryside around the church symbolizes the development of Ponyboy’s character. The Outsiders is a theme itself. Looking at life as an outsider and feeling as though one is being treated as outsider is matter of perspective. S.E. Hinton does a good job at describing unity and connection between two opposing groups, and the way teenagers interact with one another today.
The Outsiders is an American classic that teenagers have been devouring since the 1960s. I thought the book was very well done due to the fact that it sent very strong messages about teen violence, child abuse, and friendship. It is an emotional book about the struggles of a fourteen year old, so I recommend a box of tissues. The conflicts are very universal . The story is made in order for teenagers to relate their personal problems to reality. This is a novel that analyzes the consequences of treating people according to stereotypical reasons. I believe that S.E. Hinton’s message is to encourage people to look beyond appearance, and S.E. Hinton does an excellent job in portraying this story from a realistic point of view. The Outsiders shows that belonging to a gang will only lead to trouble, but if I were to see it from Ponyboy’s perspective, a gang is there to protect you and be there for one another emotionally. As proof, “But he and the rest of the gang knew Johnny cared and did everything they could to make it up to him. I don’t know what it was about Johnny-maybe that lost-puppy look and those big scared eyes were what made everyone his big brother. But they couldn’t, no matter how hard they tried, take the place of his parents.” In addition, “You take up for your buddies, no matter what they do. When you’re a gang, you stick up for the members. If you don’t stick up for them, stick together, make like brothers, it isn’t a gang any more. It’s a pack. A snarling, distrustful. Nickering pack likes the Socs in their social clubs or the street gangs in New York or the wolves in the timer.” My point here is that, most gangs are assembled for good reasons.
I also want to discuss the various attitudes towards physical violence found in The Outsiders. The Socs seem to consider fighting a sort of hobby to pass the time and violence is used to make up for all their many insecurities. The Greasers use violence as a brotherhood get-together. Almost like a bonding ritual. Fighting defines the Greaser but in a more heroic way and for some, like Dally, violence is their only outlet for emotional pain and redemption. The Outsiders introduces society classification, in which people are based solely on economic wealth and how individuals present themselves. This is a perfect display of how our society behaves today and this book exceptionally exemplifies that not everyone is how they set themselves to be. The Outsiders manages to end the story on a happy note, with most of Ponyboy’s problems resolved. An interesting thing about the last line of the novel is that it’s also the first line of the novel, so it gives the story a circular feeling, as if it’s a self-contained universe. S.E. Hinton wrote this book to demonstrate a wide variety of themes that play a role in society today. It is written to portray a realistic community, in which, everyone is judged according to how society labels them.  As a matter of fact, I would recommend this book, but I would suggest reading it in seventh grade or higher, because I just found it easier to understand the mature language now that I’m at a mature stage in my life. The reason I say this, is because when I had read it sixth grade, it didn’t have a strong impact on me than when I had reread in eighth grade. That’s why I suggest reading The Outsiders when you’re at a mature level and age, and hopefully, all the content in the book will make sense to the readers.
Although it was S.E. Hinton who wrote The Outsiders, the novel is told from the perspective of a fourteen year old, in which the emotions and struggles the main character faces are comprehensive and told in a realistically fictional style to improve and clarify the anecdote. The Outsiders doesn’t technically relate to my life, but it accurately portrays how society behaves and the way individuals react to one another. Today, individuals establish their opinions on one another based on appearance and the way one presents themselves, without getting to know that person first.  For example, I tend to judge quickly based on looks and it’s a really bad habit, because the people I criticize end up becoming my friend. In addition to my thoughts upon the novel, The Outsiders would have ended differently if Johnny and Ponyboy had died in the church trying to save the children in the building. The gang members would most split up due to the guilt that would eat them alive, and the story would end in sadness and remorse. In other words, the story would be a complete failure and no one would dare to purchase it at a local bookstore. Therefore, the author would go into complete bankruptcy and the world would go into chaos so thank you to the author for not killing Johnny and Ponyboy.
The following sentences were lies, but in all honesty, if the story had lost pony, the main protagonist, the novel would have ended on a bad note. Foreshadowing occurs frequently throughout the story, to ensure the reader’s mind is put to work and that the following events put an edgy and suspenseful feeling to the story. S.E. Hinton uses a variety of literary elements, such as alliteration, similes, metaphors, and personification to further develop the novel’s plot and conflict. This helps the author’s intended audience to find enjoyment and pleasure while reading the story, but it also makes the reader anxious and restless for the upcoming events. The reason why The Outsiders is such a good book is a mystery to me. The book contains a wide set of components that build up the story’s tension and climax. In order for these components to be put to work, the author does a good job of assigning the roles of each and every literary element. In conclusion, S.E. Hinton does an excellent in job in ensuring that the intended message of the novel does not drive off track. In The Outsiders, Johnny, Darry, and Ponyboy stand up for what they think is right, emphasizing the importance of fighting for purpose in life. Through their experiences, they will stand up for what is right and achieve a better understanding and appreciation for living and thanks to S.E Hinton, the message is received loud and clear and no misunderstandings will occur, hopefully.