The Outsiders
by S. E. Hinton
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Book Reviews of The Outsiders
Book Review: Great Book and Great Insights
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Outsiders" was written in 1967 by S. E. Hinton andis a story about the life of greasers, people who live in the projects and generally have long greasy hair, in the 1950's and 60's. It is written as a first person narrative by a 14 year old greaser who lives with his two older brothers. Ms. Hinton wrote the book to illustrate prejudice in society and the fact that it is an unfounded bigotry. The book has some interesting and truthful underlying themes woven into it. It shows the different views of people from the stereotyped worlds of the greasers and the Socs, longtime enemies. The Socs are generally characterized as the rich kids who have everything, and the greasers are the indigent thugs with long greasy hair. We see how society favors the one and shuns the other due to the social standing which they have obtained from their money and looks. The Socs are loved by the people because of their appearance and seeming innocence, and if they do something wrong the incident is glossed over or blamed on somebody else. We see this when it is said "...Socs... get editorials in the paper for being a public disgrace one day and an asset to society the next." (pp. 3). The greasers, however, hate the Socs because the Socs attack them just because of their hair or even just for fun. The greasers are looked down upon because they don't have nice houses or because their hair is longer, and society immediately looks to put the blame on them when something goes wrong, not caring whether or not the criticism is earned. Also shown is the fact that not everyone is like the few that the stereotype is based upon. Johnny is a kind, thoughtful teenager who is mugged by Socs just because he isn't clean-cut like them. There is also Ponyboy, who is a handsome boy who does very well in school, would probably fit in perfectly with the Socs, but is poor, and is therefore looked upon as scum. Cherry is a Soc who Pony meets at the movies. In his discussions with her he sees that the Socs can be caring and nice, and aren't all mean rich boys who beat up greasers for fun. Cherry even says "...if I see you in the hall at school or someplace and don't say hi, well, it's not personal or anything, but..." (pp. 45). Pony and Cherry love many of the same things, but can't be friends in public because Cherry would be scorned and ridiculed for hanging out with him, and Pony would be beat up for even trying to be friends with someone of such high "status." "The Outsiders" brings to the front the problems of social prejudice and categorization that are evident in society, even today. The book shows readers not to discriminate against other people, and the consequences of such an action. Not only is it stupid to ignore and shun people because of social status or appearance, but also many great opportunities for friendships and relationships are passed up. S. E. Hinton did a magnificent job in portraying these truths, and in the process wrote a wonderful story.Book Review: Excellently Portrayed Characters and Plot!
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Outsiders"
Reviewed By: Madelyn
age: 13
I saw parts of the movie last year at school. It was, however, the last day where they show movies but everyone's too busy talking with friends, and loudly planning out there summer to even bother with paying attention. I didn't think much of it until a month ago when I was at my aunt's, and noticed a copy of it on her bookshelf. I asked to borrow the book, not thinking of anything but that it only that it would be some nice summer reading material.
But, the moment I read the first page of that book, I couldn't put it down! I'll bet you that if my house had caught fire, I would have waited to the end of the chapter before I bothered to do anything about it. The Characters, setting, plot, and even the 60's lingo was compelling.
I read that whole darn thing in one night and the moment I got to the end, I simply thought, "Well heck, might as well read it again". And so I read it again and again and again. By the end of the week I could tell you the entire story without evening cracking the book open. (I' must've read it 20 or 25 times!)
The story tells of rough yet dreamy Ponyboy. He's surrounded by a world of the tough (or "T-U-F-F) boys from the east-side. The Greasers. While in a constant battle with the rich and preppy west-side Soc's (Short for Socials). With his parents gone, Ponyboy only has his two brothers Darry and Soda, and a couple of close friends, who together create a gang that's tighter than friendship but not related by blood.
Ponyboy, Johnny, Dallas a.k.a Dally, Two-Bit (real name is Keith Matthews but nobody bothers to remember), Darrel a.k.a Darry, Sodapop, and Steve are inseparable. But on one dark night. Fast-occurring events throw Ponyboy and Johnny in a murder rap and hiding in a small-town church. They there until more occurring events (It'll ruin the surprise if I say more!! :D) bring them back home.
After a victorious rumble, the night turns cold. At the end, Ponyboy turns what began as innocent English paper, into a work of art when he explains the week that took away the lives of some, who didn't make it to the end of the book. The Childhood, of those who immediately grew up. And the Life that the gang was so used to. There will still be soc's, and there will still be greasers, but there was definitely something that had changed.
If you didn't love the book then you have no right to be near books at all. "The Outsiders" is a timeless classic written by a wonderful author who has inspired me to become a writer myself. Thank You Ms. Hinton, for this heart filled book, thank you Mr. Coppola for turning it into an awesome film. In the end, you've SO got to read this!!!!!!!
Book Review: Review for The Outsiders
Summary: 4 Stars
The Outsiders is a book about coming of age and self discovery. It is told from the point of Ponyboy Curtis, a fourteen year old member of a gang of greasers. His brothers', Sodapop Curtis is sixteen and Darry Curtis is twenty and the head of the family since the boys parents died.
Johnny Cade and Dallas (Dally) Winston are members of the gang. Johnny is kind of the baby, even though he isn't the youngest. His parents abuse him, so the gang is always trying to care for him. Dally is a tough, with a New York City kind of attitude.
There are several other characters, including Cherry Valance: Bob's girlfriend. Steve Randle: Soda's best friend, and a member of the Curtis brothers gang. Two-Bit Mathews: A member of the Curtis brothers gang. Tim Shepard an associate of Ponyboy's gang, but his gang is much more violent. He and Pony boy are both very poor and hate the Socs, so that links them. The last few characters are Bob, who is a friend of Pony's and Randy who is a friend of Bob's.
The story tells about the gang members and how they bond and touch each others lives. Everything is pretty normal with fights and rumbles, but when Bob tries to drown Ponyboy because he talks to Cherry, Johnny kills him by stabbing him to death. Johnny runs from the police, but while he is hiding out from them, he and Ponyboy see a church on fire. They hear someone saying that some of the children are missing, Johnny and Ponyboy both run into the burning building to save the children. They both help save the children, but Johnny is badly burnt from a beam falling on him, and he eventually dies. Before he dies, he tells Ponyboy that it was worth it to save the children.
Because of the deaths, the Socs and the Greasers want to have a Rumble, a city street fight. Randy tells Pony that he just wants the fighting to end, and Pony agrees. Randy says he will not fight in the rumble. The other members of both gangs agree to fight, and in the end they do. During the fight the police show up and many of the members run away. Dally Winston pulls a gun that isn't loaded and the police shoot him and kill him.
Ponyboy is sent to the hospital to recover, and later is called to trial about the killing of Bob. He was going to tell the judge that he killed Bob, but the judge only asked him a few questions, and then sent him home. Later he finds out that the Doctors told the Judge that Ponyboy wasn't up to a lot of questions.
Ponyboy is sad, and lonely for a long time. Eventually, he learns that he doesn't have to be a greaser forever. He can do anything he wants with his life. He is not the only teenage boy to feel like he does. After that he is better, and adjusts to what has happened.
Book Review: Insite to The Outside
Summary: 5 Stars
The Outsiders is based on the life of a young boy growing up on the wrong side of town. He has to learn to cope with harsh surroundings, gang violence and the pressures to succeed. Along the way he is faced with many life-altering decisions. The main character in this book is a young boy named Ponyboy; he is the one who serves as the narrator in the story. Ponyboy is the youngest of three brothers. The oldest of the brothers, Darry, is a gallant protector and father figure to Ponyboy and Ponyboys other brother because a tragic accident had occurred in the family. Sodapop, Ponyboys second oldest brother is a more carefree and fun loving kind of guy. He and Ponyboy are very close. The other characters in this novel are: Two-bit who brings the group their definition of entertainment, Dally a fierce notorious lawbreaker, and Steve, Sodapops best friend, whos always ready for a good fight and loves the hood life. There is also Jonny, who acts as everyones kid brother. He is always sweet and nice due to his living situation at home, and past traumatic events.
These boys make up a very colorful circle of friends. They are always there for each other know matter what. Together they have the time of their lives. They are The Greasers.
Some of the other characters, from the Upper-East Side consist of Cherry, a spunky little red head that touches the hearts of both sides. She also happens to be a cheerleader at Ponyboys school. Bob, Cherrys boyfriend gets in more trouble than you can imagine. Randy is Bobs best friend and also his side kick. Together the boys wreak havoc among the greasers just because they can. Everyday these characters run into numerous amounts of problems. They deal with things such as fights, family, friends, girls, and even murder. Each day is filled with enough adventures to last a lifetime.
My favorite character is Ponyboy. He is my favorite because he learns so much and you feel as if you are learning and growing with him. Many of the challenges and outcomes he deals with are so gut wrenching and heart touching that I did not want to put the book down. I felt as if I could relate to each and every character on a different level. I absolutely loved the book. I could not put it down. The structure and composition, combined with the energy level of the book were elaborately well done and very mind gripping. I would not change a thing about the book at all; otherwise I feel it would not be worth reading.
I completely recommend this book to anyone who loves to read. I feel, that all types of people can relate, in someway or another, to this book. So go out and get your copy today, otherwise you will be missing out.
Book Review: A gang that fights to be together
Summary: 5 Stars
A gang that Fights to be Together
"Natures first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then the leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief.
So dawn goes dawn today.
Nothing gold can stay."
By: Robert Frost
The Outsiders, written by S.E Hinton is about two groups of gangs that don't get along because of their different lifestyles and interests. The socs are a group of vicious kids and the greasers are a group of miserable kids that don't have money but they have heart. The socs are always bothering the greasers so now the greasers have to carry a switchblade to be safe.
One of the members in the greaser gang are Ponyboy who is 14 years. He is smart and was the only member that went to school out of his gang and brothers. He is Johnny's best friend and he has two brothers who are Darry and Soda and are in the gang. Darry is 20. He works at construction to take care of his brothers. Soda is 16. . He works at a gas station. These two gangs hate each other and are always fighting. It all starts when a greaser comes out of the movies and the socs get him and start to beat him up.
S.E Hinton was only 15 when she started writing The Outsiders. She was inspired to write The Outsiders because one of her friends got jumped by a group of "nice" kids. She said that a lot of Ponyboy's thoughts were her thoughts. S.E Hinton was a tomboy. She played football and her closer friends were guys. She had friends from both sides. She didn't know that the guys she hung out with were greasers until one day they were walking down the street and the socs screamed at them, "Greasers."
The Outsiders is a great book. It explains the lives that the teenagers had and the two different gangs that don't get along with each other. It is also a great book because the teenagers that would read this book they would know how life was and would know how life is now and the gangs that they are on. I think that they would learn a lot of good things if they read this book. Even though this book is old you would be able to relate the teenagers with the gangs. After reading The Outsiders, I felt sad because is a life cycle that teenagers pass through and suffer just for being in a gang. It also touched my heart because three brothers fight against life to be together. I started with the poem because it says it all. The thing that the poem is trying to say is that at first life is great and it holds everything. Everything is a new but it only can last for an hour. Then everything goes away and nothing could stay forever.