The Outsiders is a novel you would be instructed to read for English class. I am not saying it was a bad-read or a struggle to get through which you would think book for class would be. I say that it would be instructed because the novel is considered to be a classic and reads as a coming-of-age story.
The story starts with the introduction of the main character: a greaser. Of course, being a fan of Grease, I thought of Danny Zuko (played by John Travolta) instantly and I could not get the idea out of my head, so of course I continued reading thinking that Sandy would be introduced in the next few pages. I was wrong.
The Outsiders is not a love story in the common sense of the word. There is no swooning ladies or heartfelt realizations that two characters have in order to stay together. There is love, but it is a realistic type. Focusing more on the love for family, Hinton tells her story of a makeshift family of friends that is held together by their situation and respect for each other; each boy is only there because of the other boys. Of course, conflict works at trying to tear them apart.
The problems faced are relatable for every young person, though. Every single person has a period in their life where they are faced off against the world with only what they are wearing and the people who care about them and this is what Hinton showcases in his work.
The greasers have the world against them. They are judged by their appearance and living situations. Everything they do must be something wrong to society. Hence, when the two youngest ones of the family group get attacked, they immediately think they will be blamed leading them to run as if for their lives.
As the story continues, the idea is passed around that no one is as alone and worst-off from others as they think they are and even the idea of how easily a person can break can be seen. Watching how a the main character changes throughout the story or even how the toughest kid of the family can need someone, shows the strength of how society’s view can change a person and how sometimes having others to love you is the only way a person can win.
Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Writing: 7/10
Editor: 7/10
Total: 34/40
The Outsiders By S.E. Hinton
Kindle Edition
Penguin Group
Rosey Reviews 