Violence In S. E. Hinton's The Outsiders

Violence, a common theme of our life, influences us potentially. It shows in many aspects of our life, and has different forms, like the arguments between parents or fights between friends. In S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, violence is an important theme as it impacts Ponyboy, causes the division and conflict between Socs and greasers, and it ultimately makes Ponyboy learnt to stay gold. Violence gradually influences Ponyboy. He is always suffers from the threats of Socs. Once, Socs jumped Ponyboy after he came back from cinema. “Ponyboy: They had me down in a second. They had my arms and legs pinned down and one of them was sitting on my chest with his knees on my elbows, and if you don’t think that hurts, you’re crazy. ” Five Socs encountered Ponyboy after he finished watching the movie and came back home. They jumped on him as he wondered on the street without company. They even took a blade to threat Ponyboy when he resisted. The appearance of other greasers drove Socs away and saved Ponyboy. These Socs jumped on Ponyboy

He used to be bullied by Socs and his life was full of violence. He saw Bob’s death because of violence and his own experience of violence. After all of these, his mind changed. He started to use violence to protect himself and to revenge. “ Ponyboy thought: Oh, no, I thought in mortal fear, I’ve got to be in it. Right then the most important thing in my life was helping us whip Socs. Don’t let him makes me stay home now. I’ve got to be in it.” After Ponyboy returned from the hospital. Ponyboy wanted to join the fight against Socs for the first time on his own initiative. Obviously, he made a decision to use violence against violence. The fight would obviously be fierce but he did not hesitate. This was a sign, which means he was got used to the violence gradually. Therefore, the violence turned Ponyboy to use violence because he was treated by