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Struggles In The Outsiders

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Breathtaking. Brilliant. Powerful. These are all words used to describe the classic novel by S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders. But, after reading this amazing book, many readers and fans wonder who had it worse. Obviously, both the Greasers and Socs had their struggles, but one group clearly had more than the other. It’s plain for many people to see that the Greasers had a much more difficult upbringing throughout the timeline of the novel with all the violence, fear, and constant judgment. But, for some reason, people believe the Socs had it harder. Maybe it would help to explain the weight of everything the Greasers had to deal with. To begin with, the greasers are constantly threatened with and dealt violence from Socs. For example, on page …show more content…

Greasers are forced to live in constant fear due to the way they're treated. For instance, on page 36 paragraph 1, the second Johnny sees a blue Mustang anywhere near him, he instantly gets scared. This is because Johnny has been essentially traumatized by being jumped and abused by Socs. Likewise, on page 4 paragraph 4, Ponyboy writes, “I was sweating something fierce, although I was cold. I could feel my palms getting clammy and the perspiration running down my back. I get like that when I’m real scared." When Ponyboy sees a blue Corvair and assumes that it is full of Socs about to hurt him because that’s what he is used to happening. Because Greasers have to live in constant fear of what could happen to them anytime they are alone because of the horrible treatment from …show more content…

Thus, on page 90 paragraph 4, the reader learns that Ponyboy had to get a haircut and entirely change his appearance. This is insanely unfair because Greasers can’t receive praise while still looking like themselves because none believes a “Lowlife” Greaser could be a hero. Additionally, on page 40 paragraph 6, Cherry tells Pony “ if I see you in the hallway at school or someplace and I don’t say hi, well, it’s not personal or anything, but…” For Cherry is embarrassed and ashamed to be seen with someone because he looks like a greaser. Due to Greasers being treated horribly and expected to be bad people just because of how they

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