What Is The Theme Of Social Class In The Outsiders

Caden Rozic
English III, Period 2
February 24, 2023
Ms. Rankin

Two Sides of to Every Story
An Analysis on Social Class in The Outsiders

It may not be as extreme as a king and queen monarchy, but the concept of Social Class still heavily impacts The Outsiders. A novel written by S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders contains a deep storyline covering the many aspects of youth. The novel follows 14 year old Ponyboy Curtis, as he stumbles through the many troubles he faces as a teenager, including the division of two gangs, the greasers and the Soc’s. Along the way, he uncovers the division of social class, learning there is no fine line when it comes to the seemingly unforbidding separation. The division of social class changes and manipulates the way

Furthermore, when Ponyboy converses with Bob’s friend, Randy, he notices something different about this Soc. While talking with Randy, Ponyboy notes "Randy was supposed to be too cool to feel anything, and yet there was pain in his eyes." (116) This is yet another instance of society as a whole defining a group generally, resulting in these expectations to rub off on the younger generations. How long the division of social class has been present in the town that The Outsiders is set in is not specified, however, these stereotypes have been so deeply ingrained into the Greasers knowledge of the Soc’s- and vice versa. This is proven by the fact that Ponyboy is continuously being surprised by individual Soc’s acting against the various expectations society has set for them in a number of instances. Finally, while Ponyboy is attempting to assign an explanation to the Soc’s behavior, he generalizes the Soc’s as a whole. “The Socs had so much spare time and money that they jumped on us and each other for kicks, had beer and blasts and river-bottom parties because they didn’t know what else to do.” (43) While there is obviously a certain extent of truth

This happens despite the fact that as the plot moves along, the characteristics and lives of each the Greasers and the Socs continue to line up- each one being more similar as S.E. Hinton takes deep paths to the end of the novel. As Cherry and Ponyboy part ways after the first time they meet, Cherry warns Ponyboy about where they stand with each other. "Ponyboy… I mean… if I see you in the hall at school or something and so hi, well it's not personal or anything, but…[…] We couldn't let our parents see us with you all. You're a nice boy and everything…" (45) This gut-wrenching quote passes by Ponyboy, as he knows where his place is and where Cherry’s is as well. However, this quote especially highlights the fact that even adults are guilty of the stereotyping and categorizing that divides the Soc’s and the Greaser’s. A simple thing like waving, or even making eye contact in the hallway, would be considered unacceptable by the norms society set with this specific and harsh circumstance. Next, right before the Socs and the Greasers fight in the rumble, Ponyboy is contemplating whether or not it was a smart idea to take place in such activities. He says “That's why people don't ever think to blame the Socs and are always ready to jump on us. We look hoody and they look decent. It could be just the other way around - half of the hoods I know are pretty decent guys