by: Patrick Tran
The differences between the classes of society
The differences between the social classes is evident throughout Ponyboy's retelling of his experiences. On one hand you have the ''greasers'', poor, yet fun-loving and trouble-making boys who live in the East Side of Tulsa, Oklahoma; on the other hand, you have the ''Socs'', wealthy, cool young men who seek action from their boring, cold lives. Both groups are somewhat similar, yet very different at the same time, constantly causing conflict and action between the two groups; however, despite their constant conflicts, neither group fully realize the similarities between each other and the pointlessness of their actions, and despite the events that may ensue between both groups, the greasers will always remain financially-struggling, lower-class boys, while the Socs will remain financially wealthy, upper-class youths; there are no winners. Several characters, such as Ponyboy and Randy, understand the pointlessness of their conflicts, which is why they aren't excited to participate in rumbles like the other greasers and Socs. In spite of all the violence and conflict that occurs between the two groups, it is worth noting that their is still hope of peace and understanding, as demonstrated by Ponyboy and Cherrys' friendly conversations, even though they are part of different social classes. Moreover, these problems between the social classes are still present today in reality. Personally, I've experienced it in my own highschool, but in a different way from the book: there are the athletes and the scholars, who sometimes have occasional conflicts against each other, yet at the end of the day, both groups still have different problems and are similar in several ways.
In conclusion, the differences between the social classes is a very important and on-going theme throughout the book, and causes problems in both the book and reality; I believe that these problems can, despite how hard it may seem, be fixed through shared experiences and understanding for one another.
The feeling of isolation
During the beginning of the novel, Ponyboy expresses his feeling of isolation, believing that his intelligence and enjoyment of books, movies, and sunsets make him different from his closest friends and his brothers. Additionally, Ponyboy feels isolated from his peers at school, believing that his status as a greaser causes others to unjustly assume that he is a trouble-maker and always acts and lives a certain way. Because of his differences between his friends and society, Ponyboy feels alone and seperated from those around him. Luckily, as the story progresses, Ponyboy realizes the similarities between him and his friends, and unlike most of the characters in the book, realizes the similarities between the Socs and the greasers. Near the conclusion of the book, Ponyboy finally understands the importance of reaching out to other teenagers who feel isolated from their society, and the importance of informing their struggles to the world, leading him to write his English theme about his personal experiences and the week that took the lives of Dally and Johnny, two of his close friends who once felt isolated by society as well.
Personally, I can truly relate to Ponyboy. I once felt isolated from my friends and family, mostly due to my physical appearance and my different enjoyments, and I strongly believe that everyone in the world has had their fair share of feeling isolated, in one way or another.
In conclusion, the feeling of isolation is a significant theme in the novel, and I believe that everyone can relate to Ponyboy's feelings of isolation towards his friends and family in their own way.
The differences between the classes of society
The differences between the social classes is evident throughout Ponyboy's retelling of his experiences. On one hand you have the ''greasers'', poor, yet fun-loving and trouble-making boys who live in the East Side of Tulsa, Oklahoma; on the other hand, you have the ''Socs'', wealthy, cool young men who seek action from their boring, cold lives. Both groups are somewhat similar, yet very different at the same time, constantly causing conflict and action between the two groups; however, despite their constant conflicts, neither group fully realize the similarities between each other and the pointlessness of their actions, and despite the events that may ensue between both groups, the greasers will always remain financially-struggling, lower-class boys, while the Socs will remain financially wealthy, upper-class youths; there are no winners. Several characters, such as Ponyboy and Randy, understand the pointlessness of their conflicts, which is why they aren't excited to participate in rumbles like the other greasers and Socs. In spite of all the violence and conflict that occurs between the two groups, it is worth noting that their is still hope of peace and understanding, as demonstrated by Ponyboy and Cherrys' friendly conversations, even though they are part of different social classes. Moreover, these problems between the social classes are still present today in reality. Personally, I've experienced it in my own highschool, but in a different way from the book: there are the athletes and the scholars, who sometimes have occasional conflicts against each other, yet at the end of the day, both groups still have different problems and are similar in several ways.
In conclusion, the differences between the social classes is a very important and on-going theme throughout the book, and causes problems in both the book and reality; I believe that these problems can, despite how hard it may seem, be fixed through shared experiences and understanding for one another.
The feeling of isolation
During the beginning of the novel, Ponyboy expresses his feeling of isolation, believing that his intelligence and enjoyment of books, movies, and sunsets make him different from his closest friends and his brothers. Additionally, Ponyboy feels isolated from his peers at school, believing that his status as a greaser causes others to unjustly assume that he is a trouble-maker and always acts and lives a certain way. Because of his differences between his friends and society, Ponyboy feels alone and seperated from those around him. Luckily, as the story progresses, Ponyboy realizes the similarities between him and his friends, and unlike most of the characters in the book, realizes the similarities between the Socs and the greasers. Near the conclusion of the book, Ponyboy finally understands the importance of reaching out to other teenagers who feel isolated from their society, and the importance of informing their struggles to the world, leading him to write his English theme about his personal experiences and the week that took the lives of Dally and Johnny, two of his close friends who once felt isolated by society as well.
Personally, I can truly relate to Ponyboy. I once felt isolated from my friends and family, mostly due to my physical appearance and my different enjoyments, and I strongly believe that everyone in the world has had their fair share of feeling isolated, in one way or another.
In conclusion, the feeling of isolation is a significant theme in the novel, and I believe that everyone can relate to Ponyboy's feelings of isolation towards his friends and family in their own way.