Essays on The Outsiders

Many classic novels are based on the topic of social inequalities.  Novels such as Sense and Sensibilities focus on lesser characters getting involved with socially superior characters, ending up being pulled into the higher social standings in the process.  The Outsiders shows this gap can be closed in other, more dramatic ways.

The Outsiders has a broad spectrum of characters with the Greasers playing center stage.  The Greasers are a group of friends that include Ponyboy, the main character in the book, and his brothers Darry (the oldest) and Sodapop.  The Greasers also include Two-bit, Steven, Dally, and Johnny Boy.

Two groups are presented in The Outsiders as bitter social rivals:  the “Greasers” and the “Socs.”  The main difference between the two groups is that the Greasers are from the poor side of town while the Socs (short for Socials) are the ones from wealthy families.  The closing of the social inequality gap comes when one of the Socs is killed during a fight.  In the aftermath, the two groups begin to see that they are more alike than they thought.

As the story progresses, Ponyboy and Johnny get into a fight with two of the Socials where one of the Socs is killed.  Pony and Johnny go on the run and find themselves at an abandoned church where they begin to find out that who they are is more than just where they were born.    As Ponyboy and Johnny spend more and more time at the church they meet up with Dally.  Dally talks them into going back home as a fight is brewing between the Greasers and the Socs.  As they are returning to the church from getting something to eat, they notice that the church they were staying in was on fire.  Ponyboy and Johnny run into the fire to save some children that had been picnicking in the church.  Dally saves both Ponyboy and Johnny but Johnny is seriously injured and does not survive.  When Johnny dies, Dally goes crazy and ends up getting shot by the cops after the rumble.

• In the novel, The Outsiders, the effects of social inequality play center stage.  Describe the environment of the two groups (Greasers and Socials) and how this environment shapes the character and attitudes of the individuals within each group.
• The Outsiders carries an underlying plot of the personal development of the character Ponyboy.  Describe how Ponyboy’s personality and behavior changes over the course of the novel and give examples showing this development.

Reality stories like The Outsiders contain many elements upon which essays can be based.  Students are, however, caught up in the story itself and overlook some of the novels more subtle issues.  Professional writers like ours can help students with essays covering these kinds of topics in new and innovative ways.  Contact us today to see how we can help you with a world-class essay on this and many other literary masterpieces.