The Outsiders Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Words: 428
Pages: 2

Ponyboy’s interaction with Cherry changed Ponyboy’s perspective in regards to the Socs because Cherry helped Ponyboy realize that they are not as bad as he stereotypes them to be.

During the initial part of the conversation, Cherry mentions the fact that Socs fought Johnny, saying in paragraph 9, “All Socs aren’t like that.You have to believe me Ponyboy. Not all of us are like that.” Ponyboy replies in paragraph 10, “Sure.” This subtly scornful remark signifies that he is demonstrating sarcasm through his speech. Although he says “sure” in a manner that suggests he is agreeing with Cherry, the sarcasm in this statement likely means he disagrees with her and does not believe that what she is saying is true. His sarcasm shows that he does not think highly of the Socs and is not yet willing to change his views towards them.
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It is evident that this changed Ponyboy’s views towards the Socs because instead of sarcastically answering “Sure,” he answered with a more genuine response, saying in paragraph 14, “I believe you.” Switching from a sarcastic response to one that feels more true, as if he truly meant it, signifies a change in his opinion towards the Socs. It shows that Ponyboy finally started agreeing with Cherry.

After the conversation, Ponyboy changed his mentality. Paragraph 15 says that he thought to himself, “It seemed funny to me that the Socs–if these girls were any example–were just like us.I thought it was maybe money that separated us.” It is blatantly obvious that Cherry changed Ponyboy’s perspective towards Socs, considering the fact that he came to realize that the Socs were just like greasers, the only difference being