Education In The Outsiders

Words: 459
Pages: 2

First published on April 24th, 1967, S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, highlights a growing issue in the United States and other first world countries -- the gradual increase of the gap between the rich and the poor. Quite often, the value of education is overlooked in poorer families; in this case, a prime example of said family is the Curtis family, along with the Curtis boys’ gang, the greasers. Due to the Curtis family’s poor economic state, the main character, Ponyboy’s two older brothers, Darrel (Darry) and Sodapop Curtis were forced to seek out jobs at a young age. Thus, their educations were cut short and replaced with the lives of working men rather than being able to have a childhood. On the other hand, the rich kids, or the Socs, are extremely fortunate and …show more content…
However, despite their varying economic states, both the Socs and greasers share similar interests; and although the Socs’ lives may be seemingly perfect, they each have their own adversities to overcome. Through Ponyboy’s interactions with Cherry Valence, a Soc the greasers meet at the movies, the two bond over their mutual love of literature and sunsets; as they grow closer, Cherry opens up to Ponyboy and shares her view on the feud between the two social groups -- the Socs and the greasers. Cherry says she believes the difference between the Socs and greasers doesn’t stem from different financial situations, but from emotions, or lack thereof. Proving that communication is a major key into understanding the differences, beliefs, and cultures of people different from oneself before discriminating. According to Cherry, the Socs are “cool to the point of not feeling anything… [They’re] always going and going, and never asking where.” Not only does this book offer insight on the struggles of different economic groups, it also emphasizes the importance of honor and self