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The Outsiders Character Changes

Decent Essays

A 1960’s, well known novel, ‘The Outsiders’ written by S.E Hinton is based on two rival gangs; the Socs and the Greasers who, throughout the novel, experience a change in values, beliefs and behaviour. This expression shows that most young people in society change and that change is something that will constantly happen. Through this, Hinton has focused on three main characters, all proving how they have changed throughout the novel. This is shown more specifically through Ponyboy, Randy and Dally. Through the novel, Ponyboy Curtis, the main protagonist and the youngest member of the Greaser gang, changes his beliefs. Ponyboy believes as though the Socials are rich and have plenty of money to solve their problems. He believes as though the Socials don’t have problems and even if they did, money would solve it for them. When progressing through the novel Cherry, a Soc, makes Ponyboy realise that the world isn’t just about Greasers having problems and that they, as Socials, have plenty of …show more content…

Shown from the start of the novel, Dally was described as the ‘real character’ of the gang. He was tougher, colder and meaner than the rest. Although during the incident of the burning church, Darry’s character changed and showed that he had feeling as well. This was proved when Dally, jumps inside the burning church to save the children as well as Ponyboy and Johnny. When that news came out on the newspaper, it had so many people shock as well as the Social and if they hadn’t seen it for their own eyes, “[they]would have never believed a Greaser could pull something like that.” Through this, it was proven that Dally had realised how much little things matted in life and that despite being a hero, it was also important to make sure others were okay. Hinton has proved how Dally has changed in his beliefs as well as his

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