Tolog Review: The Outsiders

The Outsiders
by S.E. Hinton 
reviewed by Mila Mendoza 

S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders tells a suspenseful story about “greasers” vs. “socs” filled with wit, action, and tragedy. Ponyboy, a greaser, guides the reader not only through the novel but through the class divide, and defines what it means to be a greaser and a Soc. Greasers are the rough and tough teens who find their own version of a family in their gang and fight, drag race, and steal for sport. Socs, short for socials, are the high class kids who have flashy cars and lifestyles, and are the enemies of all greasers as they unreasonably attack the lower class gang. Every member of a gang loathes every member of the other simply because of their reputation and a few dangerous members from both sides. From a shallow point of view, the greasers are uneducated, inhumane, and criminals, but throughout the novel even the toughest of the tough Dally Winston shows redeeming and heroic qualities. From a shallow point of view, the Socs are brats with too much time and money on their hands, but Ponyboy’s entire viewpoint of the Socs becomes more open and accepting after meeting two kind, caring girls from the enemy gang: Cherry and Marcia. His view of the Socs later improves following an unforgettable run-in with a few of their members, accompanied by the most innocent greaser Johnny. In this novel, darkness appears from the pure and goodness appears from unexpected places and people.

Repeatedly, Hinton explores classism and the idea that: “Not all of us are like that” remains constant throughout the novel. (33) Hinton suggests how uncalled for the class divide is and intimates that each person should be valued as an individual rather than forming assumptions about his or her character based simply upon gang affiliation. Ponyboy begins the book constantly musing upon the immense class divide, and later realizes that: “Maybe the two worlds we lived in weren’t so different”. Hinton’s straightforward writing style suggests the harsh reality the greasers and Socs face and to an extent, lightens what could be an intensely dark novel therefore making it appealing to a wider audience. The Outsiders has action, surprises, and wisecracks, but I found the straightforward, matter of fact style dull at times. I recommend this book to anyone who likes action novels or likes the musical “West Side Story” because the greasers and Socs hold many similarities to the jets and the sharks.