The Outsiders Group

Question:

pollie
pollie
Student
High School - 9th Grade

Why is Ponyboy an outsider?

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Posted by pollie on Friday December 12, 2008 at 8:42 AM and tagged with analysis, characters, details, summary, the outsider, the outsiders, themes.

Answers:

  1. teresa-minarsich
    teresa-minarsich Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    Ponyboy is an outsider because he doesn't really fit in to either group in town. While he is technically a Greaser, his intelligence and sensitivity mark him as an outsider in that group. His association with the Greasers, and his economic and family circumstances make him an outsider at school with the Socs.

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    Posted by teresa-minarsich on Friday December 12, 2008 at 12:09 PM


  2. ladyvols1 Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Ponyboy tells us in the novel "The Outsiders," that he is a member of the gang called "Greasers"  These guys are outsiders because they don't fit in with the group called the Socs.  The Greasers are from broken homes, poor economic situations and little education.  The Socs have the best of everything, which makes them more popular.  As Cherry tells Ponyboy,

    "You greasers have a different set of values. You're more emotional. We're sophisticated—cool to the point of not feeling anything ... Rat race is a perfect name for [our life]." This leads Pony to wonder if perhaps it is just natural for the two classes to be separate and unequal—a fact that haunts Johnny's decision to turn himself in. He knows that the courts stereotype all greasers as juvenile delinquents."

    Pony is also somewhat of an "outsider" in his own group.  He is younger than most of the other boys.  He is still in school and he is really pretty bright.  This causes a feeling of isolation for Ponyboy sometimes and he really doesn't understand the distance he feels. 

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/outsiders/ponyboy-curtis
    http://www.enotes.com/outsiders/summary
    http://www.enotes.com/outsiders/themes

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    Posted by ladyvols1 on Friday December 12, 2008 at 1:07 PM


  3. flashinglights Student
    High School - 9th Grade

    Because he is a greaser and greasers are considered to be outsiders in this book.

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    Posted by flashinglights on Wednesday February 4, 2009 at 4:34 PM