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The Outsiders


            What is society? A society is defined as a group with alike tastes, talents, and culture. Popular society is that society of people who are somehow better than the masses. To get into a certain society, one must make certain sacrifices, and at least pretend to have similar tastes, talents, and background to the people already in the established league. The entire world is divided into these clubs, which function much like the brainless herds of sheep found wandering on rural roads without clear direction or purpose. They band together for protection and view all outsiders as either below them, or a threat. In The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton the Greasers strive to be part of this society but instead always seem to be on the bottom end of the ladder. The Socs, who are a wealthier gang are part of this society and constantly torture the Greasers because they are inferior to the standards of this society.
             Most of the members of society, save a few, have forsaken their freedom, their personalities, and their own opinions in order conform their lives to the unspoken laws that abound them. The leaders of societies are rarely great men; they are merely those people who are wealthy and confident in their mannerism. The Socs fit this standard completely. They use their wealth as power and therefore are accepted into high-class society. For example, throughout the novel the Socs often arrive in cars while the Greasers walk. Cars represent the Socs power and the Greasers vulnerability. Because their parents can afford to buy them their cars, the Socs have increased mobility and protection. The Greasers, who move mostly on foot, are physically vulnerable in comparison to the Socs. Still, Greasers like Darry, Sodapop, and Steve do have contact with automobiles, as they repair them. This shows how the Greasers must service and care for Soc possessions. This demonstrates that the Socs have the power to oppress the Greasers.


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