Blessing In S. E. Hinton's The Outsiders
At 17 years old, S.E. Hinton managed to write one of the most memorable and accurate novelistic depictions of what it’s like to want acceptance and belonging as a teenager. The Outsiders, Hinton’s first novel, remains as one of the best-selling young-adult novels of all time.
Written for teenagers, about teenagers, and by a teenager, The Outsiders captivates its audience with memorable characters (who are memorable for more than their obscure names) and climactic drama, and it leaves the reader with the message of what a blessing it is to be naive, innocent and young (or, as the book puts it, staying “gold”).
The story is centered around the aftermath of a “rumble” between two opposing gangs: the Socs, who are the “rich kids,” and the Greasers,
Written for teenagers, about teenagers, and by a teenager, The Outsiders captivates its audience with memorable characters (who are memorable for more than their obscure names) and climactic drama, and it leaves the reader with the message of what a blessing it is to be naive, innocent and young (or, as the book puts it, staying “gold”).
The story is centered around the aftermath of a “rumble” between two opposing gangs: the Socs, who are the “rich kids,” and the Greasers,