What Is The Conflict of The Outsiders?

The Outsiders, written by S.E. Hinton, is a novel about two groups of adolescents from different socioeconomic backgrounds who clash in their small Oklahoma town. The novel centers on the conflict between the Socs and Greasers. The Socs are the ones with all the power and the greasers are constantly at a disadvantage. The novel explores the themes of class, violence, and friendship through its exploration of these conflicts. The Greasers are a close-knit group of friends who look out for each other in tough situations; they are loyal to one another and help each other out during difficult times. The Socs are often bullies who pick on the Greasers and treat them poorly because of their lower socioeconomic status; they exploit their power to threaten others because they feel like they have nothing to lose due to their higher status in society. Ponyboy Curtis is a protagonist in this novel and he is caught in the middle of this conflict because he is a part of both groups; Ponyboy’s brother, Darry, is the leader of the Greasers who is very protective of his younger brother; Ponyboy’s best friend, Johnny, is also a fellow Greasers caught up in the middle of this conflict.