Support of Life

Authors Note: This is my theme piece on The Outsiders written by S.E. Hinton.  Needing support from a family member was easily noticeable in this beautifully written book.

What would you do if you had no family left? Most people would try to find someone that they can stick together with.  If you didn’t stick together it’s much  easier to get depressed. The need to be with the ones we care for and love the most is essential for our happiness is a theme clearly present in The Outsiders, written by S.E. Hinton. 

First, at the beginning of the book when Ponyboy gets beat up by the Socs if he didn’t have family and friends he would’ve been in even worse condition. Later when Johnny is caught for murder he and Ponyboy have to run away.  If they didn’t have help from Dally they probably been caught immediately.  These events matter once all the boys come together and can relate to each other. 

But sticking together can come in many ways, including family.  Darry, Ponyboy’s older brother, had to give up his education and his life to take care of his brothers when their parents died. Johnny on the other hand had no one watch over him. His mom was always drunk and his dad beats him. Problems like this is just another reason why the boys have to come together to help themselves.

The theme of sticking together is also present in the Hunger Games.  When Katniss was in the hunger games she had to find someone to stay with to survive.  If she didn’t a stick together with Peeta she probably would’ve died immediately.  This is similar to The Outsiders because if Johnny and Ponyboy didn’t help each other at the church they would’ve died as well. 

For a book written in 1967 The Outsiders still has a major theme, having someone to support you.  Support is a key part of being happy in life, and should not be taken lightly.  Almost everyone in the world will say that happiness is the best emotion in life and is essential.