reading response

From reading The Outsiders, I have noticed that the characters from the book are a lot like the characters from the movie, Stand By Me.  Both groups of kids come from troubled and sad pasts, some are involved in crime, and both groups of kids depend on each other.  Without each other they wouldn’t be able to live or have any guidance or advice.       

The characters from The Outsiders deal with the same family problems as the boys from Stand By Me.  Both Gordie and Ponyboy have dealt with a death in their family.  Gordie’s brother died in a car accident and now his parents barely even speak to him anymore.  Ponyboy’s parents died in a car accident as well.  Now he lives with his brother who is also in a gang.  Both boys don’t really have anyone to look up to or to be inspired by.  Johnny Cade and Teddy Duchamp both face abuse from their fathers and their mom’s just kind of ignore it.

Another way these boys are similar is how they are almost all involved with crime or fighting or verbal abuse.  Ponyboy and his friends are a gang and Gordie and his friends practically have their own gang going.  Two-bit from the Outsiders, shoplifts almost everything he owns.  It’s not like he does it for survival but just for fun.  The reason why I think they are involved in these kinds of things is because they don’t have any role models in their lives.  Their parents are practically strangers to them, they don’t teach them anything except for how to deal with abuse.  They don’t have anyone to teach them to do the right things or how to be a successful person.  Gordie’s brother use to be that person but ever since he was killed, Gordie just does what his friends say. 

The boys from the Outsiders and Stand By Me are also alike because of the fact that they rely on each other.  Without each other they would be trapped in a world full of abuse and loneliness.  These friends help them escape from the abuse and have a good time.  In a way they are each others role models even though there not the best ones.  Without Chris and Gordie, Teddy might have died trying to dodge that train.  Without Ponyboy maybe Two-bit or Dallas could commit an even bigger crime.  Even though they aren’t the best people in the world, it doesn’t matter to them because they have each other.                    

All these characters are alike one way or another.  They are also perfect examples of kids going through the process of maturing and adulthood.  They think that the world will be fine as long as they have each other.  But as they grow up they will realize that their friendships are drifting apart and they will notice how its time to think about their future and what they want in life.  You can’t be twelve forever. 

prompt #3

I used to be a small, chubby, Spongebob crazed boy. Someone obsessed with sports. A boy who didn't have a care in the world.  I wouldn't go anywhere without my parents.  I remember when I was in kindergarden; everyday I would cry and beg for my parents to stay with me and go into the classroom.  Tears would fall from my eyes as if I had seen a dead body.  I was immature like every little kid is, always curious and always making friends with everybody I met.  everyone was nice to me and would reply in a smile or wave, after all I was just a little boy.  Why would anyone have something agains't me?  I didn't know about high school stuff and going through puperty, things like that.  Dealing with social issues and struggles in schools.

I am not a completely different kid, except for the whole Spongebob thing and being obsessed with sports.  I am now much more independent and am almost relieved when my parents leave me to do something without them.  But the changes have been both good and bad. But its much much harder.  School can be a struggle, staying up late studying for a test or spending countless hours trying to finish my homework.  When I was little, the only thing that I would have for homework was to read a book or do a worksheet.  Also, as I get older, I am exposed to much more, fighting and girls.  I have dealt with the obvious things like fitting in and bullying.  Not everyone is friendly to me now like when I was little.  If I were to smile at everyone I see in a day, I bet almost everyone would look at me with an odd face.  Back then, everybody would look at me with a smile.

I want to be a successful man when I grow up.  Someone who lives a great life.  I want to be someone who isn't involved with things like drugs and crime because that can lead you into a life of jail and possibly death.  Why would anybody want that?  I don't expect on being a star athlete like I thought I would be when I was little, but someone who enjoys what they are doing and lives everyday to the fullest.

prompt #4

During my transition from childhood to adulthood, I have began to notice all the conflicts that I am getting involved in now, especiallu wiith my parents.  When I was a little kid I would want to go everywhere with my parents.  I would cry if they left my sight for a second.  But now as I am growing up, I have grown to be much more independent, I prefer doing things with my friends.  Instead of going out to dinner with my parents, I would want to go to my friends house.  It may be  because I am embarrassed but it could also be that I just find it boring.

I am also held for much more responsibility, making the right choices and keeping up in school.  When I was younger my parents would do so many thigns for me but now I have to do things for myself and learn from it.  It is the right thing to do but it still gets agrivating.  With responsibilities like taking care of my cousin for a while or going to school early to catch up on homework, your life with social life decreases. A lot of my time is involved with school rather than friends or sports.

Another thing that I notice is that, as you get older, you get exposed to many things, both good and bad.  You start to do things to please your friends rather than doing what you really want to do.  You  fall under peer pressure.  But everyone one does; its hard not to.  I just have to not make stupid decisions that can affect my life.