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.