Symbolism in The Outsiders

Eyes

Greaser Hair

Gone With the Wind

All throughout Ponyboy's descriptions in the book, he pays particular attention to eye color. Even in the very begining, he states "I hate most guys with green eyes." (Hinton, 1). When Ponyboy visualizes someone he encounters for the reader, their eyes seem to reflect the rest of them. For example, when he describes Darry, his eldest brother, he is sure to include that "He's got eyes like two pieces of pale blue-green ice. They've got a determined set to them, like the rest of him." (Hinton, 6).

I have noticed throughout this book that those with blue/green eyes seem to be tougher than anyone else Ponyboy describes. For example, Darry, Dally and Bob Sheldon, who all, have blue eyes and ironically have rough personalities. Also, Sandy (Soda's cheating girlfriend) had "china blue eyes". (Hinton, 15).

The Greaser's hair seems to be their pride and joy all throughout the book. I assume this is because they do not have ''tuff'' cars like most of the Soc's do, so they must find something else to show off. It also seems to be the group's trademark, hence their name. I think it shows their disregard of rules and regulations. It shows how little they care, and how they aren't afraid to be different.

This becomes very obvious when Johnny proposes that Ponyboy cut and bleach his hair, to reduce the chance of getting caught... " 'Oh, no! My hand flew to my hair. 'No Johnny, not my hair!' It was my pride." (Hinton, 71).

The popular book published in 1936, is commonly mentioned during the end of this book. I think it strongly signifies Johnny and Ponyboy's friendship. During their hide out in the church, they read this book to pass time. During their reading, the reader's and Ponyboy's perceptive of Johnny changes... "I guess his teachers thought he was just plain dumb. But he wasn't". (Hinton, 75).

This book further symbolizes their relationship when Johnny writes him a note, asking him to finish, after he passes away. They were able to bond while reading, and openly discuss their thoughts... " 'I bet they were cool 'ol guys," he said, after I had read the part about them riding into sure death because they were gallant." (Hinton, 75.)

Cars

Gold

The car each character owns says a lot about them. It visually divides the Greasers and Socs. One is easily able to make assumptions about the amount of money each group has as well. It shows the effect on the Greasers as well; each time they see the blue mustang, or expensive (tuff) car, they immediately identify it as a Soc's.

Ponyboy describes how everyone jumps to conclude and looks at the Greasers being less value than the Socs because they "drive old souped-up cars" (Hinton, 3), while the Socs drive Corvairs and Mustangs. So, the cars each group drives effects their social status. The Greaser's cars represent their vulnrability, while the Socs represent their dominance in the social situation.

Throughout the entire book, Ponyboy expresses the importance of gold. In the beginning, gold is used to describe those he loves, and everything good and pure. He used the color "dark-gold" (Hinton, 39) to describe his beloved brother's hair. He also describes Soda's horse, Mickey Mouse, as dark-gold, and valuable. His mother is also visualized as "golden and beautiful." (Hinton, 48).

However, gold is not only used to describe everything that is beautiful and that he loves dearly, as it reveals and deeper meaning when he is hiding with Johnny. He tells Johnny of a poem he once read, and memorized, by Robert Frost, stating "nothing gold can stay." ( Hinton, 77). This is made very prominent because of his mother, and Mickey Mouse. Also, in Johnny's note to Ponyboy, he says, "I've been thinking about it, and that poem, that guy that wrote it, he meant you're gold when you're a kid, ike green. When you're a kid everything's new, dawn. It's just when you get used to everything that it's day. Like the way you dig sunsets Pony. That's gold. Keep that way, it's a good way to be." (Hinton, 178)

And, Johnny's last words: "Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold..." (Hinton, 148).

Symbolism in The Outsiders