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Ponyboy, Sodapop, Greasers, and Socs. These are just some of the interesting names you will find when reading S.E. Hinton's, The Outsiders. This novel, intended for a Grade Eight classroom, deals with the difficulties of growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, and the importance of realizing that everyone is valuable in some way or another.
My first question to Hinton was, of course, "Where did you come up with the names for these characters?" She smiled and replied, "I wanted my readers to remember each character for their unique traits and quirks. What better way to help them along than with names like Ponyboy and Sodapop!"
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After a brief discussion on the plot of the novel, I asked Hinton how she felt about being a female and writing this type of "social class clash" novel from the point of view of the Greasers (who are labeled lower class). "Well," she started, "it was actually quite natural for me. I grew up with the 'Greasers.' I am one! The occurrences in this book are based on what I know to be true. As for being female, I think that my readers are definitely a little shocked when they find out. I deal with some pretty touchy topics such as murder, suicide, abuse, and so on. I didn't want my readers to know that I was a woman because I assumed they would judge me on the spot by saying, 'How could she possibly know
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anything about this type of life?'
"Staying Gold," I said. "What does it mean?' Hinton replied, " So many adolescents in todays society lose their innocence years before they are ready. Many are abused, into drugs, from poor families where they have to start work at an early age; they don't get the opportunity to be a child in the full meaning of the word. It's sad to think about, but it's an issue that we should all focus on. By staying gold, my characters hold on to those 'golden' years for just a little longer before the harsh truth of reality can fully corrupt them."
So there you have it. This novel has everything from social injustice to murder, to everlasting bonds that mean the difference between life and death. It is a fantastic read that will tug on your heart strings wether you are in Grade Eight or going on 80!
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