As a teenager, it’s easy to let thoughts of being invincible take over your life. You begin to feel as if nothing can harm you physically or mentally. But if an enormous, life-changing experience occurs, children and teenagers are forced out of ignorant and naïve mind sets, swiftly thrown into reality. In the story The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, the main character Ponyboy faces a perilous situation and from it he learns to be more aware of the world; he becomes more mature about the way he handles situations and his life in general.
As you grow up, it’s natural to act differently than you used to. Some may find themselves speaking with correct grammar or sitting up tall in a chair. Either way, as an adult, usually you have a new and changed attitude towards life. After his incident in which he saves lives and loses some, Ponyboy is a different person. For example, one night, Two-Bit–a friend of Ponyboy’s– takes him out for a soda when a gang of Socs strolls in. Instead of avoiding the trouble like he would have a few weeks ago, Ponyboy speaks straight up to the group standing in front of him. He says, “ ‘You get back in that car or you’ll get split.’ ” (171). For the first time, Ponyboy stood up for himself and his “family” of greasers. This is something he could not have done if he hadn’t been changed by his experience.
When you’ve really gotten older, things can suddenly change and the world around you may look unlike it did before. You should begin to learn more about the world, sometimes a little more than you’re ready for. Ponyboy learned these things fast, too fast. After his new best friend Johnny passes away, realizations of our vicious and unrewarding world hit him hard. This new weight causes Ponyboy to become extremely depressed to the point where he can’t eat or sleep and even the one thing he’s known best for in his group of greasers–excellent grades–have been slipping. It seems everything that has happened was too overwhelming and he couldn’t seem to cope. Obviously the past event and new, brutal knowledge has greatly affected him.
Although these recent complications in Ponyboy’s life have changed him in some awful ways, he also has opened his eyes and tried to put himself in others’ shoes, especially his brother Darry. With Darry, Ponyboy has never had the same connection he does with the other greasers. I can feel the tension when they speak to each other not to mention the constant conflict. But after his life changing adventure, Ponyboy looked at his situation differently. He realized that Darry has put so much into keeping his already dysfunctional family together. He’s sacrificed college and sports and gave it his all to ensure that nothing falls apart. In the text, Ponyboy slowly ponders this new revelation. “Darry looked real worried. I suddenly realized … he had given up a lot for Soda and me.” (176). At this moment, Ponyboy has officially made the transition into basic adulthood; he has thought about someone other than himself.
So I suppose I’m not quite there yet. I haven’t experienced something that could potentially change my entire world and life. Although I don’t mean to, I often put myself before others but for now, I think that’s all right. Ponyboy was forced into his changes and realizations. I’d rather ease into it slowly so I don’t face some of the terrible side affects Ponyboy did. Either way, as you grow older, yes, the world seems different. But, you can’t let setbacks stop you or harm you, not if you’re strong.
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