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The Outsiders Symbolism

Terms in this set (15)

What is the symbolism for the haircut?
The greasers cannot afford rings, cars, or other physical trappings of power that the Socs enjoy. Consequently, they must resort to more affordable markers of identity. By wearing their hair in a specific style, greasers distinguish themselves from other social groups. When the Socs jump Ponyboy at the beginning of the novel, they ask him if he wants a haircut and threaten to cut off his hair. By doing so, they would rob him of his identity.
What is the symbolism for Bob's rings?
Bob Sheldon's rings function similarly to the Socs' cars. Throughout literature, rings and jewelry have been traditional symbols of wealth. The rings in this story represent the physical power that accompanies wealth. By using his rings as combative weapons, Bob takes advantage of his economic superiority over Ponyboy and the other greasers, using his wealth to injure his opponents.
What is the symbolism for Two-Bits black-handled switch blade?
Two-Bit's switchblade is his most prized possession and, in several ways, represents the disregard for authority for which greasers traditionally pride themselves. First of all, the blade is stolen. Second, it represents a sense of the individual power that comes with the potential to commit violence. This symbolism surfaces most clearly when Dally borrows the blade from Two-Bit and uses it to break out of the hospital to join his gang at the rumble. It is fitting that Two-Bit finally loses the blade when the police confiscate it from Dally's dead body. The loss of the weapon, at this point, becomes inextricably linked with the loss of Dally—a figure who embodies individual power and authority.
What is the symbolism for Soda's horse?
The horse represents innocence. Soda's horse, Mickey Mouse, connects the boys to youth. Soda enjoyed the horse as a young boy. When the horse was sold, Soda was devastated. He shared a special bond with the horse that he could not again duplicate.
What is the symbolism for the church?
The church was a safe haven for both Ponyboy and Johnny. It was a hideout for them as they were hiding from the crime that was committed. It was a place that allowed them to be themselves and reflect on their lives.
What is the symbolism for the burning church?
The burning of the church allowed Johnny and Ponyboy to be able to reveal their true colors.
What does the book ending with the exact words it started with symbolize?
This is a symbol of the journey that Ponyboy has been on. It shows that he was able to work through all of the destruction that occurred throughout the story.
What does gold symbolize?
Gold symbolizes everything that is good and pure. It stands for what is happy, easy, and innocent. Unfortunately, in the poem, it is clear that nothing that is gold can stay.
What do the sunsets symbolize?
The sunsets symbolize that nothing that is good can stay. Sunsets are short, and blissful, but they do end.
What do the madras shirts symbolize?
The shirts act as a visual separator between the Socs and the Greasers. The shirts represent the life style of the Socs, being preppy, rich, party-hungry, and laid back.
What does the gas station symbolize?
The gas station symbolizes the stereotypical dirty, messy, and lazy work that is associated with most Greasers. It is where Soda works and further strengthens the idea that Socs are dirty people.
What does the unloaded gun symbolize?
The unloaded gun symbolizes something that seems a threat yet is not. As is apparent, the greasers seem like a threat to the Socs but are not.
What does the book, Gone with the Wind symbolize?
Gone with the Wind is about the south in the Civil War. At the time it was written, they were losing, therefore, they were the outsiders of their time. Johnny and Ponyboy understood this and sympathized for them, thinking of the southern gentlemen as heroes.
What does the country symbolize?
The country symbolizes a place to escape in which there are no stereotypes, and there is much peace. It is the ideal place for the character Johnny to live in, where he is free from his parents and the Socs.
What does the rumble symbolize?
The rumble symbolizes the rugged and dog-eat-dog world that the rival social classes must compete in, in order to remain dominant.
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