Index IntroductionChallenging Stereotypes in The OutsidersPonyboy: How He ChangesConclusionReferencesIntroductionSunsets are beautiful. It allows you to take a breath and reflect on both the roses and the thorns that life throws at us. It's no wonder the characters in this story loved and mentioned them so much. The novel The Outsiders by SE Hinton is a fictional story about two rival gangs in Oklahoma who may see the same beautiful sunset but still experience the world in different ways. The rivalry between the Greasers and Socs turns violent, and Ponyboy Curtis is left behind to tell us his story. We see how each character struggles with the challenges that come with being young and being trapped in limiting social expectations. The theme that stereotypes don't always define who you are is developed in this story when Ponyboy and Johnny heroically save children from a burning church, when Cherry decides to help the Greasers, and when Randy has a heartfelt conversation with Ponyboy. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Challenging Stereotypes in The Outsiders The theme that stereotypes don't always define who you are is developed when Ponyboy and Johnny decide to risk their lives and save children from a burning church. What readers should know is that they were on the run from the police because Johnny had killed Bob the Soc. They spent a week hiding in an abandoned church before Dally came to find them. When they left to go eat, they returned to a burning church and realized they may have started the fire. At that moment, they don't decide to run away, they instead decide to save the children. In chapter 6, Jerry tells Ponyboy, “'Mrs. O'Briant and I think you were sent straight from Heaven'” (Hinton 95). What's happening right now is that Ponyboy is trying to explain to Jerry that he's a delinquent, someone who isn't worthy of such praise. Most people looked at him and thought he was a thug or a thief, but Jerry didn't see him that way. This moment illustrates how stereotypes don't always define you because Ponyboy didn't fit the stereotype of a violent, uncaring Greaser. In reality, he and Johnny were good people, and Jerry recognized who they were based on their heroic actions, not their appearances. Another example that supports this theme is when a girl Ponyboy likes shows him that she is not what she seems. Ponyboy: How He Changes The theme that stereotypes may not define a person is developed when Cherry decides to help the Greasers. What readers should know is that Cherry is a Soc while Ponyboy is a Greaser. When he discovers that Ponyboy and Johnny are on the run because they killed Bob, he decides to do the right thing by telling the police what really happened and acting as a spy against his own gang. In chapter 8, Cherry tells Ponyboy, “'I wasn't trying to give you charity, Ponyboy. I just wanted to help.'” (Hinton 129). What's happening right now is that Ponyboy got mad at Cherry and called her a traitor. He was angry about everything that had happened and took it out on her. Even though Cherry was sad about Bob's death, it didn't mean she agreed with his actions. He cared about Ponyboy's well-being. This illustrates the theme that stereotypes are not always correct because Cherry chooses to do what is right as opposed to what her gang expects of her. This reveals that as individuals we are capable of change and capable of moving beyond people's expectations of who we are. Another example that supports this theme is, 1967.