PRESENTATION OUTLINE
DARRY'S EYES
Darry, the oldest Curtis boy, has eyes that Ponyboy describes as pale blue-green ice, determined set to them, and that they look cold and hard. Darry's eyes symbolize him having to become the guardian of the house at a young age, and that he had to grow up too fast. This meant showing less emotion and caring for Sodapop and Ponyboy.
CHOCOLATE CAKE
Although all three Curtis boys like their eggs prepared very differently, they all enjoy chocolate cake for breakfast. The cake represents the unity they have as brothers, and even if they are way different, they are Curtis brothers and are similar in many ways.
CIGARETTES
Cigarettes are a sign of calming and something natural to all the greasers. They all started smoking at a very young age, and they find it as a routine.
SUNSETS
Cherry Valance and Ponyboy both enjoy watching sunsets. I think this represents that even if you are labeled a Soc or Greaser, that doesn't make you. You can have your own personality traits. They all live under the same sky, even if individuals are stereotyped the same as everyone in their gang.
THE COUNTRY
The country symbolizes a land where there are no labels, gangs, stereotypes, or drama. Ponyboy would love to live there because he is different from the greasers and likes a peaceful environment, compared to the hustle and bustle of the city.
GONE WITH THE WIND
When Johnny and Ponyboy are in the church amidst the country, they read Gone With the Wind to pass time. Johnny really enjoys it and when he is in the hospital, he asks Ponyboy to buy him another copy after the first one was burned in the church fire. I think this represents. Johnny understanding something so complex when he has the time to, and Ponyboy and him bonding over something that they can both enjoy.
S.E. Hinton does a great job of filling the novel with symbols, which keeps it interesting. It also relates things to each other and creates depth.
Darry's eyes relate to the reader because they add to Darry's character development and inform the reader about the kind of person Darry is.
Chocolate cake as a symbol relates to the reader because it shows that all three brothers are not mismatched or not similar at all, and makes the reader think of them like a team.
Cigarettes let the reader know that the greasers all share something as under times of stress it calms them down, or they smoke normally. It gives the reader background information on the type of people (most) Greasers are.
Sunsets affect the reader because they let us know that Greasers and Socs aren't that different, because we all live under the same sky.
The country relates to the reader because it lets you know that the whole world isn't made up of Socs and Greasers.
Gone With the Wind makes the reader feel that although Greasers are known for being dropouts and not intelligent, many can understand things in the right setting and with the right amount of time.
