Topic > Literary Devices for Presenting Conflict in “The Outsiders”

The novel “The Outsiders,” by SE Hinton, was written in 1967 and focuses on the ongoing, negative impacts of conflict through a variety of literary techniques. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The conflict first appears in the novel between two rival gangs from opposite sides of the city as they foolishly involve themselves in unnecessary violence. The Socs are a middle-class group of wealthy teenagers who are rivals of the Greasers who define their social status as proud to belong to a gang that supports each other through loyalty and respect. The novel also shows the conflict between the Socs and Greasers Johnny, highlighting their long-lasting physical, psychological and emotional effects of the conflict which are depicted in the characters of Johnny and Socs. Which leads to dramatic and lasting consequences of conflict throughout the novel. In the opening chapter SE Hinton constructively conveys the lasting physical and social consequences of the conflict through a series of literary devices. Hinton comprehensively explores the use of conflict between Socs and Greasers when both have doubts. Hinton explains that "A fight, when it's called, usually arises from a grudge fight, and the opponents happen to bring their friends with them." By using metaphor, Hinton can describe the various physical and social abuse shown between the Greasers and Socs while Ponyboy provides a description of the Greasers and the Socs directed at the reader, he can explore the unnecessary pain and overwhelming physical and social circumstances of the Socs and the Greasers. Hinton's use of metaphor adds an idea and makes a comparison by saying that something is something when it is not, for example in this sense the author comments "A rumble, when called, usually arises from a struggle out of spite", the metaphor is represented as Hinton is comparing something to another. Additionally, Ponyboy employs "Skin fighting isn't tough, it lets off steam better than anything." Through the use of hyperbole depicted throughout the novel it demonstrates, the lasting physical consequences of the conflict between Greasers and Socs, in the time Two-bit is making it clear to Marcia that not all fighting is violence, this shows the lasting physical consequences of the conflict since “fighting is not violence” the use of hyperbole emphasizes the reader and creates meaning so we can develop a sense of urgency. Evidently, it is Hinton's use of language that captures how the lasting physical and social consequences of the conflict are thoroughly explored throughout the novel. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay Hinton effectively uses a number of literary devices in "The Outsiders" to highlight the physical and lasting consequences of the conflict that depict Dally's physical violence. Dally is introduced as having "high cheekbones", "sharp chin", "pointed teeth", "blue eyes", and "long white hair". “Suddenly there was dead silence. We were all frozen. No one in my family had ever hit me." Through the use of metaphor, Hinton can explore how Dally in various activities has had violence associated with him throughout his life, including hitting Ponyboy when he came home late after being out with Johnny. The descriptive language of “Suddenly there was a dead silence,” reiterates to the reader that he was describing a dead silence. It adds motivation, creative value and emotion to the text. Therefore, it is clearly evident that Hinton can explain the ongoing and negative impacts of conflict through a variety.