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Andrew Allen
Professor Thompson
English 1302
21 November 2016
Analyzing Tone in The Outsiders
The short story The Outsiders has many elements that can be analyzed from a literary
aspect. Hinton uses many rhetorical devices to really make the story relatable to the readers. For
instance, the symbolism aspect of modern day high school, the rich privileged popular kids
verses the poor less fortunate kids is something that almost anybody can relate to. Also Hinton
uses underlying themes to progress the characters as well as the story. Another way the author
expresses this story is through the use of tone. The tone of the story changes several times
throughout the book which adds an understanding to the way the characters feel. The tone shifts
from being very bitter, then transcends to anger and fear, then lastly changes to a more positive
and uplifting tone.
When the story first starts out it is pretty clear on the different emotions that the
characters feel; for example, the tone the author uses is very bitter. Especially from the main
characters point on view. The explanation of the Greasers and the Socs is something that is
easily understood in the modern day. Many people would be able to relate to the story because of
how socio-economic divides shape the lives of young people especially teenagers (matt haig).
Pony and the other greasers do not like the fact the socs get everything handed to them so easily;
like, the cars, girls, money, and popularity; while they get nothing but hard work and picked on.
The tone really effects the readers by allowing them to connect with the story, which is really
important. Not only is the tone bitter because of the socs, but also because of the society. The

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greasers are also looked down upon because of their appearance, their poor clothes, and their
greasy hair. The greasers seem to be inferior to everyone, even though many of the people living
in that society have many things in common. The author does a good job in expressing so much
just through tone, word choice, and dialect from the characters.
The tone in the story shifts from being very bitter to being angry and fearful around the
middle of the story. The tone does have a very noticeable shift right after Pony realizes that the
greasers and the socs could potentially have a lot of things in common if they got to know each
other. He gets to this conclusion right after talking to Bobs girlfriend, Cherry. When Pony and
Johnny run into the socs is when tone changes right at that instance to anger. The anger is
obvious because a fight was expected to happen as soon as the two rival groups saw each other.
The specific dialect that Hinton uses really expresses this. The anger grew and grew especially to
point where the confrontation resulted in a brawl, which led to death of Bob. Once Bob died that
is where the tone shifts again. The author is able to portray the all-out fear that the two greasers
are feeling at this point. She describes the fear through their desperation to escape and not
wanting to get caught. Hinton also uses the tone of fear to express the emotions that Pony is
feeling when the thought of him being sent to a boys home comes into the picture. His fear at this
time is very prevalent. Family is something that the greasers and Pony really care a lot about.
This point in the story the readers are beginning to see differences in the characters as well and
not just tone. The tone shifts again after this, however it is not similar to the other tone shifts in
the story.
The last tone shift change is a lighter positive note. The story is now coming to an end
and the author is now showing the character grow as a person. Pony no longer is wanting to
argue with his older brother. The author expresses his growth with letting Pony come to the

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realization that he has to let the pain go of the death of his two close friends. He realizes that he
has to grow up. Hinton show this change through him letting him start focusing on his grades and
family and not the bitterness of the differences between the greasers and the socs. Also the
character Johnny has a change that is realized through the tone the author uses. He realizes that
even though he is dying that he must also grow up. It is clear that he does not only want to be
remembered by being a greaser. The dialect is pretty clear on the way the tone shifted in
Johnnys character because he wouldn't mind it so much if there wasn't so much stuff I ain't
done yet and so many things I ain't seen. It's not fair" (Hinton 121). The tone of this quote is
sorrow and regret that Johnny did not live his life to the fullest potential, because of some silly
rivalry. The story ends with some of the greasers realizing that there are more important issues in
life to deal with, and that everyone must get over a town rivalry. They also realize that the
feeling of still being an outsider in their own town is not that important anymore and to
embrace what they do have (Felder).
The tone throughout this whole story was constantly changing. Because of the tone the
readers are really able to connect to this story and the characters. Especially, people who are
around the age of teenagers. The tone allowed some of the characters to grow from being
immature boys to mature young men. The main character Pony and his friend Johnny are the
characters that grew the most through the authors choice of word choice and diction. The tone
changed in the beginning from being very bitter and resentful, to being angry and vengeful, to in
the end showing appreciation and gratefulness. The tone an author uses can drastically shape the
way a story is portrayed, and S.E Hinton does this very well.

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Works cited page

Feder-Feitel, Lisa. "S.E. Hinton Has The Write Stuff." Scholastic Scope 54.6/7 (2005): 14.
MasterFILE Premier. Web. 22 Nov. 2016.
Hinton, S. E. The Outsiders. New York: Viking, 2007. Print.
MATT, HAIG. "THE OUTSIDERS BY SE HINTON." Independent (UK) 14 Nov. 2015: Points
of View Reference Center. Web. 21 Nov. 2016.

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The tone shifts from being very bitter, then transcends to anger and fear, then lastly changes to a
more positive and uplifting tone.
I. Introduction
A. Literary devices that Hinton uses
1. Symbolism
2. Reoccurring themes
B. The importance of tone
1. The changing tone throughout the story
2. How it effects the characters, story, and readers
C. The tone shifts from being very bitter, then transcends to being angry and fearful, then
changes to a more positive and uplifting tone
II. Tone in the beginning of the story
A. Very bitter
1. Upset and jealous at the socs
2. How society views them
B. Comparing the tone to current day issues
1. Quote from a teenage girl who really relates to this story
2. Comparing the characters to current day people
III. Tone in the middle of the story
A. Angry
1. Let the anger cause problems
2. Got into the fight that caused bobs death
B. Fearful tone
1. Characters scared of getting killed in fight
2. Fear of getting caught for murder
IV. The ending tone
A. Positive
1. Main characters growth
2. Turned his life around
B. Grateful
1. Realized should be happy for family
2. No longer cared about the town rival
V. Conclusion
A. How the tone effected the story
1. Experience the same things
2. How word choice and diction affected the way the story was told
B. How the tone allowed the characters to progress
1. Saw the characters grow up
2. Knows what is really important

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