SE Hinton's ageless novel, The Outsiders, tells the dramatic story of the main character and protagonist, Ponyboy Curtis, who must face deadly crimes, enemies (the Socs), and society with his family and gangster friends (the Greasers) to survive. Alongside themes of identity and social division, the author uses the novel's characters, both protagonists and antagonists, to provide a balanced reflection of real-life situations in mid-20th century America and today's society. The mental differences between the classes, the Greasers' misjudgment of self-worth, and the difficulty in understanding the Socs demonstrate problems within real adolescent society. The emotional difference between the Greasers and the Socs realistically explains what divides the two classes. Since the groups live in very different conditions, it is evident that they are in opposite psychological stages; the Greasers, being the poorest gang, are more aggressive as they are always under great pressure to stay standing. Cherry carefully explains: “'It's not just money. Partly it is, but it's not all....