Bob Sheldon in The Outsiders

Introduction

Throughout S.E. Hinton's book The Outsiders, Bob Sheldon stands out as a significant character impacting the story deeply. Bob, who’s part of the Socs, appears to be a violent and spoiled teen often picking on the Greasers, who are the main focus in the book. In this essay, let's dive into Bob Sheldon, his age, and how he affects the story. By looking at his actions, relationships, and the outcomes of his choices, we’ll see how Bob being older than most characters really stirs things up in the narrative.

Bob's Age and Authority

So, Bob’s 18, right? This puts him in a spot where he's got some authority within the Socs gang. Being older than most of his friends means they kinda see him as a leader or someone who's calling the shots. This age gap gives him a fake sense of being mature and in control—something he loves to flex. For instance, when Bob meets Ponyboy Curtis—a Greaser—he uses his age to show superiority: "You know what a greaser is? White trash with long hair." (Hinton 7). By pointing out he's older, Bob tries to put Ponyboy down and establish dominance. This age thing keeps popping up throughout the book and really shapes how Bob interacts with others.

Bob's Age and Violent Behavior

Bob’s got more experience because he's older and has had more time to get involved in violent stuff without caring about consequences. He’s known for being super mean and often resorts to violence to deal with issues. It seems like his age makes this worse since he doesn't really think about what might happen later on. We see this when Bob and his gang go after Johnny and Ponyboy, leading to Johnny killing Bob in self-defense. The narrator sheds light on Bob’s violent streak: "Bob had been a good fighter... He was always roughing up his girl" (Hinton 56). His aggressive nature, which seems influenced by his age, fuels tension between the Socs and Greasers, causing tragic results.

Bob's Age and Relationships

Bob’s age also plays a big role in his relationship with Cherry Valance—a Soc girl tired of all the gang violence. Cherry is also older than Ponyboy and his pals; she sees Bob as someone she can't connect with anymore. Even though she's technically Bob’s girlfriend, she starts distancing herself because of his harsh behavior and lack of empathy. Cherry expresses her worries to Ponyboy: "Bob was getting worse lately... He could have killed you just as easy as those guys." (Hinton 41). She knows about Bob’s age and violent tendencies, making her reconsider their relationship altogether. This shows how Bob’s age affects not only him but how others perceive him too.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bob Sheldon’s age is crucial for understanding his character and role in The Outsiders. Being older than most characters lets him act like he’s in charge more confidently. His age also adds to his violent behavior since he's had more time to do bad stuff without thinking about consequences much. Plus, it impacts his relationships—especially with Cherry Valance—who becomes fed up with his violent ways. By examining what Bob’s age means for him and others around him, we gain better insight into the conflicts shaping the book's dynamics overall.

References

• Hinton, S.E., The Outsiders, New York: Viking Press.
• Piquero, A.R., & Moffitt T.E., "Explaining Crime Over The Life Course", Handbook of Life-Course Criminology.
• Savage J., "The Development of Persistent Criminality", Oxford University Press.
• Curtis R., "Social Contexts of Violence", American Sociological Review.
• Miller J., & Cohen M.A., "The Costs Of Youth Violence", Journal Of Public Health Policy.