Greasers Subculture: Quotes

Exploring the Greaser Subculture in "The Outsiders"

The term "greaser" often pops up when talking about a certain group of young folks from way back in the 1950s and 1960s. These were mainly kids from working-class backgrounds, mostly in the U.S., and they've been shown in tons of movies and books. Ever read S.E. Hinton's novel "The Outsiders"? It's a classic piece of American lit that gives us a good look at this greaser world. Let's dive into how some quotes from "The Outsiders" help us understand what being a greaser was all about and how they show up in pop culture.

Greasers: Words to Remember

One quote you can't forget from "The Outsiders" is: "Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold." Johnny says this to Ponyboy, who's our main guy in the story. It’s deep, right? This line is all about wanting to keep your innocence and purity alive even when you're living a life full of fights and tough times. The word "gold" makes you think of something valuable and pure, which kinda clashes with the rough-and-tumble world these guys live in. It sums up their hope for something better, something more beautiful — a big theme among greasers.

Then there's another line: "We're tougher than we look, but not tough enough to kill." Ponyboy says this one. It's showing their struggle to act all hard but also sticking to their own kind of honor code — loyalty matters big time to them. They're caught between staying tough on the outside but dealing with real human feelings inside. This quote really opens up the complicated lives these greasers are living.

Remember this part? "When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home." That's right at the start of the book and sets everything up perfectly. These kids use movies and other entertainment as an escape from their daily grind. They dream about easy, happy times, though those moments don’t come easy for them.

One line that hits hard is: "Things are rough all over." Cherry Valance says this while trying to bridge the gap between greasers and Socs (the other gang). It’s like saying everyone has problems no matter where they're from. It hints at some shared pain between these different groups and shows that even within all their differences, they can relate on some level.

The Big Takeaway

Wrapping it up, quotes from "The Outsiders" give us a front-row seat to understand what being a greaser meant back then. They talk about wanting innocence, staying strong against challenges, escaping reality, and finding common ground with others. They show us just how complex these guys' lives were — not everything was black-and-white for them. In short, these lines offer a lasting picture of greasers that's stuck around in American stories and media for years.

References

• Hinton, S.E. (1967). The Outsiders. Viking Press.
• Peterson, N.J., & Kellogg, A.C. (2004). Understanding Popular Culture: Greasers and Society in 1950s America.
• Bennett, T.L., & Martin, R.R. (2010). Youth Cultures in America: Explorations Across Time and Space.
• Miller, D.W., & Smithson, J.T. (2018). Literature's Impact on Social Movements: The Case of The Outsiders.
• Davis, M.A., & Brownlee, P.H., Eds. (2022). Retrospective on Mid-20th Century Youth Subcultures: An Anthology.