In my experience, I appreciate Shakespeare 's plays more as an adult than I could as adolescent and this observation is valid for “The Outsiders”. This increased appreciation is no doubt due my increased life experiences and general naivete, although possessing a mind of the first rank. I tend not to read fiction, but I needed a break from packing totes and labeling them with such utilitarian titles as “family', “notebooks” and “winter clothes”. That one can compartemtalize oneslife into 18 plastic totes can be dishearting at times, hence the need to take a break that was longer than expected.
I don't know why this book did not leave an impression on me. I suppose that when the reader understands that everyone is the same regardless of social constraints, this young reader did not appreciate the book for other truths and insights, the veracity of equality not withstanding. Without a hierarchy of values, what is to be kept and what is to be discarded? So many books that I'll never read...The idea of alienation is a universal human feeling and is a central tenant of Gnosticism. The struggle between sentiment and utility. Ultimately, even with the totes, the memories remain. Is there something that humans like about touching things that others have touched that link us in some unknown manner? Is this reasonable behavior? I would like to appreciate the book as one of Gnostic alienation, but I didn't initially feel this way and I'm not certain that I will look at this work in that manner. If human nature is to control, then is the possession of something a form of possessiveness or control? The art supplies, I'll use them someday. I believe I said that when I bought them at a yard sale during the last millennium. Someday...We could try to see Ponyboy, the youngest of the three brothers, as the last emanation, Sophia, who struggles in the material world. I need to discard the clothes that no longer fit, regardless of size. The suffering in the church fire, the hospital and the street shooting leading to death can be elements of the baseness of the material world, but is this idea accurate for this book. God, why can't I remember names? Damn moon in Aquarius! Why is that after so many moves and the resultant paring of possessions that there are more things to discard? The end being the beginning the end can be understood in the light of a circle or closed loop. Eternal re-occurrence, Fred said, eternal re-occurrence. “The Outsiders” as the sequel to the will to power? “Bedding” and “towels” . Why do I have almost two totes of towels? I can understand a tote for “office supplies” 'cause I can't pass up cheap composition books and packages of pens at the dollar store, but towels? How did get so many sheets and pillow cases? Is “Groundhog Day” inspired by the ending? What kind of book has the beginning as the end and the end as the beginning? This ain't the Bible....Shot glasses, where did I get four shot glasses? I wonder if a lot of this stuff is even mine....Is a clue to in the title? The outsiders...outside of what? They are not archons, are they? No, that doesn't even make sense, am I channeling Tyler? Where did I get this book? I don't read fiction, it was in one of the totes in the basement. That's two years ago. I bet the book belongs to Sarah..or maybe Rob. I should return it to her immediately, good intentions and all..., but she hasn't asked about it, so I'll just hold one to it and return it to her later...
Gentle Reader, I highly recommend “The Outsiders” as a timeless distraction from more mundane, tedious, if necessary, activity.