Writer's Forum "Stereotyping"
Have you ever looked at someone who was dressed a certain way, or
who lived in a particular area of town, or who had a certain group of friends
or who always earned good or poor grades...and assumed something about that
person's life or personality? Maybe this has happened to you!
This is called
Stereotyping. An early example from The Outsiders occurs in the assumptions
that the Socs and Greasers have about each other. Each group believes or
assumes that members of the rival group are indistinguishable from one another.
When they stereotype the members of the group, they disregard the uniqueness of
each member.
Pony and Cherry
have a conversation in which we see assumptions that can be made about each
other. Pony talks about the Socs as though they are like those boys who beat up
Johnny. Cherry tries to convince him that this isn't true, using Dally as an
example. She knows that Dally might mug someone, but Pony would not. Pony and
Dally belong to the same gang. But that doesn't mean they are just alike in
character.
At this point,
Pony also believes that the Greasers are the only ones with any problems. He
thinks that because the Socs all have money and opportunities, they must not
have any problems. Cherry tell him that "things are rough all over".
Cherry seems to realize the truth, but most of the Socs and Greasers do not.
This leads to conflicts between the two groups.
1. Explain why you
think stereotyping leads to conflict between people and groups of people. Use
an experience you or someone close to you has had as an example of your
explanation.
2. Answer in
paragraph form on this blog.
3. Comment on 2
other student’s posts on this blog.
