How Do External Factors Affect Ponyboy's Identity

The Outsiders Essay 2017

Do external factors shape a person’s personality? Identity formation or individuality is an instinctive action to develop the personality of an individual. Persistently creating an entity which a person is recognized for. Who a person is and who they will become can be greatly influenced by the external factors that they are exposed to. Above all, people can be influenced by the following: community, childhood, and time period. Of course, some individuals say that which community a person grew up in doesn’t affect them, but does it?

Sequentially, Ponyboy’s community affected his identity. He lived on the East side of Tulsa, Oklahoma, also known as the poor division. Moreover, he was labeled ‘Greaser’, a so-called delinquent who wears too much hair grease and brings shame to their subsection. Unfortunately, Greasers were often targeted for Socs to jump on. People who lived in his community gave off signs of bad influences and were terrible role models. Not

Fifty-seven percent of children who have lost their parents at a young age say that they have been emotionally damaged throughout their decades of living, even through adulthood. Unfortunately, this can sort of relate to Ponyboy’s identity because when someone loses a close loved one, it can change their characteristics based on how they feel. In like manner, they can become ridden with grief or shame, and you can see that in Ponyboy. He always has thoughts about when his parents were still alive when he is always in a troubled state. A poll says that seventy-seven percent of people who lost their parents say that their lives would be much better if their parents were still alive. It seems pretty obvious that if Pony’s parent weren’t dead, he’d have a well-lived life. Finally, and lastly, time period can influence and change identity, molding their perspective as they