The Outsiders

by

S. E. Hinton

The Blue Mustang Symbol Analysis

The Blue Mustang Symbol Icon
The blue Mustang represents the Socs wealth as well as the danger they pose to greasers. When Ponyboy or another greaser spots the Mustang, he knows trouble is coming. As the novel progresses, however, and Ponyboy comes to understand and feel compassion for the Socs, the Mustang loses some of its power to intimidate. Ponyboy actually sits inside of it when Randy and he talk about the church fire and the rumble.

The Blue Mustang Quotes in The Outsiders

The The Outsiders quotes below all refer to the symbol of The Blue Mustang. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Divided Communities Theme Icon
).
Chapter 2 Quotes
Johnny never walked by himself after that. And Johnny...now carried in his back pocket a six-inch switchblade. He'd use it, too, if he ever got jumped again.
Related Characters: Ponyboy Curtis (speaker), Johnny Cade
Related Symbols: The Blue Mustang
Page Number: 34
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 3 Quotes
It wasn't fair for the Socs to have everything. We were as good as they were; it wasn't our fault we were greasers...I felt the tension growing inside of me and I knew something had to happen or I would explode.
Related Characters: Ponyboy Curtis (speaker)
Related Symbols: The Blue Mustang
Page Number: 47
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 4 Quotes
"You know what a greaser is" Bob asked. "White trash with long hair."…
"You know what a Soc is?" I said, my voice shaking with rage. "White trash with Mustangs and madras."
Related Characters: Ponyboy Curtis (speaker), Bob Sheldon (speaker)
Related Symbols: The Blue Mustang
Page Number: 55
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire The Outsiders LitChart as a printable PDF.
The Outsiders PDF

The Blue Mustang Symbol Timeline in The Outsiders

The timeline below shows where the symbol The Blue Mustang appears in The Outsiders. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2
Divided Communities Theme Icon
Preserving Childhood Innocence Theme Icon
...but Dally was especially affected. Johnny revealed that a group of Socs in a blue Mustang threatened and beat him for no apparent reason. Johnny now carries a switchblade that he... (full context)
Chapter 3
Divided Communities Theme Icon
Just then, Marcia notices a blue Mustang coming down the street, and everyone becomes nervous, especially Johnny. The car passes slowly and... (full context)
Divided Communities Theme Icon
Empathy Theme Icon
Preserving Childhood Innocence Theme Icon
Individual Identity Theme Icon
The Mustang approaches again and this time stops beside the group. The boys in the car are... (full context)
Divided Communities Theme Icon
Preserving Childhood Innocence Theme Icon
After the Mustang drives off, Two-Bit leaves Johnny and Ponyboy in the vacant lot where the greasers hang... (full context)
Chapter 4
Divided Communities Theme Icon
Preserving Childhood Innocence Theme Icon
The park is deserted. As Johnny and Ponyboy walk and talk, the blue Mustang suddenly appears. Bob, his friend Randy, and three other Socs jump out of the car.... (full context)
Chapter 7
Divided Communities Theme Icon
Empathy Theme Icon
Self-Sacrifice and Honor Theme Icon
Individual Identity Theme Icon
...and Two-Bit go down to the Tasty Freeze to buy sodas. While there, the blue Mustang pulls into the parking lot. Randy emerges from the car and walks over. Ponyboy and... (full context)