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Sravya Narahari
Mrs. Henry
ELA/Reading 3/5
8 December 2016
The Outsiders Psychological Criticism Essay
Psychology is the endlessly fascinating science of the human mind and behavior... In The
Outsiders by S.E. Hilton psychological criticism is a tool used to enhance ones understanding
and appreciation of literature. The behavior of complex characters can be understood through
Maslows Hierarchy of Needs. Motivation is the result of a persons attempt at fulfilling basic
and psychological needs including safety, belongingness, esteem, and self-actualization. In S.E.
Hiltons novel, The Outsiders, Johnny can best be analyzed through Maslows Hierarchy of
Needs, found in physiological criticism, to better understand his actions and motives overtime.
Throughout ones journey of knowledge, basic needs including safety and belongingness need
to be achieved, which is included in Maslows theory, to reach full potential. Johnnys safety is
extremely dependent on the gang, as he knows they will back him up, unlike him family. Johnny
follows the gang around like a puppy and participates in all activates they do. At the beginning of
the novel Johnny was defenseless, he needed the gang, as they gave him a sense of protection.
Dallas scowled for a second. If it had been me, or Two-Bit, or Soda or Steve, or anyone but
Johnny, Dally would have flattened him without a moments hesitation (24). Since Johnny was
small and poor he was an easy target, especially to the Socs, so the gang gave him extra safety
and protection. Dally especially created him with special care as if Johnny was a lost puppy.
Although Johnny doesnt get a sense of safety while at home, his safety needs are fulfilled
through the gang. In addition, to the stage of safety one also needs love and belongingness to

reach full potential. Johnnys family doesnt seem to care enough for him, as his father is abusive
and his mother is ignorant. He wouldnt have had known what love and care was without the
gang, especially Dally. Although Johnny and Dally are poles apart, they have no one expect each
other. -He was the gangs pet, everyones kid brother. His father was always beating him up, and
his mother ignored himhe would have run away a million times if we hadnt been there. If it
hasnt been for the gang, Johnny would never have known what love and affection are (12). The
encouragement provided to Johnny by the gang leads him to trust them and believe he is with the
gang. The gang provides Johnny with protection to make him feel more safe and secure. After his
safety needs were fulfilled, he began to feel more comfortable and confident, creating friendships
and intimate relationships, building on his psychological needs. All in All, Johnny has security
and love from the gang which helps him further build on esteem and self-actualization.
Once one gains physical needs through difficult stages, one begins to build esteem; feeling of
accomplishment and eventually achieving ones full potential. Later in the novel Johnny saved
children from a church fire, he was admired and appreciated by many for his heroic act. Being
praised by many built his self-esteem and caused a feeling of accomplishment within himself.
Their lives are worth more than mine, they have more to live for, some of the parents came by
to thank me and I know it was worth it (154). Johnny felt honored to have helped those kids,
though it led to his death, he knew that he made the right decision. His surety in his choice and
his feeling of accomplishment lead him to feel self-confident. Once Johnny reached his basic and
psychological needs, he eventually self-actualization, where he reaches his fullest potential for
his age. Once one receives physical and then emotional needs, ultimately one reaches selfactualization. Before leaving Johnny gives Ponyboy advice on how to mature and grow using the
personal experiences from his short-lived life. Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold (215).

Abraham Maslows Hierarchy of Needs proposes that self-actualization could be measured

through extreme occurrences. While gaining maturity as events occurred, Johnnys fullest
potential for his age is reached at his death, an extreme occurrence. If it hadnt been for Johnnys
short-lived life, he might have reached the point of self-actualization so early on.
In the final analysis, Hiltons novel The Outsiders includes Johnny Cades character who is
molded in way that can best be analyzed through Maslows Hierarchy of Needs, found in
psychological criticism, through his action and motives overtime. At the beginning of the novel
he felt he wasn't worth anything since his parents neglected him and his situation at home. He
felt noticeably weaker, physically and mentally compared to the gang. With the protection and
friendships, he gained through the gang, he builds on his self-confidence. Later Johnny realizes
hes not so bad after all, he knows his full potential, and he doesn't give up on himself. He kept
working on becoming a better person by making up for his mistakes. The events that occurred
throughout the novel led him to become a more mature human being. Johnny Cades actions
demonstrate that one needs to fulfill basic needs, security, love and esteem and face conflicts in
order to reach their full potential.

Works Cited

Gillespie, Tim. Doing Literary Criticism: Helping Students Engage with Challenging Texts.
Portland, ME.: Stenhouse, 2010. Accessed 12 December 2016.
Hinton, S. E. The Outsiders. New York: Viking, 1967. Print.