The document discusses symbolism in literature and identifies several symbols in the novel The Outsiders. It explains that symbols represent something on both a literal and symbolic level. Some of the key symbols discussed in the novel are the Greasers representing the lower class, the blue Mustang representing the upper class Socs, smoking representing fitting in with the Greaser group, the drive-in movie theater representing a place where the Greasers and Socs could coexist, the horse representing innocence, and the church representing a safe haven.

1. Symbolism in The Outsiders

12. The drive in movie theatre was a place where the Greasers and the Socs shared the same turf. Both social groups enjoyed the theatre together. It was a place where they could co-exist.

13. The horse represents innocence. Soda’s horse, Mickey Mouse, connects the boys to youth. Soda enjoyed the horse as a young boy. When the horse was sold, Soda was devastated. He shared a special bond with the horse that he could not again duplicate.