Your question does not specify which advisors you are
referring to. Clearly, this excellent coming-of-age novel presents us with a
protagonist, Ponyboy, who has a number of different influences in his life. The fact
that he is part of a gang of Greasers, who are renowned for their violence and
delinquency, indicates that this is a very big influence on his life. However, the
actual reality of his situation is far more complicated, as Ponyboy's two brothers,
whilst they let him fight in brawls, are desperate for him to have a better future than
they themselves have been able to attain.
Consider how
Ponyboy threatens a group of Socs who he is bothered by whilst he is with Two-Bit and
Steve:
I
started towards them, holding the bottle the way Tim Shepard holds a switch--out and
away from myself, in a loose but firm hold. I guess they knew I meant business, because
they got into their car and drove
off.
This sight of Ponyboy
threatening a group of Socs in a very convincing manner concerns Two-Bit deeply, as he
says, "You're not like the rest of us and don't try to be..." However, as it quickly
becomes clear, when Ponyboy picks up the broken glass because he doesn't want anyone to
get a puncture, this is just an act that Ponyboy adopts out of necessity. Those members
of his "family" who are involved in gang violence actually want Ponyboy to have a better
future, and that is the prevailing influence that comes to bear on Ponyboy, in spite of
appearances that might suggest he is sinking into the same cycle of petty crime and
delinquency as his friends.
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