Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Compare and Contrast Ponyboy and Jane

Author’s note: This essay is about comparing two different characters from two different novels. Ponyboy Curtis from the Outsiders, and Jane from Just Jane.

How are characters so alike in two completely different stories? In many ways. As in their personalities, looks, age, how they view people, family situations, friends ect. In this case, Jane from "Just Jane" and Ponyboy Curtis from "The Outsiders" are very alike, but as well different in so many ways. The reasons are their parents both died. A difference is Jane is an only child, and Ponyboy has two brothers. Although these novels are so different, it’s amazing how characters can be the same with completely different backgrounds.

First of all, Ponyboy is a poor kid practically living on the streets among his family. Ponyboy’s family isn’t what you would expect, though. His parents died in a car crash forcing his older brother Darry to take care of him, and his other brother Sodapop. The three brothers are in a gang called the Greasers and have many supportive friends that also are in tough situations just like the Curtis brothers. Jane has a lot in common. Her parents had died as well, at a young age, and moves to live with her family. Of course not everything is the same, like Jane is rich, and has related family unlike Ponyboy the opposite.

The differences between these two characters are just about as much as the similarities. They are different because Jane has related family to rely on, and doesn’t live on the streets. In fact she is treated like royalty to her family and friends. On the other hand, Ponyboy is treated very poorly causing him to have wrong actions and leaving town with his friend Johnny.


Although they have differences their similarities are the same amount as well. Something they have in common is having no parents. Jane was an orphan and Ponyboy was living with his brothers. Not a lot of people know what it’s like to have both of their parents dead so I think that’s a major thing they have in common. If I knew both of them in person I would have a feeling their personalities would be alike just because of the things they say, other than the fact Jane is a little brat, and Ponyboy is very respectful.


When there is a difference, there is always a similarity. These novels "Just Jane" by William Lavender and "The Outsiders" by S.E Hinton are perfect examples of how two totally different people can be alike in just as many ways.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Just Jane

Author’s note: This is an essay on Point of View based on the book “Just Jane” I am writing about Jane’s point of view when she has to leave England to come to America as an orphan to live with her extended family.



“You must be Miss Prentice lately arrived from England.” This quote is found on page sixteen of Just Jane by William Lavender said by Jane’s uncle. This sentence was to Jane, the main character. She has just moved to America from England, and is very new on how things work. While in England, she was unfortunately an orphan and has come to America to live with her extended family so they can take care of her. All of her family thinks she is so proper and confused they called her “Lady Jane” but she hated it because it made her sound different, and all she wanted was to be a normal kid.

First of all, in order to be a normal kid she has to start completely over in a new place, with new people- a fresh start, which means getting to know all of her family and new friends, but as a young girl, this could be a struggle because she is so innocent. But in the beginning of the book is when she loses her innocence. If you were Jane you would feel awkward but if you were her uncle you would be excited to have someone as fancy as Jane among them. Jane gets irritated when everybody she knows from America calls her “Lady Jane”

Although her family believed she like being treated like royalty, she actually hated it. Seeing this point of view from one side of the story can really change a reader’s perspective of all the characters, and see what it’s like to see through their eyes.