Violence is a key issue in S.E. Hinton's "The Outsiders," illustrating the enormous inequality in society between the Greasers and the Socs. This violence emerges from and maintains social inequalities between these groups. The Greasers, who come from the poorer, rougher part of town (East Side), frequently clash with the more rich and wealthy Socs, who come from the west side. This division fosters an environment in which violence is utilised to express anger, frustration, and an environment in which respect is sought.