That Was Then, This Is Now discussion

In this book, there is a lot of dialogue. The dialogue helps us as readers discover what kind of character they are. For example, I think the dialogue between Bryon and Mark lets us learn what the they are like and what their lives are like.

Through the dialogue we can discover that Mark and Bryon do not have much money. they are hoods.

I agree - Also, the tone in which the characters talk also influences the reader's opinion on the characters. We know that these characters are poor but tough because they talk in that way as well.

I agree.

I feel like the guy that got beat-up has a weak tone.

Through the dialogue with different characters, we can discover new and different things through each character discussion.

I've never read the book, but I'm thinking about reading it. What are the characters names?

Yep - and how they REACT when other characters talk to them also helps the reader learn about the characters.

The story really reminds me of "The Outsiders"

The characters names are Bryon Mark. There are other people that they meet but they are not big characters

It's a similar style to "The Outsiders"

There is a flashback in this book where Mike is saving the girl from harassment. Because he talked back and stood up to his friends and then later on even comforted the girl, telling her that he wasn't going to hurt her, the reader sees even more that Mike is a warm character due to his dialogue, as well as his actions.

Also, many of the boys in the story jump kids. We found some of this out through with a kid named Mike. he tells mark and Bryon about his experience. The rest of his gang was harassing a black girl. They were calling her names, and threatening and scaring her and intimidating her. While this was happening, Mike was watching this happen in disgust. He finally spoke up. He told them to stop and offered to help. Even though he knew that the rest of the gang wouldn't be happy with it, he decided to do the right thing. Through this circumstance of dialogue we also can discover and infer that Mike is not like the rest of them and is more caring than the rest of the "hoods".

Dani I am so sry I spoiled the book for you and IOU so much lol :)

It's not ok Liz jkjk

I think that the way Cathy says nice things to everyone really brings out her nice qualities. She doesn't like Mark, but yet, she isn't rude to him.

On the other hand, Mark despises Cathy, and unlike her, he completely shows it. He is obnoxious and impolite to her.

The dialogue between any 2 characters (mark and bryon is particular) help to reveal the inner and outer feelings within them. Like in the beginning of the book, you find out that mark is more like a thief and bryon does not like to steal. Just by them saying this, it helps us find out about them

I agree

And in 'The Outsiders', Ponyboy seems like a good character. At the beginning of 'That was Then, This is Now', Ponyboy is a character that Bryon thinks is "stealing Mark" from him.

Mark being a thief and a bad guy... it gets him into trouble later on in the book :)

The way Mark describes cathy and what he says about her shows clearly that Mark doesn't like her but Cathy doesn't show it very much.

In all stories, dialogue is the most important part. If there was no dialogue than there would be no plot, and no conflict. So (i'm not that far in) I can bet that most of the plot and or conflict revolves around dialogue, therefor it is the most important part in a (and this) story.

I agree, and I think that S.E. Hinton is really good at making the dialogue sound really casual. Also, the Greasers talk in a certain tone, and the author does a great job bringing that out

Yes i think that the dialogue in the book is extremely helpful and plays a large role in the plot and story.

Throughout the book, you can see the differences between the Greasers and Socs using dialogue. The Greasers talk rough and harsh to even their own gang, but the Socs don't have that sharp quality that the Greasers have.

On the last two pages, the dialogue is really sad, and what Mark says to Bryon is really, really intense.

Yes also, the dialogue between the greasers and socs lets the reader discover new things about both sides.

The dialogue between the Greasers and Socs can also be seen in "The Outsiders"

don't spoil i'm not there yet

I think that in books, the main way you can see a character's personality is by seeing what they say and how they say it to different characters. In 'That Was Then, This Is Now', characters like Cathy and M&M can be seen as kind and - in some ways - weak, because they are nice and don't always show it when they don't like someone. On the other hand, characters like Mark and Angela may seem vicious and harsh, because they always show when they don't like something, and are honest straight-out.

I agree

I don't know who Cathy is, but i think this is true. The different way the characters talk and the tone and attitude of them gives them a different taste and each of them has a diff personality. Each one very different and very alike t the same time.