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This portfolio has helped me explore myself and see what I can write about. My theme is growing up. The slam poem shows how when you grow up you begin to realize things that have been happening around you. The essay also shows us how Ponyboy and his gang grew up.

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I dedicate these words to my mother, the most important person in my life. Your smile brightens my entire world, and your support makes everything better.  I'm grateful that you are my best friend, my rock, and my supporter. More than all the stars in the sky, I love you!

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Slam Poem

Everyone is welcome here.

But is that true?

When we walk in they act like we’re brand new.

Not only at this place,

But to this county.

We never feel welcome, but all they say is

SORRY!

It’s not like they mean it,

But we think it’s true.

They start acting weird out of the blue

The immigrant, the outsider, they group.

My roots, my story, yet, cannot be harmed.

Because I am a collage of cultures unknown,

My ancestry, my strength, and a strong story.

They label me lazy, entitled, and weak,

yet they don't recognize the struggles I experienced.

Yes, I am different, but my struggles do not define me.

My perseverance, my strength, a reminder to life.

Society's murmurs, echoing and taunting.

Is everyone welcome here?

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In "The Outsiders" by S.E. In Hinton's book, she explores the topic of losing one's innocence using the experiences of Ponyboy Curtis and his group of Greasers. Through the setting of Oklahoman, gang conflict and social class difficulties in the 1960s, the story explores the painful truths of maturing too quickly and unavoidable loss of youth. Ponyboy and his gang are forced to face violence, death, and the harsh realities of adulthood as the story develops, which challenges their ideas of who they are and where they fit into society. The book explores how innocence is often given up in situations of hardship and the battle to maintain one's identity in an unfair world through the experiences of Ponyboy.

The fact that Ponyboy's pal Johnny Cade feels obligated to protect himself and mortally wounded Soc Bob Sheldon is one important scene that highlights the loss of innocence. As the most naive and defenseless person in the group, Johnny experiences a profound awakening as a result of this incident. Johnny is abruptly thrown into a life-or-death situation and forced to face the terrible truth of violence and its effects. His journey towards maturity begins at this crucial juncture as he wrestles with the complicated moral implications of his choices and how they affect both himself and others.

Ponyboy also experiences a significant shift in his worldview as he makes his way through a world of gang conflict and social injustice. Ponyboy experienced difficulty and adversity growing up as a Greaser, but he doesn't completely understand the extent of the brutality and discrimination that influence society until he becomes caught up in the fight between the Greasers and the Socs. Through his adventures, Ponyboy loses his innocence and idealistic views as he discovers that the world is far more cruel and complicated than he had previously thought. He observes directly the sharp contrast between the wealthy Socs and poor Greasers, coming to the conclusion that stereotypes and labels from society determine a person's destiny independent of their own abilities. Furthering his grasp of the vulnerability of life and discrimination that affect their society, Ponyboy also faces the hard truth of loss and mortality as he grieves the deaths of Johnny and Dallas Winston. Ponyboy grows both mentally and emotionally as a result of these encounters, and he also gets a fresh outlook on the world and his role in it.

Furthermore, Ponyboy's relationship with Darry not only helps him understand the responsibilities of adulthood, but it also gives him a better knowledge of family, love, and loyalty. Despite their early differences, Ponyboy comes to see Darry as more than simply an intimidating authority figure, but as a committed brother who has taken on the task of caring for their family following the death of their parents. Ponyboy recognizes the intensity of Darry's love and the responsibilities of his duties after witnessing his dedication and sacrifices, such as giving up his dreams to provide for them. This understanding represents an important turning point for Ponyboy, as he learns to realize and value the sacrifices made for him, emphasizing the theme of losing  as he matures and gains a deeper understanding of the complexities of life.

In conclusion, Ponyboy Curtis and his gang of Greasers' experiences are used in "The Outsiders" to examine the issue of losing innocence. The work effectively portrays the difficult transition from childhood innocence to adult understanding, from Johnny's aggressive ways to Ponyboy's disillusionment with the world around him. Ponyboy and his buddies discover through their hardships that growing up inevitably involves losing one's innocence and that real maturity is faced and accepted in the complex world they live in.

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Working on my L.L portfolio project has been an enjoyable task for me this semester. It gave me the freedom to read a wide range of literary works that resonated to me and let me get deeper into the themes, characters, and literary devices. My ability to think critically, evaluate literature, and effectively communicate my ideas in writing and presentations has all improved as a result of this work. I have gained a deeper appreciation for literature as well as useful abilities that will help me both personally and academically in the future because of this experience.Writing reflective essays for my L.L. a portfolio with the theme of growing up feels like an adventure of self-awareness and reflection. My thoughts and inspiration for this genre came from the outsiders,  who tackled issues of growth and transformation. While I found it challenging to strike a balance between personal reflection and broader thematic exploration, I discovered ease in tapping into my memories and emotions, allowing for authentic storytelling.  Using literary tropes like metaphor, symbolism, and imagery, I tried to make my story more profound and powerful by relating Ponyboy's experiences of personal development to the broader human experience as it is represented in literature.