Novel: That Was Then, This Is Now

Introduction
"That Was Then, This Is Now" is a coming-of-age novel written by S. E. Hinton and released in 1971. Set in the same universe as "The Outsiders", the novel occurs in the very same neighborhood and follows the lives of two buddies, Mark and Bryon, who are navigating the difficulties of adolescence and their altering relationship in the unstable 1960s.

Setting and Main Characters
The story occurs in a low-income, working-class community occupied by teenagers who have actually formed close-knit gangs for protection and companionship. The protagonist, Bryon Douglas, is a sixteen-year-old high school student living with his single mom and his buddy, Mark, whose moms and dads have died. Bryon and Mark have an almost brotherly bond and are practically inseparable. Other essential characters in the novel consist of M&M, a mild, minor hippie; Cathy, M&M's older sis, and Bryon's love interest; and Charlie, the owner of a local bar who acts as a coach to Bryon and Mark.

Plot
The story opens with Bryon and Mark hitching a ride to their preferred bar, where they encounter an older teenager called Mike Chambers, who has been seriously beaten for safeguarding a black lady from a group of racist bullies. This event sets the tone for the book's expedition of social issues such as racism, violence, and social inequality.

As the story progresses, Bryon's relationship with Cathy deepens, causing stress with Mark, who feels left out and deserted. Bryon also becomes progressively conscious of the effects of their reckless habits, the hardship they reside in, and the course their lives seem to be taking. While Bryon begins to question his actions and decisions, Mark continues to embrace their delinquent way of life.

A substantial juncture happens when M&M, overwhelmed by the role of school and abusive home life, escapes. After a comprehensive search, Bryon and his pals find M&M in a deserted home where he has actually taken drugs and suffered a bad trip. Although M&M is discovered and returned house, he is forever changed by the experience, and their group is shaken.

As time goes on, Bryon starts to distance himself from Mark in an attempt to end up being a more accountable and fully grown grownup. This leads to a rift in between the two good friends, who had actually when been inseparable. Bryon takes a task at a regional supermarket, where he saves a young man from dying of a drug overdose. This experience and working under the guidance of his kind-hearted employer, Mr. Carlson, further pushes Bryon towards self-improvement and duty.

Climax and Conclusion
The climax of the unique occurs when Bryon discovers that Mark has actually been selling drugs to support their household, prompting a heated fight. In a moment of psychological distress, Bryon turns Mark into the police, successfully ending their relationship and altering their futures forever.

The unique ends with a now older and more fully grown Bryon going to Mark in jail. The two have a tense discussion, and it becomes clear that their bond is irreparably broken. Mark declares his hatred for Bryon, and Bryon leaves ravaged by the changes in their relationship and lives.

Themes
"That Was Then, This Is Now" checks out styles of relationship, specific growth, and duty. The unique stresses the ways in which people grow and change, and how these transformations might position a pressure on their relationships. Additionally, it raises moral concerns about loyalty, duty, and the repercussions of making challenging options that can change the course of one's life. Through the experiences of Bryon and Mark, Hinton efficiently depicts the obstacles and intricacies of adolescence and the painful reality of wandering away from youth relationships.