Or I could have gotten one of the gang to come along, one of the four boys Darry and Soda and I have grown up with and consider family. We’re almost as close as brothers; when you grow up in a tight-knit neighborhood like ours you get to know each other real well.

Which universal theme can be found within this excerpt?

Adults do not understand teenagers.
The people we love can hurt us most.
Belonging to a group provides security.
Growing up means doing hard things.

1 answer

The universal theme that can be found within this excerpt is Belonging to a group provides security. The passage emphasizes the deep connections and sense of family that the characters feel with each other, highlighting the importance of their relationships and the security that comes from belonging to a close-knit community.