That was then, this is now by S.E. Hinton is a classic story on brotherhood. This story revolves around two close friends, whose worlds are changing. With the changing worlds, their lives are taking a different turn also. In the first half of the book, Hinton shows brotherhood, passion, love, affection, and friendship between these two characters—Mark and Bryon. I think the author is showing the first part of the book as the past of these characters that is going to change in the next half of the book. This is my predication, because of what is happening inside the lives of each protagonist. While Bryon is after his love (Cathy), Mark is repeatedly risking his life by reaching into what is forbidden. They started out as two people, whose day began with love, and ended similarly. Now, their life is getting complicated and nothing is left similar. It is really important for people to know what is occurring in the life of each other to maintain a good relationship. If that is absent, that is where the gap begins. When the cops take Mark for driving off with the principal’s car, Terry comes and notifies Bryon. Bryon had told Mark several times to quit attempting illegal things, but Mark never stopped. This scene shows the imbalanced opinions and thoughts of these two friends.
As this story goes on, an author uncovering the message she wants to give to its readers. The message is “things don’t stay the same, everything has to change with time.” From atmosphere, fashion, technology to people themselves. Take a real-life example of today. It used to be people merely sending letter for long-distance communication, but now it is phone, text, email, and more for easier and quicker communication. This is an example of a positive change. A negative change might be increasing air pollution from all the transportation vehicles: cars, airplanes, buses, and trains. This is a negative change. Coming to the book, Mark and Bryon realize the change in their lives, when Mark is resting after a fight. They both talk to each other about their past, which they spent together, and ask themselves why this is changing. Bryon concludes the conversation by saying ‘“The difference is,’ I said evenly, ‘that was then, and this is now”’ (Hinton 69). The message to readers is things change and so do people.
