The Outsider is a 1951 short film by Young America Films. We follow Susan Jane, the school outcast, who is always out of sync with the others, and is ignored in spite of being a good student.
Her classmates suddenly become aware that she feels rejected, and ponder their role in this. When they invite her to a party, she is unsure of how to react.
It can be seen here
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The short provides examples of the following tropes:
- Creepy Monotone: The narrator's voice wouldn't be out of place in a horror film.
- Individuality Is Illegal: At a restaurant, Susan Jane is portrayed as "out of step" simply for ordering something different from her classmates.
- Never My Fault: Susan Jane's classmates continually ignore her or gossip about her, while seeming genuinely clueless as to why she doesn't feel accepted.
- Protagonist-Centered Morality: Susan Jane is portrayed as jumping to conclusions when she thinks a pair of classmates were talking about her. It turns out they were badmouthing someone else, which the short doesn't seem too concerned about because it doesn't affect the main character.
- Second-Person Narration: The narrator addresses Susan Jane directly.
- Shrinking Violet: Susan Jane is shy and unwilling to speak up for herself.
