Final answer:
The outsider status of Frank Lucas is marked by his racial background and ambition to rise in a predominantly white-led criminal underworld, whereas Richie Roberts is marginalized due to his integrity amidst a corrupt police force. Their experiences as outsiders shape their narratives and define their roles within the film 'American Gangster.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The outsider status of the characters Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts is a defining feature in the film "American Gangster." For Frank Lucas, his outsider status is primarily due to his position as a black man leading a criminal empire in a predominantly white-controlled industry during the 1970s. In addition, being from the South and attempting to seize control from the established Mafia families in New York further cements his ostracization. Lucas crafts a new identity for himself as a criminal entrepreneur, using his anonymity and being underestimated to his advantage.
On the other hand, Richie Roberts' outsider status manifests itself through his professional integrity and honesty in a police force riddled with corruption. Despite being on the right side of the law, Robert's refusal to conform to the unspoken rules of accepting bribes and turning a blind eye to his colleagues' misconduct alienates him from his peers and makes him a social pariah within the force. Different from Lucas, Roberts' ostracization is a direct consequence of his moral stance, which contrasts sharply with the compromised ethics of his fellow law enforcement officers.
Their respective statuses as outsiders define their character arcs and provide a framework for the narrative. Both characters, despite being on opposite sides of the law, are set apart from their environments by characteristics that make them unique and, in a sense, isolated.