The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

1. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

2. Author

3. S.E.Hinton S.E. stands for Susan Eloise Hinton’s publishers worried her work would not be respected coming from a woman, since it dealt with male characters and violent conflicts Early picture of Hinton

4. S.E.Hinton Created the gender-neutral author name She began The Outsides at the age of fifteen

5. Background Information

6. Background of The Outsiders Date of Publication Inspiration Major Conflicts (person v. society, person v. person, person v. self) 1967 Hinton was frustrated with social divisions within her high school and a lack of realistic fiction for high school students The greasers, a group of low-class youths, battle the Socs (pronounced “soches,”) a group of privileged rich kids, who live on the West Side

7. Background, Cont’d The Outsiders features many references to the 1960s: Elvis, Beatles, etc. Examined universal urges to form cliques, compete and unite with similar groups—embrace of a sub-culture The greasers are tough and rough, but also vulnerable and full of emotion A poster from the hit film

8. Point of View Narrator and Protagonist Antagonist First Person Ponyboy Social Groups Literary Focus

9. Literary Focus Genre Setting (TIME) Setting (PLACE) Tone Young-Adult Fiction Mid-1960s Tulsa, Oklahoma (though never disclosed in the story, it’s revealed in another story by Hinton, with some of the same characters, titled That Was Then, This is Now) Youthful, rebellious, simplistic, melodramatic

10. Literary Focus, CONT’D Themes Rich vs. Poor Class Differences Transcending Social Divisions Human Struggles and Fears Honor and Loyalty One’s Ability to Sacrifice Male-Female Interactions Male Bonding Human embrace and loathing of violence Although they present a tough exterior, the greasers feel emotion and show a great deal of love for their “gang” brothers

11. Symbols Cars Cars represent the Socs’ power and the Greasers’ vulnerability Greasers are physically vulnerable and must work on the cars of the rich, wealthy Socs The greasers work on the nice cars; the socs drive them

12. Symbols Greaser Hair Rebellion against society Cannot afford physical items to make them stand out (ie cars), must use their hair to stand out Most men in society during the 1960s wore their hair short A few famous people have sported the greaser look

13. Characters

14. Characters Ponyboy Curtis Narrator and protagonist Different from the rest of the greasers; has interests in literature and school Reliable and observant—a “wallflower” Rocky home life and relationship with older brother, Darry

15. Darrell “Darry” Curtis Ponyboy’s oldest brother Raised his brothers after the death of their parents in a car crash Works two jobs Strong, athletic, and intelligent Nicknamed “Superman” Embodiment of sacrifice for family

16. Dallas “Dally” Winston Tim Shepard The toughest hood in Ponboy’s group A hardened teen who used to run gangs in New York Does not put grease in his hair. A tragic hero? Leader of another group of greasers

17. Sodapop Curtis Cherry and Marcia Attractive older brother of Ponyboy Possibly the “deepest” but presents as “surface” character Soc girls who personify themes for the greasers Offer a different perspective on society; rep. optimism? Change? Hope?

18. Randy Adderson Johnny Cade Soc who creates a foil to greasers—offers a new perspective on upper-class society The most redeeming soc character? Parents are abusive Nervous and sensitive Greasers are his family more than his parents Protected by the gang

19. Two-Bit Mathews The “typical” joker of Ponyboy’s group Offers a fatalist nature to the novel—pay attention to not only his jokes, but the subjects that he jokes about…is it surface, or is there something real and human under his jokester façade? ...Is it a façade?

20. Steve Randle Sodapop’s best friend Talent of stealing hub caps Cocky, aware of his placement in society, and smart This guy might look a little familiar