By S.E Hinton

 Write down the following:  Provide your own definition for identity.  What is your personal identity?  What does it mean to be an outsider? …now share your answers with the class. (think of the importance of identity and groups as we read the novel!)

 S.E Hinton was still in high school when she wrote ‘The Outsiders’  It was first published in 1967  It became an immediate sensation and is considered the best-selling young adult novel of all time  Hinton draws on her own experiences at high school in Oklahoma

 This novel deals with the changes that youth experience during adolescence.  Some of the themes that appear throughout the novel:  Identity  Individual vs. group  Heroism  Innocence  Experience  Family  Influence

 The novel is set in It is based on Hinton’s hometown – Tulsa Oklahoma.  We don’t know this from the novel, only from research  The novel is vague which makes it relevant to people in other places and other times  The Outsiders centres on the violent rivalry between two high school social groups: popular, well-to-do students and poor, and the unpopular students who are considered “lower class.”  The confrontations between the snobbish “Socs” (short for “socials” and pronounced SOSH-es) and the rebellious “greasers” drive the action.

Bob Dylan

 Ponyboy Curtis: Protagonist, Greaser  Darrel "Darry" Curtis: The oldest brother, gave up a promising football career to take care of his brothers after their parents died in a car crash.  Sodapop Curtis: Brother of Ponyboy and Darrel, member of Greasers  Two-Bit Mathews: A Greaser, known for his switchblade  Steve Randle: Friends with Sodapop, thinks Ponyboy is annoying  Dallas “Dally” Winston: Toughest Greaser  Johnny Cade: Ponyboy's best friend  Sandy: Sodapops girlfriend  Cherry Valance: Soc girl, dating Bob  Marcia: Friend of Cherry  Bob Sheldon: A Soc, dies in fight  Paul Holden: Soc who challenges Darrel  Jerry Wood: A man that looks down on the gangs, despite Johnny and Ponyboy saving the children from the burning church.  Tim Shepard: Leader of a different group of Greasers, friend of Dallas  Curly Shepard: Tim's tough younger brother, has a criminal record at the age of 15  Mr. Syme: Ponyboy's English teacher

GREASERSSOCS PoorRich Live on the east side of townLive on the west side Long, greasy hairShort, neat hair