The world of The Outsiders 1960’s America The world of The Outsiders

General Setting The Outsiders presumably takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where S.E. Hinton grew up. We mostly see the east side of the city, from the perspective of the Greasers.

Fashion Madras Shirts Hair Grease During the time period of the novel, Soc “types” would wear madras shirts and khakis. You can see an example of typical clothing below. Madras Shirts James Dean embodied the cultivated Greaser image. Leather jacket, jeans, white t-shirt and boots were typical of boys who emulated the free and uncontrolled lifestyle Dean seemed to live. Hair Grease

Music and Film Here are some images of popular artists and movies. The Beatles Elvis Presley Beach movies Paul Newman The Beach Boys

Music Beatles – http://youtu.be/iim6s8Ea_bE http://youtu.be/3_I8RCUpe-c Elvis Presley - http://youtu.be/cCEDeloINXg http://youtu.be/olqe-JnHzjU Chubby Checker - http://youtu.be/DZAtzcthSxM The Everly Brothers – http://youtu.be/YKn6h2x5IcY http://youtu.be/xbLuWciXFcM Frank Sinatra - http://youtu.be/Aht9hcDFyVw

Movies The Alamo http://youtu.be/Agpg2GYWcpc http://youtu.be/6N8pVVZUqeY The Time Machine http://youtu.be/BpDS1btXo_E The Magnificent Seven http://youtu.be/gvQXctChBpI http://youtu.be/t0vqQjaXLOU Psycho

Drive-ins Watching movies at the drive-in theatre was a popular thing to do, especially for teenagers. The car culture was a big part of society. You’ll notice that cars are often mentioned in the novel.

Cars Here are two cars and a gas station that are mentioned in the novel. Chevy Corvair 1965 Ford Mustang DX Gas Station

Drive-in Restaurants These restaurants were a typical place to take a date. They were also where gangs hung out.

The American Dream Happiness for the characters of The Outsiders was a girl, a car, some money, a strong group of friends, and probably an ice-cold bottle of soda. How much has changed?

Language in 1960s A Gas – a lot of fun All show and no go – referenced to a car that had all the pretty chrome goodies, but wouldn’t get out of its own way. Bad - awesome

Language in 1960s Bag – to steal. Example: Who bagged my towel?; also see Score Also; “What’s your bag” meaning what’s your problem or where are you coming from. Blitzed – drunk Cruising – driving up and down the same street looking for races, girls, guys, etc.

Language in 1960s Deuce – a 1932 Ford. As in, “She’s my Little Deuce Coupe, you don’t know what I got”. Pad – someone’s house. Example: There wasn’t much to do so we all hung out at John’s pad, drank Cokes and listened to records. Thongs – in the 60’s, thongs were something you wore on your feet

News Headlines from 1960s Kennedy Wins Presidency, Democrats Sweep Congress Two White Public Schools are the First to Integrate Russian Astronaut Yuri Gayarin First Man in Space Circles Globe East Germans Build Berlin Wall, Tensions Rise Yo-Yos Become National Craze