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.

Tulsa , Oklahoma USA

Tulsa , Oklahoma

Guys’ 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

Girls’ Fashions

Music

Movies

Actors Paul Newman John Wayne Doris Day Liz Taylor Sidney Poitier Jane Fonda Jerry Lewis

Technology

Phones for six year olds Now

Phones for six year olds Then…

Phones when my grandparents were kids

BASIC Programming Language First Commercial Satellite First LED lights Direct Distance Dialing

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.

T.V. 1966 Get Smart Batman The Andy Griffith The Monkees Show I Dream of Jeannie Get Smart Batman The Andy Griffith Show The Monkees Ponderosa Star Trek

Sports…just sayin’

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?