The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton Mrs. Cole OMMS

About the Author Susan Eloise Hinton was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has always enjoyed reading but wasn't satisfied with the literature that was being written for young adults, which influenced her to write novels like The Outsiders.

About the Author That book, her first novel, was published in 1967 by Viking. Hinton was only 17 years old. Since her narrator was a boy, Hinton's publishers suggested that she publish under the name of S. E. Hinton; they feared their readers wouldn't respect a "macho" story written by a woman.

Hinton says today, "I don't mind having two identities; in fact, I like keeping the writer part separate in some ways. And since my alter ego is clearly a 15-year-old boy, having an authorial self (pen name) that doesn't suggest a gender is just fine with me."

Once published, The Outsiders gave her a lot of publicity and fame, and also a lot of pressure. S.E. Hinton was becoming known as "The Voice of the Youth" among other titles. This kind of pressure and publicity resulted in a 3 year long writer's block.

Her boyfriend (and now, her husband),who had gotten sick of her being depressed all the time, eventually broke this block. He made her write 2 pages a day if she wanted to go anywhere. This eventually led to publication of That Was Then, This Is Now in 1971.

Hinton’s books include: The Outsiders That was Then, This is Now Rumble Fish Tex Taming The Star Runner

The Outsiders Setting: Tulsa, Oklahoma during the 1960s Point of View: 1st person narrative from Ponyboy’s perspective

The Greasers vs. The Socs Cast of Characters The Greasers vs. The Socs

Greasers Ponyboy Curtis – 14 yr. old protagonist & narrator Darrell Curtis – a.k.a. “Darry;” Ponyboy’s oldest brother Sodapop Curtis – the middle Curtis boy; has good looks & charm

Greasers Two-Bit Matthews – (Keith) joker of the group Steve Randle – Soda’s best friend Dally Winston – the toughest “hood” in the group Johnny Cade – 16 yrs. old; the heart of the Greasers

Socs Cherry Valance – Bob’s girlfriend; a cheerleader Ponyboy meets at the movies Marcia – Cherry’s friend & Randy’s girlfriend Randy Adderson – Marcia’s boyfriend and Bob’s best friend Bob Sheldon – Cherry’s boyfriend; beats up Johnny b/f book begins

Supporting Characters Tim Shepard– leader of another band of greasers Curly Shepard – Tim’s brother Jerry Wood – Adult who helps (in a way) Ponyboy & Johnny Paul Holden – Soc who was Darry’s friend and teammate in high school Mr. Syme – Ponyboy’s English Teacher

Themes, Motifs, & Symbols Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor Honor Among the Lawless The Importance of Friendship  Appearance vs. Reality Remember, themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work.

Themes, Motifs, & Symbols Motifs: recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes. Motifs in The Outsiders: Literature Eye Shape & Color Ponyboy’s Losses of Consciousness

Themes, Motifs, & Symbols Two-Bit’s Switchblade Cars Bob’s Rings Greaser Hair Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.