S.E.Hinton

S.E. stands for Susan Eloise Hinton’s publishers worried that her work, which dealt with male characters and violent conflicts, would not be respected because it was written by a woman. Thus, she published The Outsiders using a pen name, her initials.

Background Information

–Date of Publication –Inspiration –Major Conflict in the novel 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, a group of privileged rich kids, who live on the West Side

Background Continued… The Outsiders features many references to the 1960s: Elvis, Beatles, Madras, etc. Examined universal urges to form cliques, compete and unite with similar groups The Greasers are tough and rough, but also vulnerability and full of emotion. The reader will see both of these sides. A poster from the hit film

Literary Focus  Point of View  First Person  Narrator and Protagonist  Ponyboy  Antagonist  Social Groups: the conflicts between the Greasers and the Socs and the results of these conflicts  Setting (time)  Mid 1960’s  Setting (place)  Tulsa, Oklahoma  Tone  Youthful, rebellious, simplistic, melodramatic

Themes Class Differences –Rich vs. Poor Transcending Social Divisions Man’s Struggles and Fears Honor and Loyalty Man’s Ability to Sacrifice Male-Female Interactions Male Bonding Untraditional “family” Although they present a tough exterior, the greasers feel emotion and show a great deal of love for their “gang” brothers

Symbols: Cars Cars represent the Socs’ wealth and power; something the Greasers can only dream about The greasers work on the nice cars; the Socs drive them

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

Brief Overview

Author’s Synopsis According to Ponyboy, there are two kinds of people in the world: greasers and socs. A soc (short for "social") has money, can get away with just about anything, and has an attitude longer than a limousine. A greaser, on the other hand, always lives on the outside and needs to watch his back. Ponyboy is a greaser, and he's always been proud of it, even willing to rumble against a gang of Socs for the sake of his fellow greasers-- until one terrible night when his friend Johnny kills a soc. The murder causes Pony’s world to crumble and teaches him that pain feels the same whether a soc or a greaser.

Characters

Ponyboy Curtis Narrator and protagonist Different from the rest of the greasers because he has interests literature and school Reliable and observant Rocky home life Has two older brothers, Soda and Darry

Darrell “Darry” Curtis Ponyboy’s oldest brother Raised his brothers after the death of their parents in a car crash Gave up a full athletic scholarship to work two jobs so the three brothers could stay together Strong, athletic and intelligent Nicknamed “Superman”

Dallas “Dally” Winston The toughest hood in Ponboy’s group A hardened teen who used to run in New York gangs Has been to jail multiple times

Sodapop Curtis Cherry and Marcia Happy and attractive older brother of Ponyboy Dropped out of high school Works at a gas station, fixes cars Soc girls who become interested in the greasers

Johnny CadeParent are abusive and drunks Nervous and sensitive Was almost killed after he was jumped by the Socs Greasers are his family

Two-Bit Mathews The joker of Ponyboy’s group Got his name because he is always putting in his “two bits”

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