Introductory Notes

S.E. Hinton S.E Hinton was and still is one of the most popular and best known writers of young adult fiction. Her books have been taught in some schools and banned from others. Her novels changed the way people look at young adult literature.

S. E. Hinton 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. That book, her first novel, was published in 1967 by Viking. Hinton was only 15 when she wrote the book and 18 when it was published.

S. E. Hinton Since her narrator was a boy, Hinton’s publishers suggested that she publish under the name S.E. Hinton; they feared 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 a 15-year-old boy, having an authorial self that doesn’t suggest a gender is just fine with me.”

S. E. Hinton 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 three year long writer’s block.

S. E. Hinton 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 two pages a day if she wanted to go anywhere. This eventually led to That was Then, This is Now.

S. E. Hinton Hinton’s books include: The Outsiders; That was Then, This is Now; Rumble Fish; Tex; and Taming the Star Runner, among others.

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

The Outsiders Character List The Greasers  Ponyboy Curtis - 14, orphan, Greaser, narrator and protagonist  Darrell “Darry” Curtis –oldest brother, Greaser, responsible, raising Ponyboy and Sodapop  Sodapop Curtis – Greaser, happy-go-lucky, handsome, plans to marry Sandy

The Outsiders Character List  Two-Bit Matthews - Greaser, joker, shoplifts  Dallas “Dally” Winston - toughest, violent, extensive criminal record  Johnny Cade – 16, smallest, shy, abused, gang’s pet, respectful, nervous, Ponyboy’s best friend

The Outsiders Character List The Socials  Sherry “Cherry” Valance – Social, Bob's girlfriend  Randy - 17, a Social  Bob - 17, a Social, Cherry's boyfriend  Marcia – a Social, Randy's girlfriend

The Outsiders Character List The Supporting Characters