The Outsiders

by S.E. Hinton Susan Eloise Hinton wrote most of the book when she was 16 published at age 18 realistic fiction for younger readers criticized for raw language and violence sold more than 14 million copies

S.E. Hinton Known as “Susie” to friends Publisher made her use “S.E. Hinton” as pen name out of fear that boys wouldn’t want to read the book if they knew it was written by a young woman.

Sound familiar? The same thing happened to J.K. Rowling 30 years later.

Greasers Socials (Socs) VS Through the eyes of our 14 year old narrator, Ponyboy Curtis, we’ll experience the conflict between two teenage groups. Greasers poor rough kids absentee parents doubtful futures Socials (Socs) rich popular kids spoiled by parents bright futures VS

setting Tulsa, Oklahoma 1965

Important Characters The Greasers

Ponyboy Curtis -Narrator -14 years old -Parents died in car crash -being raised by older brothers

-Oldest brother Darrel “Darry” Curtis -20 years old -good student & athlete while in school -Now, trying to be a parent to his two brothers

-The family’s Sodapop Curtis middle son -16 years old -dropped out of school -works on cars -handsome, easy- going

Ponyboy, Sodapop, and Darry Curtis. . . Brotherly Love Ponyboy, Sodapop, and Darry Curtis. . . doing the best they can

-smallest of the Johnny Cade group -best friend of Ponyboy -abused by parents -idolizes Dally

-toughest of the Dallas “Dally” Winston group -17 years old -high school dropout -already served time in jail

Steve Randle Two-Bit Matthews Sodapop’s best friend Works at gas station with Sodapop Two-Bit Matthews At age 18, still a high school junior Comic of the group

Important Characters The Socs (Socials)

-spoiled rich kid Bob Sheldon -leader of the Socs -dating Cherry -beats up smaller guys -overindulged by parents

-popular cheerleader Sherry “Cherry” valance -dating Bob -offended by (and attracted to) Dally -befriends Pony -becomes a spy for the Greasers

Soc Fashion Preppy “madras” shirts

denim jackets, jeans, leather jackets Greaser Fashion denim jackets, jeans, leather jackets “Greasers” hair gel “Greasers” mechanics

Cars. . . what do Socs drive? Mustang Corvair

Cars. . . what do Greasers drive? a bucket of bolts. . . or. . . more likely, they walk

music Elvis The Beatles The Rolling Stones

entertainment Drive-in diners Drive-in theater

Teen Slang Okay, so you’re a real hep cat, but do you know teen-speak from the 60s? Write these words on your paper: rank 7. rolled cooler 8. lift scrap 9. fuzz hot 10. heater lone it 11. cancer stick savvy? 12. hacked off

Now, with a partner, write your best guess about what each term might actually mean to a teenager in the sixties.

Answers rank : not cool 7. rolled: to rob or get robbed cooler: jail 8. lift: to steal or shoplift scrap: to fight 9. fuzz: the police hot: recently stolen 10. heater: hand-gun lone it: do something alone 11. cancer stick: cigarette savvy?: Do you understand? 12. hacked off: angry

Now let’s grab a book and get started!