Introduction to The Outsiders

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

The Introduction Power Point Includes: The greasers and the socials – two rival groups in the story Gang violence in the 1960s Why the author wrote the book

GREASERS AND THE SOCIALS rival groups of friends/characters in the novel

GREASERS AND THE SOCIALS: differences Greaser gang: (referred to as “grease”) Lower-class gang Poor; low income Wore leather jackets Longer hair/put grease in it From “wrong side” of town Violent/ reputation of being trouble-makers Streetwise Low academically Carry blades/always ready to fight Territorial

Greasers influenced by Elvis Presley

GREASERS AND THE SOCIALS: differences Social gang: (referred to as “soc”; NOT SOCK!) Higher-class gang; some athletes, intellectuals, Wealthy Wore preppy clothing like buttoned sweaters or madra shirts (collared shirts) with khakis High academic achievement Snobby High social expectations Drive fancy cars/sports cars/ Ford Mustang/Corvair Not very streetwise Law abiding citizens Like to jump/rob/beat-up greasers if they are alone

GREASERS AND THE SOCIALS: similarities Both teenagers Both place high importance on image Both want to be accepted by their group Both groups take little time to understand the other group Both groups remain loyal to their own group

GANG VIOLENCE IN THE 1960S Hinton was frustrated with social divisions within her high school the social divide inspired her to create the greaser and social gang Violent gangs in the 60s drank alcohol, had parties, usually did criminal activities such as robbery or drugs

PURPOSE OF PUBLISHING THE OUTSIDERS Breaking the female writer stereotype in the 1960’s: Most authors that wrote about gangs and violence were male authors Most authors that were female did not have novels that had a majority of their characters be male To be respected and to not be prejudged, the author went by the name S.E. Hinton

S.E.Hinton S.E. stands for Susan Eloise Early picture of Hinton