1960’s America The world of The Outsiders

General Setting  The Outsiders presumably takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where S.E. Hinton grew up.  We mostly see the east side of the city, from the perspective of the Greasers.  The Outsiders presumably takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where S.E. Hinton grew up.  We mostly see the east side of the city, from the perspective of the Greasers.

S. E. Hinton Biography  Susan Eloise Hinton born Tulsa, OK  Wrote The Outsiders while she was 17 yrs. old and still in high school.  The Outsiders is a reflection on her life as a teenager and inspired by 2 gangs at her high school.

Bio continued Publisher  Hinton’s publisher suggested she use her initials instead of her full name so male book reviewers would not dismiss the novel because it was written by a female.  inducted into Oklahoma Writers Hall of Fame. Other works publushed  That was then, This is Now  Rumble Fish, 1975  Tex, 1979  Taming the Star Runner, 1988.

Fashion in 1960s During the time period of the novel, Soc “types” would wear madras shirts and khakis. You can see an example of typical clothing below. James Dean embodied the cultivated Greaser image. Leather jacket, jeans, white t-shirt and boots were typical of boys who emulated the free and uncontrolled lifestyle Dean seemed to live. Madras Shirts Hair Grease

Music and Film Here are some images of popular artists and movies. Elvis Presley Paul Newman The Beach Boys Beach movies The Beatles

Drive-ins Watching movies at the drive-in theatre was a popular thing to do, especially for teenagers. The car culture was a big part of society. You’ll notice that cars are often mentioned in the novel.

Cars Here are two cars and a gas station that are mentioned in the novel. Cars were THE thing to have in High school. They were up and coming. Chevy Corvair DX Gas Station 1965 Ford Mustang

Drive-in Restaurants These restaurants were a typical place to take a date. They were also where gangs hung out.

The American Dream Happiness for the characters of The Outsiders was a girl, a car, some money, a strong group of friends, and probably an ice-cold bottle of soda. How much has changed?