1. The Outsiders
S.E. Hinton

2. About the book
“A heroic story of friendship and belonging. Ponyboy can count on his brothers. And on his friends. But not on much else besides trouble with the Socs, a vicious gang of rich kids whose idea of a good time is beating up “greasers” like Ponyboy. At least he knows what to expect – until the night someone takes things too far.”

3. Greasers
The switchblade represents strength and power. The Greasers, the lower class, felt safer when carrying this defense. It was their choice of weapon against harm that may come from the opposing social group, the Socs.

4. Socs
The blue Mustang represents the upper class Socs. It stands for money power and authority.
It was Bob’s rings, symbols of wealth, that were used to cut up Johnny’s face so badly the day he was left for dead.

5. The cigarette is a symbol of the lower class
The cigarette is a symbol of the lower class. Many of the Greasers started smoking at an early age. It made them feel older and helped them to fit into their group. Later it became a way of passing time and keeping calm.

6. The drive in movie theatre was a place where the Greasers and the Socs shared the same turf. Both social groups enjoyed the theatre together. It was a place where they could co-exist.

7. The horse represents innocence
The horse represents innocence. Soda’s horse, Mickey Mouse, connects the boys to youth. Soda enjoyed the horse as a young boy. When the horse was sold, Soda was devastated. He shared a special bond with the horse that he could not again duplicate.

8. The Curtis boys also shared an extraordinary bond with their parents, unlike any of the other boys in their group. When their parents were killed, it truly was a life lost. A time that they could never get back. They now fight to stay together and form new bonds with each other that they didn’t know could exist.

9. A turning point
Dally’s invitation for Johnny and Ponyboy to join him for some food at he Dairy Queen was truly a turning point in the story. It was here that Johnny announced that he was turning himself in to the police.
It was also at the Dairy Queen where Ponyboy and Randy met up. Ponyboy realized that although they were very different, they were all just guys.

10. The church was a safe haven for both Ponyboy and Johnny
The church was a safe haven for both Ponyboy and Johnny. It was a hideout for them as they were hiding from the crime that was committed. It was a place that allowed them to be themselves and reflect on their lives. Later, it was the burning church that allowed them to show their true colors.

11. Johnny and Dally both ended up in the hospital after their heroic rescues saving several students from the burning church. They ran in despite the danger of the falling roof. As a result of their actions they both died significant deaths.