The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Module 1: Classics and Awards


1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hinton, S.E. THE OUTSIDERS. New York: Speak, 2008. ISBN 9780140385724

2.    Summary

Pony Boy Curtis , a 14 year old boy, narrates this story about his life and the factors that lead him to write about this time in his life. Belonging to a group known as The Greasers, Pony Boy writes about himself, his brothers Darry and Sodapop and the struggles they face against “The Socs”, and their need to fit into a society that dismisses them because of their lackluster ability to fit into the norm.

The two gangs are from different social classes. Greasers, as Pony Boy describes them, are from the poor side of town, while the Socs are from more privileged families, privileged in the fact that they have money and affluence to get out of trouble.

3.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book falls in the classification of Awards and Classics and explores themes like family, conflict, love and social acceptance. The Outsiders is about two different social classes trying to coexist in a small town. The Socs, upper class people who are wealthy and typically get away with unlawful behavior, reside on the west side while the rival gang, the Greasers, live on the on the east side and are generally considered to be lower class. The Greasers are named and known for their greasy hair, junky cars and bad attitudes. As you read farther into the book you find that neither fit the reader’s expectations. The Socs, despite money and influence, battled the same internal demons as the Greasers, trying to hide their feelings and fighting against their own personal identity.

Throughout the entire book, each character must make very important choices. This book also shows how important friends are and how the family theme emerges within the group even though some of the greasers are not related by blood. I found the use of other literary clues within the story to describe Ponyboys intellect, something you wouldn't expect from a greaser...someone living in poverty. Ponyboy mentions how he relates to Pip from Great Expectations, reads and quotes from Robert Frost and introduces Gone With the Wind to another Greaser. Hinton did a superb job detailing each group and their differences and gave the reader subtleties to their likeness, ones which come more obvious as the story progresses.

To add to the aura of the book, it is interesting to find it was written by a 16 year old girl and has been considered one of the first examples of a book in the young adult category. A classic among teens, The Outsiders is often considered one of the first literary elements to identify with teens and the need to fit in, social cliques and gangs, all of which were issues affecting teens at that time. The novel made teens feel as though someone understood and connected with these turbulent times in their life.

4.  AWARDS/REVIEWS

New York Herald Tribune Best Teenage Books List, 1967

Chicago Tribune Book World Spring Book Festival Honor Book, 1967

Media and Methods Maxi Award, 1975

ALA Best Young Adult Books, 1975

Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, 1979

THE HORN BOOK review: “...we meet powerful characters in a book with a powerful message.”

“The book The Outsiders is one of my favorite books to teach. It is action packed, full of colorful characters, and allows the reader to actually feel like they are in Pony Boy’s head. I have had so many reluctant readers latch on to The Outsiders and tell me it was first book they loved. The life lessons in The Outsiders are numerous; from how to get along with family, to how to get along with yourself in spite of the decisions you make in life. SE Hinton wrote a book from the heart, and the message has not been lost on the youth of the 21st century. “-DeDe Diaczenko, McCarroll Middle School ELA teacher, 7th grade, Decatur TX.

“One of the things I look forward to every year is when my classes get to read The Outsiders. I get so excited because it’s like a reunion with some great friends. I absolutely LOVE this book! The messages about not judging people and the bonds of friendship are as relevant today as they were when S.E. Hinton wrote the book 40 years ago.”- Lisa Heiens, ELA Dept. Chair, McCarroll Middle School, Decatur TX

5.    CONNECTIONS

Students write a news story using incidents and descriptions from the novel, The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton. They work effectively in teams to edit and evaluate the newspaper articles and then present the newspaper article to the class. Finally, students participate in class discussion, relating it to the effect of the media on public opinion, particularly as it may relate to elections or different groups in society.

Activities were found at the following website: http://www.lessonplanet.com/lesson-plans/the-outsiders