Get This! 1. As you read compare and contrast the experiences of the teens in the novel with the experiences of contemporary teens.

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1 Teen Angst The characters in S.E. Hinton s The Outsiders possess many similarities to you, yet may also differ from you in numerous ways. While the story is set amid the high school gang culture of the 1960s (Think: Grease), the characters experience many of the same issues you may deal with every day. The teens live in a world without strong adult role models; they are concerned about fitting in; and often deal with issues such as suicide, underage drinking and teen pregnancy. When reading The Outsiders, think about how the novel s world compares to your own. Be a Better Reader As you work through the study guide for The Outsiders, you ll also practice these skills, which will help you when you read novels in the future, for school assignments or just for fun. 1. Describe the development of the main character. 2. Discuss how the plot develops throughout the novel. 3. Describe themes in the novel and trace their development throughout the text. 4. Cite textual evidence to support discussion of the novel. 5. Discuss how point of view affects the content of the novel. Behind the Scenes It may seem hard to believe, but The Outsiders was written by a teenage girl. Susan Eloise Hinton of Tulsa, Oklahoma, started writing the novel when she was 15 years old. Since the novel contains violence and more strong male characters than female ones, Hinton s publishers thought it best to publish the book noting the author as S.E. Hinton, a gender neutral name. Hinton began writing the novel to express her own frustration with the starkly divided high school social scene she experienced and also to provide teens with a book targeted to them. Thus, The Outsiders sets itself as one of the first Young Adult novels, a genre which largely began with the novel s publication in Get This! 1. As you read compare and contrast the experiences of the teens in the novel with the experiences of contemporary teens. 2. The Outsiders possesses numerous symbols. Be sure to notice and try to figure out the symbolism of switchblades, cars, rings, and greaser hair. 3. The Outsiders is characterized as a coming of age novel. As you read, think about how the novel s characters grow and change, a journey which brings them closer to adulthood.

2 The Plot The Outsiders follows two weeks in the life of Ponyboy Curtis, a 14 year old boy who lives with his brothers since their parents were killed in a car accident. As you read the novel, fill in the boxes for each element of the novel s plot.

3 The Characters S.E. Hinton uses a cast of teenagers to tell her story of social division and teen angst in the 1960s. Draw a picture of each character listed. Then describe the importance of each character s role in the box beneath each picture. Ponyboy Curtis Darry Curtis Cherry Valance Johnny Cade Dally Winston Bob Sheldon

4 The Setting S.E. Hinton s The Outsiders is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during the 1960s, the same place and time where the author herself lived while writing the book. Use the spaces below to describe the setting in the novel. In the first column, type or write direct quotes from the novel phrases and sentences that are used to show what it s like throughout the book. In the second column, explain in your own words what the author is trying to convey. An example has been completed for you. Direct Quote Related to Setting I had a long walk home and no company... Besides, I like walking. (Chapter 1) Your Explanation Ponyboy sets the scene of a teen dominated, socially divided life in which he is a greaser.

5 Tracking Themes What message is S.E. Hinton trying to communicate in The Outsiders? The main themes in The Outsiders involve social classes and honorable actions. See if you can identify and analyze those themes in the drama. Step 1: What parts of the plot seem related to a possible theme in the novel? (Think about the main conflict and how it get resolved or worked out.) Step 2: Which characters seem related to a possible theme? Which characters change, and what do those changes suggest about social classes and honorable actions? Step 3: How does the author use symbols to hint at the novel s themes? What objects, people, or places stand for something bigger in the story? Step 4: What does the novel s title suggest about the novel s theme? Step 5: Write one or two of the novel s main themes in your own words.

6 Talk About It What do you think about The Outsiders? Did you feel that Ponyboy Curtis was a reliable narrator? How is the novel a coming of age story? In the space below each question, write an answer based on your own understanding of the novel. Include some textual evidence or examples that helped you arrive at your answer. 1. The Outsiders is told from the point of view of Ponyboy Curtis, a 14 year old boy who lives with his brothers. How do you think the novel would differ if it was told from the point of view of another greaser, Cherry, or Bob? Textual Evidence: 2. The Outsiders is considered a coming of age novel, one in which Ponyboy matures and learns about himself and his world through the novel s events. How do Ponyboy s experiences help him grow up and change his life? Textual Evidence:

7 Represent! Show what you know about The Outsiders and its relevance to your life. Choose one of these projects to complete and share with your teacher, classmates, and others. Choice 1: The Social Experience Today While the theme of social classes extends across time, some of the specific instances and events addressed in The Outsiders seem confined to 1960s America. Think about how Hinton s novel could be updated for a modern day audience. What social groups would cause the most friction today? How would this friction be demonstrated? What would be the consequences of their feuding? Create a modern day version of The Outsiders. You may create a written or a video version. Be sure to think about how to translate the novel into the present day. Choice 2: The Outsiders as a Coming of Age Novel In addition to chronicling social divisions and tensions, The Outsiders traces Ponyboy s growing maturity in the form of a coming of age novel. Ponyboy Curtis is not the first literary character to be immortalized in a coming of age novel. Think of other films, plays, short stories, or novels that are considered coming of age novels. Create a Powerpoint presentation that illustrates some of these characters and their lives and experiences. In your presentation, include maps and objects that symbolize each character s journey. Be prepared to explain why you selected each character, as well as how his/her experiences affected him.