Susan Eloise Hinton was born in the 1950s in Tulsa, Oklahoma

She began The Outsiders at the age of fifteen, inspired by her frustration with the social divisions in her high school and the lack of realistic fiction for high school readers.

The Outsiders, first published in 1967, tells the story of class conflict between the greasers, a group of low-class youths, and the Socs (short for Socials), a group of privileged rich kids who live on the wealthy West Side of town.

Hinton successfully finished her second novel, titled That Was Then, This is Now, published in 1971. In all, she has written eight novels for young adults.

The Rock Generation—Rock music became the soundtrack of this generation.

Popular artists: The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley (late 50s/early 60s)

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and The Civil Rights Movement.

In 1960 a new house cost $12,700.00 and by 1969 was $15,500.00

In 1960 the average income per year was $5,315.00 and by 1969 was $8,540.00

In 1960 a gallon of gas was 25 cents and by 1969 was 35 cents

In 1960 the average cost of new car was $2,600.00 and by 1969 was $3,270.00

From www.thepeoplehistory.com

When having the wrong hairstyle could get you suspended.

Read the article, then discuss the main idea.

The Outsiders Book Trailer

At 14 years old, the youngest Curtis brother and greaser.

Intelligent; sensitive; has certain un-greaserlike characteristics:

Likes to go to movies by himself

Does well in school, Appreciates

SUNSETS.

The oldest of the Curtis brothers. Darry is 20, hardworking, and rarely shows his feelings.

After the boys’ parents died, Darry passed up a college scholarship and took responsibility for raising his younger brothers.

Darry has high expectations for PONYBOY.

Athletic

The middle Curtis brother.

16 years old, handsome and fun-loving.

A high school dropout who enjoys working with cars and has a job at a gas station.

Compassionate and supportive sibling to his two brothers. He often finds himself in the middle of their fights.

Loves his girlfriend Sandy.

The second youngest of the greasers. Johnny is 16, a close friend to PONYBOY, and beloved by the entire gang.

Also known as the “gang’s pet.”

He comes from an abusive and neglectful home, and he spends as little time there as possible. The greasers are his true family, and they regard him as a little brother.

A tough, hardened greaser.

Grew up on the streets of New York and learned early to depend upon himself.

Has a long criminal record and is prone to risk-taking.

Loyal and compassionate friend. He is devoted to JOHNNY, in whom he sees the potential that he himself has lost.

The oldest of the greaser gang.

Quick-witted and is always telling jokes.

Loves Mickey Mouse. Once fought off

some Socs with a broken bottle.

PONYBOY appreciates that Two-Bit treats him as an equal.

SODAPOP’s best friend.

Works with Sodapop at the gas station and spends a lot of time at the Curtis home.

PONYBOY feels that Steve regards him as a child and a tagalong.

The leader of the Socs and CHERRY’s boyfriend.

Bob is a tough, intimidating boy.

BOB’S best friend and MARCIA’S boyfriend. Randy is a Soc who participates in the rumble.

CHERRY VALANCE – A Soc and BOB’s girlfriend.

Open-minded, sensitive, and courageous.

She befriends PONYBOY and helps him to see that Socs are people, too.

Explains to Ponyboy that the Socs and Greasers see the same SUNSET.

“Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work.”

Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor

Honor Among the Lawless

The Treacherousness of Male-Female Interactions

“Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.”

“It’s okay… We aren’t in the same class. Just don’t forget that some of us watch the sunset too.”

“Greasers will still be greasers and Socs will still be Socs. Sometimes I think it’s the ones in the middle that are really the lucky stiffs.”