The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

The Outsiders Novel

• Written by S.E. Hinton, the novel revolves around the conflict between two gangs: the wealthy Socs (Socials) and the economically disadvantaged Greasers.
• Narrated by 14-year-old Greaser Ponyboy Curtis, who gets involved in a fight that ends with a Soc being stabbed to death.

Setting

• Takes place in an unnamed city in the Southwest region of the United States, similar to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Hinton grew up.
• The story is set in the 1960s, inferred by the presence of Corvair and Mustang cars, the Beatles and Elvis music, and 25-cent movie tickets.
• The Socs live in the affluent West Side, while the Greasers reside in the economically disadvantaged East Side.

Significance of the Setting

• The East Side and West Side represent poverty and wealth, respectively.
• The social divide between the two areas provides the crux of the story.
• The country setting, Windrixville, serves as a neutralizing backdrop, allowing the characters to see themselves outside of the city's class divisions.

Timeline

• The story spans 12 days, with the majority taking place over 7-8 days.
• Key events include:
  • Day 1: Ponyboy gets attacked by the Socs, and his friends come to his rescue.
  • Day 2: Ponyboy and Johnny meet Cherry and Marcia at the movies, leading to a confrontation with the Socs.
  • Days 3-7: Ponyboy and Johnny hide out in an abandoned church in Windrixville.
  • Day 8: Dally arrives, informs them of the upcoming rumble, and encourages them to turn themselves in.
  • Day 9: The rumble takes place, and the Greasers win, but Johnny dies.

Themes and Character Development

• Ponyboy's journey involves understanding his place in the world as a sensitive and intelligent teenager who happens to be a Greaser.
• The story explores themes of class conflict, friendship, and the struggle to find one's identity.
• Ponyboy's experiences in Windrixville, particularly with the farmer and the abandoned church, serve as a sanctuary from the social issues plaguing the city.