Summary
The Outsiders, a seminal work of young adult fiction by S.E. Hinton, delves into the turbulent life of 14-year-old Ponyboy Curtis, who navigates the complexities of societal divisions and personal loss. Set against the backdrop of 1960s Oklahoma, the narrative unfolds through Ponyboy's eyes, offering a raw and impactful examination of the class struggles between the working-class "greasers" and the affluent "Socs" (Socials). This division sets the stage for conflict, camaraderie, and ultimately, tragedy.
The novel begins with Ponyboy's encounter with the Socs, setting off a chain of events that exacerbates the long-standing rivalry between the Socs and Greasers. Ponyboy's journey is marked by his relationships with his brothers, Darry and Sodapop, and his Greaser friends, particularly Johnny Cade, whose life takes a dark turn following a deadly altercation with a Soc, Bob Sheldon. This incident forces Ponyboy and Johnny into hiding, catalyzing a sequence of events that leads to heroic acts, introspection, and a deeper understanding of the shared humanity across social divides.
Following a court hearing that relieves Ponyboy of responsibility for Bob's death, the protagonist grapples with the aftermath of violence, the fragility of life, and the realization of his brothers' love and aspirations for him. As Ponyboy's world views mature, he decides to channel his experiences into a school assignment, reflecting on the societal divisions that have defined his young life.
Initially perceived as controversial for its portrayal of gang violence and adolescent turmoil, The Outsiders has earned a revered spot in American literature. Its audience has been exapnded through adaptations into a 1983 movie, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, and a 2024 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical.
Themes
Socioeconomic conflicts
Class division and prejudice
Violence and its consequences
The meaning of "family": blood and chosen
Searching for identity
Friendship and loyalty
Loss of innocence
Hope and the potential for personal growth
Heroism in everyday actions
Setting
Set in 1965, The Outsiders takes place against the backdrop of Tulsa, Oklahoma, a city reflecting the broader societal divisions and cultural milieu of the United States during this tumultuous era. Although the novel itself does not explicitly state its setting, this geographical and temporal context is crucial to understanding the socioeconomic divides that underpin the narrative. The story unfolds in a working-class neighborhood, contrasting sharply with the more affluent areas inhabited by the "Socs," or Socials, who embody the upper-middle-class segment of Tulsa's youths. These contrasting locales not only ground the novel's exploration of class conflict but also mirror the broader societal tensions of the 1960s, a period marked by significant social upheaval and the questioning of traditional values.
Tulsa, with its concrete and symbolic boundaries, becomes a microcosm for the challenges of understanding and bridging divides, whether they be social, economic, or moral. By situating the narrative in this specific era and place, The Outsiders captures the zeitgeist of its time, offering readers a lens through which to examine the enduring nature of societal conflicts and the possibility of empathy and unity across seemingly insurmountable barriers.
Characters
Ponyboy Curtis: The narrator and the youngest Curtis brother, 14 years old, good student and track runner, sensitively attuned to the world around him.
Sodapop "Soda" Curtis: The middle Curtis brother, 16 years old, high school dropout working at a gas station, popular and comedic.
Darrel "Darry" Curtis: The eldest Curtis brother, 20 years old, caring for his brothers after their parents' death, unofficial leader of their gang.
Johnny Cade: Ponyboy's best friend, 16 years old, quiet, lives with abusive parents.
Dallas "Dally" Winston: A 17-year-old juvenile delinquent, the most volatile of the gang but deeply cares for Johnny.
Keith "Two-Bit" Mathews: Known for his wit and kleptomaniac tendencies.
Steve Randle: Sodapop's best friend since grade school, part of the gang.
Timothy "Tim" Shepard: Leader of another greaser gang, friend of Dally's.
Curly Shepard: Tim Shepard's younger brother, mentioned as a friend of Ponyboy's.
Sandy: Sodapop's disloyal girlfriend who eventually leaves him.
Sherri "Cherry" Valance: Bob's girlfriend and a Soc who attends the same high school as Ponyboy.
Robert "Bob" Sheldon: Leader of the Socs, Cherry's boyfriend, killed by Johnny.
Randy Adderson: Bob's best friend, Marcia's boyfriend, part of the Soc group.
Marcia: Cherry's best friend and Randy's girlfriend, also part of the Soc crowd.
Paul Holden: Darry's old high school friend who has become a Soc.
David: A Soc involved in the attempted drowning of Ponyboy.
Jerry Wood: The schoolteacher responsible for the children at the church fire.
Mr. Syme: Ponyboy's English teacher, who provides Ponyboy an opportunity to improve his grade with an assignment that leads to the story's narrative.
Critical reception
The Outsiders was hailed by The New York Times for transforming young adult fiction "from a genre mostly about prom queens, football players and high school crushes to one that portrayed a darker, truer world," while the Philadelphia Daily News described it as "[a] classic coming-of-age book." The Chicago Tribune praised it as "taut with tension, filled with drama," and the National Observer noted: "There is rawness and violence here, but honest hope, too." Along with receiving widespread critical acclaim, S. E. Hinton's groundbreaking novel was named a Best Teenage Book by the New York Herald Tribune, an Honor Book by the Chicago Tribune Book World Spring Book Festival, and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. The Outsiders also won the Massachusetts Children's Book Award.
FAQs
What age group is The Outsiders suitable for?
The Outsiders is categorized as young adult fiction, but its themes of gang violence, identity, and class prejudice will resonate with older teens and adults as well. Its content, including underage smoking and drinking, strong language, and family dysfunction, may require discretion for younger readers.
What inspired S.E. Hinton to write The Outsiders?
S.E. Hinton was inspired to write The Outsiders based on her own experiences witnessing social divides and gang conflicts in her high school. She started writing the novel at 15 and completed it while she was still in high school, aiming to provide a realistic portrayal of the rivalry between different socioeconomic groups from a teenager's perspective.
Why has The Outsiders faced controversy and been challenged?
The Outsiders has been a controversial book because of its portrayal of gang violence, underage smoking and drinking, strong language and family dysfunction. These elements have led to it being banned or challenged in some schools and libraries, though it remains a significant part of English curricula in many US schools.
How has The Outsiders influenced popular culture?
The Outsiders has had a notable influence on popular culture, spawning a 1983 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, a 1990 television series, a 2024 Tony Award-winning musical, and references in other media such as video games and music. Its portrayal of "greasers" and "Socs" has become iconic, influencing later generations in films, literature, and television.
What is the significance of the settings in The Outsiders?
The story is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the mid-1960s, though it never explicitly states this in the book. The setting is significant as it reflects the socioeconomic divisions and cultural backdrop of the time, contributing to the authenticity and realism of the rivalry between the greasers and Socs.
How did The Outsiders impact S.E. Hinton's career?
The Outsiders was S. E. Hinton's debut novel, published when she was just 18, and it catapulted her to prominence in the literary world. It established her as a voice for youth rebellion and set the stage for her career as an author of young adult fiction, tackling themes relevant to teenagers and young adults.
What educational value does The Outsiders offer?
The Outsiders offers substantial educational value through its exploration of themes such as identity, belonging, and the consequences of violence. It encourages readers to consider the impact of social environments on personal development and provides opportunities for discussions about prejudice, empathy, and resilience.
Quotes
“I lie to myself all the time. But I never believe me.”
“Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold . . . The pillow seemed to sink a little, and Johnny died.”
“It seemed funny to me that the sunset she saw from her patio and the one I saw from the back steps was the same one. Maybe the two different worlds we lived in weren't so different. We saw the same sunset.”
“They grew up on the outside of society. They weren't looking for a fight. They were looking to belong.”
“You get tough like me and you don't get hurt. You look out for yourself and nothin' can touch you... “
“Sixteen years on the streets and you can learn a lot. But all the wrong things, not the things you want to learn. Sixteen years on the streets and you see a lot. But all the wrong sights, not the things you want to see.”
“Can you see the sunset real good on the West side? You can see it on the East side too.”
“Things are rough all over.”
“He died violent and young and desperate, just like we all knew he'd die someday.”
Quick facts
S. E. Hinton was only 15 when she started writing The Outsiders and 16 when she finished it.
The novel was published when Hinton was just 18, making her one of the youngest bestselling authors at the time.
The Outsiders is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which is also S. E. Hinton's hometown.
Hinton faced a challenge with her publishers concerning her name. They suggested initials "S.E." instead of her full name, Susan Eloise, to mask her gender, fearing a woman author wouldn’t be taken seriously in the genre of young adult fiction.
Despite its critical acclaim and inclusion in many school curricula, "The Outsiders" has faced censorship and bans due to its portrayal of gang violence, underage drinking and smoking, and strong language.
The novel's title, "The Outsiders," reflects its exploration of themes such as societal division and the search for identity, resonating deeply with adolescents and contributing to its long-lasting appeal.
The 1983 film adaptation of The Outsiders featured several young actors who would go on to become major stars, including Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, and Matt Dillon.
The book's famously quoted line "Stay gold, Ponyboy" is from the Robert Frost poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay," which plays a significant role in the novel, symbolizing the ephemeral nature of youth and innocence.
A museum dedicated to The Outsiders opened in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2019, inside the house that was used as the Curtis brothers' home in the film adaptation. The museum hosts a collection of memorabilia from the book and the film.
About the author
S. E. Hinton is an acclaimed American author who transformed the landscape of young adult fiction. She launched her writing career while she was still a student at Will Rogers High School, inspired by the stark social divides she witnessed. Her breakthrough novel The Outsiders was published in 1967 when she was just 18. This novel, written from the perspective of a 14-year-old "greaser" named Ponyboy Curtis, has sold more than eight million copies and is celebrated as the bestselling young adult novel of all time.
The author was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on July 22, 1948, as Susan Eloise Hinton. Her decision to use her initials "S.E." was strategic, aimed at ensuring her work reached a broader audience, including young men who might be skeptical of a woman writer.
Following the success of The Outsiders, Hinton faced and overcame a challenging period of writer's block. She then published many successful novels, including That Was Then, This Is Now, Rumble Fish, and Tex. Her profound influence on young adult literature has been acknowledged through numerous accolades, notably the inaugural Margaret A. Edwards Award in 1988 from the American Library Association, celebrating her enduring impact on the lives and emotional development of young readers.
Hinton has contributed to the adaptation of her novels into films and stage productions, notably collaborating with Francis Ford Coppola on The Outsiders and Rumble Fish. Her personal life, marked by a steadfast commitment to privacy, revolves around her family in Tulsa and her love for horses.
