The Outsiders | S. E. Hinton | Cliff Note Books
“The Outsiders” is a novel by S. E. Hinton that was first published in 1967. It is considered a seminal work in the young adult fiction genre, particularly for its mature and thoughtful exploration of themes such as class conflict, friendship, and the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during the mid-1960s, “The Outsiders” tells the story of 14-year-old Ponyboy Curtis, who is being raised by his older brothers Sodapop and Darry after their parents’ death in a car accident. Ponyboy, his brothers, and their friends belong to a lower-class group of teenagers known as the Greasers, who have ongoing conflicts with the Socs (short for Socials), a group of wealthier teenagers in their city.
The main conflict in the story ignites when Ponyboy and his friend Johnny Cade get into a fight with a group of Socs. During the altercation, Johnny stabs and kills a Soc to save Ponyboy from being drowned. Fearful of being arrested, Ponyboy and Johnny run away and hide in an abandoned church in the countryside.
While they’re in hiding, a fire breaks out in the church, and Ponyboy and Johnny heroically rescue a group of children trapped inside. Johnny, however, is seriously injured during the rescue and later dies in the hospital.
Following Johnny’s death, the tension between the Greasers and the Socs escalates, culminating in a rumble, or group fight, between the two gangs. The Greasers win the rumble, but the victory feels hollow, especially for Ponyboy, who has lost two friends (Johnny and Dallas, another member of their gang who dies following the rumble).
In the end, Ponyboy returns to school. Struggling with his traumatic experiences, he writes a school assignment about his experiences, which is revealed to be the narrative of “The Outsiders”. The book ends with the same sentence it began, offering a circular perspective to the story: “When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home.”
“The Outsiders” examines the destructiveness of class conflict, the power of friendship, and the trials and tribulations of growing up. Despite their tough exterior, the Greasers exhibit strong loyalty and capacity for empathy, challenging the reader’s preconceptions about social classes and “outsiders.”
QUOTES FROM THE OUTSIDERS
“Things are rough all over.”
“Stay gold, Ponyboy, stay gold.”
“I lie to myself all the time. But I never believe me.”
“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.”
“When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home.”
“Dally was so real he scared me.”
“We’re all we have left. We ought to be able to stick together against everything. If we don’t have each other, we don’t have anything.”
“I’ve been thinking about it, and that poem, that guy that wrote it, he meant you’re gold when you’re a kid, like green. When you’re a kid everything’s new, dawn. It’s just when you get used to everything that it’s day. Like the way you dig sunsets, Pony. That’s gold. Keep that way, it’s a good way to be.”
“I used to like to draw. It was the only thing I was ever half good at. I kept it up because that was the only way I could get to stay in school… I liked the shading part.”
BIOGRAPHY OF S.E. HINTON
Hinton was born on July 22, 1948, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she grew up as the tomboyish only child of a door-to-door salesmen father and an assembly line worker mother. She loved reading and writing from an early age, and she began writing “The Outsiders” when she was only 15 years old, finishing it a year later. Hinton was inspired to write the novel because of her frustration with the social divisions in her high school and the lack of realistic fiction for young adults. She used the gender-neutral pen name S. E. Hinton to avoid potential bias, as her publisher thought that the book’s violent subject matter would not be well-received coming from a woman writer.
“The Outsiders” was published in 1967 and quickly gained popularity for its gritty and empathetic portrayal of teenage angst and class struggle. It is considered a revolutionary work in the field of young adult literature. Despite facing some controversy and even bans for its depiction of gang violence, the book has sold millions of copies and is regularly taught in schools.
Hinton wrote several other notable books after “The Outsiders,” including “That Was Then, This Is Now” (1971), “Rumble Fish” (1975), “Tex” (1979), and “Taming the Star Runner” (1988). These books, like “The Outsiders,” often deal with themes of class conflict, coming of age, and the challenges of youth.
In addition to writing novels, Hinton has also worked as a film producer and screenwriter, particularly on the film adaptations of her own books. “The Outsiders,” “Rumble Fish,” “Tex,” and “That Was Then, This Is Now” have all been made into films, with Hinton playing a role in the production and scripting of most of them.
Hinton has received numerous awards for her contribution to young adult literature, including the Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1988. Despite the popularity of her books, Hinton has largely shied away from the public eye. She lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with her husband, where she continues to write.
CRITICISMS OF THE OUTSIDERS
“The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton has been hailed as a classic and groundbreaking work in young adult literature. However, like any piece of literature, it has faced some criticisms as well.
Violence and Adult Themes: Despite being targeted towards young adults, “The Outsiders” contains fairly mature and violent content. It features scenes of physical fighting, knife attacks, and deaths, which some readers and critics have found inappropriate for younger audiences. The book has been frequently challenged and even banned in some schools for these reasons.
Stereotypical Portrayal of Characters: Some critics argue that the characters in the book are somewhat stereotypical. The Greasers and the Socs are often defined by their group identities, and the characters can sometimes appear one-dimensional or lacking in individual depth.
Simplistic Depiction of Socioeconomic Conflict: The central conflict of the book is the socioeconomic tension between the Greasers and the Socs. However, some critics argue that this depiction is overly simplistic and doesn’t fully address the complexities of social class and economic disparity.
Romanticization of Gang Life: Some have criticized the book for potentially romanticizing gang life. Despite the hardships the Greasers face, their loyalty and camaraderie might make gang life seem appealing or glorified to some readers.
Writing Style: A few critics have also pointed out the somewhat rough and simplistic writing style of the book. Considering that Hinton was only 16 when she wrote the book, some argue that the prose and narrative lack the sophistication and depth found in other literary works.
Despite these criticisms, the impact of “The Outsiders” on young adult literature cannot be overstated. Its honest portrayal of adolescent experiences, the consequences of violence, and the effects of socioeconomic disparity resonated with many readers, making it a beloved classic.
DISCUSSION POINTS ON THE OUTSIDERS
“The Outsiders” is a rich novel with many points that could be considered for discussion or analysis. Here are several potential discussion points:
Themes of Class and Socioeconomic Status: The tension between the Greasers and the Socs is a central part of the story. How does Hinton depict the impacts of social class and economic disparity in the novel?
The Concept of Family: Ponyboy’s biological family is broken with the loss of his parents. How does the idea of found family or chosen family play out in the book? Consider the relationships between Ponyboy, his brothers, and the rest of the Greasers.
Violence and its Consequences: How does Hinton portray violence in the novel? Does the book glorify or condemn violent behavior? Consider the consequences the characters face due to their violent actions.
Coming of Age and Loss of Innocence: How do the characters mature or change over the course of the book? What events trigger these changes? Discuss Ponyboy’s evolution and his struggle to preserve innocence, especially with the line “stay gold, Ponyboy.”
Stereotypes and Individuality: Despite their group identities, each character in the book has their own unique traits and struggles. How do these characters both conform to and defy stereotypes?
Perspective and Empathy: Consider the perspective from which the story is told. How does Ponyboy’s narration shape the reader’s understanding of the characters and events? How does it contribute to the theme of empathy in the novel?
Symbolism: What are the key symbols in the book and what do they represent? For example, consider the symbolism of sunsets, sunrises, and the Robert Frost poem.
The Role of Women: How are female characters portrayed in the book? What roles do they play in the story, and how do they influence the events and the male characters?
The Impact of Environment: How does the setting (time and place) affect the characters’ lives and decisions?
The Writing Style: How does Hinton’s writing style contribute to the overall effect of the novel? Consider her use of language, imagery, dialogue, and narrative structure.
Remember, the purpose of these discussion points is to inspire deeper thought and analysis about the novel, not necessarily to reach a definitive answer or conclusion. They can be used as prompts for class discussions, essays, or personal reflections.
SUMMARY OF THE OUTSIDERS
Chapter 1: The book begins with the narrator, Ponyboy Curtis, leaving a movie theater and walking home alone. He’s approached by a group of Socs (wealthy teens from the west side of town), who threaten and harass him. Ponyboy’s brothers (Sodapop and Darry) and their fellow Greasers (lower-class teens from the east side) arrive in time to scare off the Socs. The chapter introduces us to the main characters and the tension between the Greasers and the Socs.
Chapter 2: Ponyboy and Johnny, another Greaser, meet two Soc girls, Cherry and Marcia, at the local drive-in movie theater. They get along despite their group affiliations, and Cherry shares her perspective on the social divide, saying that things are rough all over. Ponyboy confides in her about Johnny’s past—how he was beaten up badly by Socs, which left him skittish and fearful.
Chapter 3: After the movie, Ponyboy, Johnny, and the two Soc girls walk and talk, and it becomes clear that despite their different socioeconomic statuses, they share some common feelings and thoughts. However, the night takes a turn when the girls’ Soc boyfriends find them with the Greasers. To avoid a fight, the girls go home with their boyfriends. When Ponyboy returns home late, Darry is furious and slaps him. Shocked and hurt, Ponyboy runs away, and Johnny decides to go with him.
Chapter 4: While hanging out in the park to cool off, Ponyboy and Johnny are approached by the same Socs who took the girls home earlier. A fight breaks out, and when one of the Socs tries to drown Ponyboy in a fountain, Johnny stabs him in self-defense, resulting in the Soc’s death. Terrified, Ponyboy and Johnny seek help from Dallas “Dally” Winston, the toughest of the Greasers. He gives them money, a gun, and directions to an abandoned church where they can hide.
Chapter 5: Johnny and Ponyboy cut and dye their hair as disguises while hiding out in the church. They pass the time reading “Gone with the Wind” and discussing poetry. Johnny is particularly moved by Robert Frost’s poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” which becomes a significant motif in the story. Dally arrives to check on them, bringing news from home and a letter for Ponyboy from his brother Sodapop.
Chapter 6: Dally, Johnny, and Ponyboy go out to eat, where they learn that Cherry Valance, the Soc girl they met at the movies, is acting as a spy for the Greasers. She’s told them that the Socs plan to fight the Greasers in a “rumble” to settle their disputes. Dally, Johnny, and Ponyboy drive back to the church and find it on fire. A group of schoolchildren is trapped inside, and Ponyboy and Johnny bravely rush in to save them. Dally pulls Johnny out of the burning church as it collapses, but not before Johnny sustains serious burns and a broken back.
Chapter 7: Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally are hailed as heroes in the newspaper. Ponyboy and Dally are released from the hospital, but Johnny’s condition is critical. Tensions rise in anticipation of the rumble.
Chapter 8: Johnny’s condition worsens. He asks for a copy of “Gone with the Wind”, which Ponyboy brings him. Ponyboy also visits with Cherry Valance, who explains that she can’t visit Johnny because he killed her boyfriend.
Chapter 9: The night of the rumble arrives. Despite Darry and Ponyboy’s earlier disagreements, they share a moment of connection before the fight. The Greasers win the rumble, but the victory feels hollow, especially when Dally and Ponyboy rush to the hospital to tell Johnny, who dies after telling Ponyboy to “stay gold.”
Chapter 10: Devastated by Johnny’s death, Dally robs a grocery store and is pursued by the police. The other Greasers and Ponyboy follow him, arriving just in time to see Dally pull out an unloaded gun, prompting the police to shoot him down. Dally dies, and Ponyboy passes out from physical and emotional exhaustion.
Chapter 11: Ponyboy spends a week at home recuperating, during which he has moments of delusion and denial about the deaths of Johnny and Dally. The remaining members of their group try to cope with their losses.
Chapter 12: Ponyboy is acquitted at the hearing for the Soc’s murder. The Curtis brothers continue to struggle but come to a better understanding of each other. They promise to stick together and stop fighting amongst themselves. Ponyboy finds a letter from Johnny, who encourages him to “stay gold” and not lose his innocence. Inspired, Ponyboy decides to write his school essay about his experiences, beginning with the same line that starts the book: “When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home.”