The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the mid-1960s and explores the rivalry between two social groups, the Greasers and Socs. The Greasers are working class youth from the wrong side of town, known for greased back hair, jeans, leather jackets and rolled up t-shirt sleeves. In contrast, the Socs are rich kids from the right side of town who think they are better than others and drive corvettes while wearing madras. Hinton was inspired to write the novel at age 15 because she enjoyed writing and wanted to depict realistic teenage experiences that differed from typical books at the time.

1. The Outsiders By S.E. Hinton

2. WHERE and WHEN? Tulsa, Oklahoma Mid 1960’s

3. Greasers — Rebellious working class youth Often part of street gang Greased back hair, jeans, leather jackets, t-shirts with rolled up sleeves Known as “hoods” From the wrong side of town WHO?

4. Greaser Style

5. WHO ELSE? Socs (prounounced SO-shez)— Rich kids from the right side of town Thought they were better than everyone else Pick fights with Greasers Drove corvettes and wear madras (plaid) Get anything they want as long as it’s “cool”

6. More Fashion

7. “ Tuff” Cars

8. 1960’s architecture

9. Other words (slang) to know… Rumble Heater Tough vs. Tuff Cancer Stick, Weed Hood Dig Savvy

10. Before the Salad Dressing…

11. Paul Newman (nickname King Cool)

12. Greaser Revivals and…

13. The Outsiders S.E. Hinton started writing the book at the age of 15 The book was published in 1967 when she was 18. The movie was released in 1983.

14. Why write the book? Q: How did you first get the idea to write The Outsiders? (Question by Elise from http://www.sehinton.com/misc/faq.html) A: I wrote The Outsiders because I (1) like to write (2)was mad about the social situation in my high school where everyone got in their little group and wouldn't make friends outside it and (3) I wanted to read it. There was no realistic fiction being written about teen-agers when I was in high school--everything was "Mary-Jane Goes to The Prom".

15. The Outsiders in Context From http://books.google.com/books?id=DlzwgasGc2oC&pg=PA642&lpg=PA642&dq=the+outsiders+first+realistic&source=bl&ots=je2I6yg5by&sig=mbKYvU5lEOBLzbIM6v7HwIsSyp8&hl=en&ei=qKK7TKbBOI-gnweupcyMDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CBcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=the%20outsiders%20first%20realistic&f=false