The OutsidersS.E. Hinton began writing the novel when she
was 15 and did most of the work on it at age 16. It was published when she was 18.
It was ranked #38 on the American Library Association’s Top 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–1999.
This book has been banned from some schools and libraries because of the portrayal of gang violence, underage smoking and drinking, as well as strong language/slang and family dysfunction.
Fun Facts S.E. Hinton never
planned on publishing the novel
The two gangs in the novel were inspired by rival gangs at her school in Tulsa, OK
Susan Eloise Hinton used her initials to publish the novel to avoid gender bias
All of Hinton’s novels are written from a male p.o.v.
Tough vs. Tuff
Tough“Tough is the
same as rough.”
Tuff“Tuff means
cool, sharp – like a tuff-looking Mustang or a tuff record.”
Character AnalysisAfter reading Chapter 1 as a class, you will write
a character analysis on the character of your choice.
Your analysis must contain the following:A brief physical descriptionA personality analysis2 pieces of text evidenceAn illustration
Sample Character Analysis: Darry CurtisDarry Curtis is the six-foot-two older brother
of Ponyboy and Sodapop Curtis. He is described as “broad-shouldered and muscular,” with “dark-brown hair that kicks out in front” (p.6). His eyes are described as cold and determined like “two pieces of pale blue-green ice” (p.6). His role as Ponyboy and Sodapop’s caregiver makes him appear older than age 20. The text states that he “uses his head,” and he “doesn’t understand anything that is not plain hard fact” (p.7).
Chapter 2What would you say?
After reading chapter 2, you will be writing about one of the characters we have met through the first two chapters.
Following the model below, you will write about something that you would discuss with any of the characters from chapters 1 & 2. It will be your choice on the character and what you will talk about--all you need to do is fill in the blanks (If I could speak with ___________, I would tell (ask) him/her ___________________ ) and then explain why.
Examples:
If I could speak with Ponyboy , I would ask him why he decided to be a greaser... (Then provide reasons why you would ask this)
If I could tell Dally something, I would tell him that he needs to grow up...
If I could talk to Cherry , I would praise her for her free thinking...
In your response, include one piece of text (directly from the novel) that relates to the topic you are speaking about. This will be done in your writer’s books with the proper heading and the title "What would you say?”.Complete at least FIVE (5) Post-Its while you read.
Turn and Talk
Chapter 2
P. 24
Why does Dally react differently to Johnny Than he would to any
of the other gang?
Turn and Talk
Chapter 2
P. 35
What does Cherry mean by “things are rough all over”? What sort of problems might
she face?
Life GraphThe good and the bad
10 minutes
What are the best and worst things that have happened to me, either personally or in the world? Directly or indirectly? (13 reasons within the first
13 years of life)
Writer’s Book heading:
POSITIVE/NEGATIVE Life Graph
Positive/Negative Life Graph
The OutsidersYou will be assigned a character to complete a
Positive/Negative life graph for. We will continually add to these life graphs while we read and draw a life graph for our character once we complete the
novel. You will record events in your writer’s notebooks.