S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders

1. S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders

2. Plot- Book Jacket In Ponyboy’s world, there were two types of people. You could be a soc, one of the rich society kids, and get away with anything. Or if you weren’t lucky you could be a greaser, like he was. Living on the outside, Ponyboy knew where his loyalties lay: with his brothers Darry and Soda, and with Johnny and their gang. Hanging out at Darry’s house, where they made their own rules or rumbling with the socs, it was the best of times. Until Johnny went too far. Defending Ponyboy’s life, Johnny pulled a knife…and a soc was dead. Johnny and Ponyboy were on the run, but they couldn’t escape the violence they left behind.

3. Setting • Oklahoma • 1960’s • West Side vs. East Side of Town • Drive-in Theatre • Vacant Lot • Church at Windrixville • Curtis House • Hospital

4. Characters • Ponyboy Michael Curtis • Johnny Cade • Dallas “Dally” Winston • Sodapop Curtis • Darrel “Darry” Curtis • Sherri “Cherry” Valance • Robert “Bob” Sheldon • Randy Adderson • Keith “Two-Bit” Mathews • Steve Randle • Tim Shepard

5. Darrel Shaynne “Darry” CurtisPlayed By Patrick Swayze in the 1983 Movie Version • 20 years old • The eldest of the Curtis boys • Tall, broad-shouldered, and muscular • Occasionally perceived as cold and uncaring, as a result of assuming the role of parental figure after the death of his parents • Roofs houses for a living • Extremely concerned about Ponyboy's grades, though not upset about Sodapop dropping out of high school. • Very bitter about the fact that he never went to college • He turned down the opportunity of a scholarship to raise Sodapop and Ponyboy • Keeps his hair cut short

6. Sodapop Patrick CurtisPlayed By Rob Lowe in the 1983 Movie Version • 16 years old • The middle Curtis brother • Extremely good looking and is an undefeated fighter • Very carefree, preferring to play around rather than do any work. • Isolates himself and smokes only when he is upset; otherwise, he is social and hyperactive. • Generally very optimistic; however, when reality hits him, he descends into an extremely deep funk. • Sodapop confides in Ponyboy and sticks up for him when Darry lectures him. He is the only person who can tease Darry and get away with it.

7. Ponyboy Michael CurtisPlayed By C. Thomas Howell in the 1983 Movie Version • 14 years old • Narrator • The youngest of the Curtis brothers • Daydreamer, painter, and a bit of a bookworm • Ponyboy watches the sunsets from his backyard and often wonders what life would be like if there were no Greasers or Socs; no labels, just people. • A heavy smoker • Star on his school's track team • Best friends with Johnny Cade • Very close relationship with his second-oldest brother, Sodapop, who he feels is the only other person, besides Johnny, that he can confide in • Likes to watch sunsets and reads Gone With The Wind, Great Expectations, and “Nothing Gold Can Stay”

8. Dallas “Dally” WinstonPlayed By Matt Dillon in the 1983 Movie Version • 17 years old • The tough guy of the group • Considered extremely dangerous • Grew up on the streets of New York and was arrested at the age of 10. Although he is not muscular, many people wouldn't fight him. • Prone to react rashly and violently, even to his friends, and avoids showing emotion as much as possible • Has a soft spot for Johnny and is very protective of him • Has been in jail

9. Johnny CadePlayed By Ralph Macchio in the 1983 Movie Version • 16 years old • Small and timid boy • Years of abuse from his parents • Carries a six-inch switchblade in his back pocket • Looks up to Dallas Winston and is prone to instability and emotional oversensitivity • Never finished school • Gang's pet, everyone's kid brother • Relies on the Greasers for the love and affection • Would do anything to protect Ponyboy • Does not have much self-confidence

10. Keith “Two-Bit” MathewsPlayed By Emilio Estevez in the 1983 Movie Version • 18 years old • Known as "Two-Bit" for so long that even his teachers have forgotten that his real name is Keith • Joker of the gang, always smiling and cracking jokes • Lives for action and fun • Finds school "entertaining." • Known as both a shoplifter and a ladies' man • Loves fighting, his stolen black-handled switchblade, blondes, and flirting

11. Steve RandlePlayed By Tom Cruise in the 1983 Movie Version • 17 years old • Thick greasy hair that he combs back "in complicated swirls." • Tall, lean, cocky, and arrogant, though smart and skilled at driving • The only one of the gang who does not care much for Ponyboy • Has been Sodapop's best friend since grade school; the two even work at the same gas station • Does not think before he speaks and sometimes says hurtful things to his friends

12. Sherri “Cherry” ValancePlayed By Diane Lane in the 1983 Movie Version • Bob Sheldon’s girlfriend • Socs • Cheerleader • Nickname comes from her fiery red hair • Sympathizes with the Greasers and becomes Ponyboy's friend • She admits to Ponyboy that she could fall in love with Dallas Winston and hoped to never see him again because of it

13. Themes(Be able to explain and support these) • Innocence • Loneliness • Family • Friendship • Social Differences • Violence/Gang Rivalry/senselessness of violence • Being an “outsider” – Trying to fit in

14. Conflicts(Be able to explain and support these) • Man vs. Man (Ponyboy vs. Darry; Greasers vs. Socs; Johnny vs. Bob) • Man vs. Society (Socs vs. Greasers) • Man vs. Himself (Dally vs. himself; Ponyboy vs. himself) • Man vs. Nature (the boys vs. the fire)