the outsiders analysis

MRS. K. CRUZ

8TH GRADE ENGLISH

Part I: AUTHOR’S FACTS and

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

By the time she was 17 years old, Susan Eloise Hinton was a published author. While still in high school in her hometown--Tulsa, Oklahoma--Hinton put in words what she saw and felt growing up and called it The Outsiders, a now classic story of two sets of high school rivals, the Greasers and the Socs (for society kids).

Because her hero was a Greaser and an outsider, and her tale was one of gritty realism, Hinton launched a revolution in young adult literature.

Since her narrator was a boy, Hinton's publishers suggested that she publish under the name of S. E. Hinton; they feared their readers wouldn't respect a "macho" story written by a woman.

Hinton says today, "I don't mind having two identities; in fact, I like keeping the writer part separate in some ways. And since my alter ego is clearly a 15-year-old boy, having an authorial self that doesn't suggest a gender is just fine with me."

Today, more than twenty-five years after its first publication, The Outsiders ranks as a classic, still widely read, and one of the most important and taboo-breaking books in the field.

Finally someone was writing about the real concerns and emotions of a teenager. The Outsiders marked the beginning of a new kind of realism in books written for the young adult market, and Hinton's next four books followed suit.

Once published, The Outsiders gave her a lot of publicity and fame, and also a lot of pressure.

S.E. Hinton was becoming known as "The Voice of the Youth" among other titles. This kind of pressure and publicity resulted in a 3 year long writer's block.

She wrote her second book while she was in college at the University of Tulsa, studying to be a teacher.

"I don't have the nerve or physical stamina to teach," she says. "I did my student teaching, but I couldn't leave the kids and their problems behind me; I'd go home and worry about them. I think people who are good teachers do one of the most important jobs there is; I can't praise them highly enough."

David Inhofe, who is now her husband, was her boyfriend then and was instrumental in helping her get her second book written. Hinton was suffering from writer's block.

Inhofe refused to go out with her at night unless she wrote two pages during the day, and slowly but steadily, over four months, she compiled the manuscript that became That Was Then, This is Now, a story of drugs, delinquency, and a tough kid making a tough decision.

She and David were married in 1970; the second book was published in 1971.

Hinton’s books include: The OutsidersThat was Then, This is NowRumble FishTexTaming The Star Runner

The Outsiders was published in 1967, a restless time in the United States when teenagers were outspoken and rebellious.

They hated the Vietnam War and the establishment that caused it to continue. They resented the fact that young people from minorities and underprivileged backgrounds were not given opportunities to succeed.

To voice their dissatisfaction , they had sit-ins and protests; many became hippies, and other turned to drugs. It was this society that formed the background for Hinton’s novel.

TIMELINE

PART I: AUTHOR FACTS AND HISTORICAL

INFORMATION

In your notebooks, write:Title: Part I: Author Facts and Historical Information Then answer the following questions:1. After reading the previous slides, write down four (4)

of your favorite facts about the author S. E. Hinton.2. Which fact surprises you the most? Explain.3. How does the timeline influenced your view on

Hinton’s inspiration?4. Why is it important to understand the historical

period of a novel?

PART II: LITERARY TERMSIN YOUR NOTEBOOKS, WRITE PART II: LITERARY TERMS.LIST OF WORDS IN THIS SLIDE AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. DEFINE each term.

2. Provide an example of the term from a past novel that you have read.

a. allusion f. atmosphere k. dialect

b. dialogue g. flashback l. irony

c. hero/heroine h. foreshadowing m. tragedy

d. characterization i. motive/motivation n. suspense

e. surprise ending j. realistic fiction o. bildungsroman

SECTION ICHAPTERS 1-3

CHAPTER 1: Exposition

PLOT OUTINE:As Ponyboy Curtis walks home from a movie, a group of Socs jump him. His brother Darry comes to the rescue; other members of the gang soon follow. Ponyboy describes himself, his brothers, and his fellow greasers.

Comprehension Questions:1.Why does Ponyboy feel more comfortable with Sodapop that with Darrel?2. How are the are the greasers different from hoods and Socs?3. Why do four Socs attack Ponyboy?

INSTRUCTIONS FOR VOCABULARY EXERCISES1.Each chapter has a vocabulary.2.Each vocabulary will be worth 25 points.3.These will be averaged to give you a grade for vocabulary per section.4.Please make sure that you email all your vocabulary exercises (all chapters in the section) the day before the section quiz.

CHAPTER 1: Vocabulary

1.Disgrace – page 32.Madras – page 53.Muttered – page 54.Cowlick – page 65.Reckless – page 76.Bawl – page 87.Quivering – page 98.Unfathomable – page 109.Rarities – page 1110.Savvy – page 17

Exercise:1.Find the definition of the word (you may use an online dictionary).2.Find the word in context (inside the novel, page is provided).3.Compare the meaning of the word with the use in context.4.Write 2 sentences using the word. Total: 25 points.

PART III: SETTINGSetting: is the time and place of the action. Includes all the details of a place and time: year, time, day, weather, country, state, region, community…etc.It serves as a backdrop- a context in which characters interact.Can also help create a feeling, or atmosphere.

SETTING: THE OUTSIDERS

Time: during the 1960s, more specifically 1965.

The bulk of the story takes place during a 10 day period in the fall.


Place: Unknown City , unknown state. Yet, we have evidence of it being in the United States.

The different places in the novel help symbolize the conflict (East Side/West Side) and the growing process of the characters (Country/City and Church).


Place: Even though the place is not specific, because we know that the story is based on things that happened to S.E. Hinton, it is often believed that the setting is based on Hinton’s hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Setting: The Outsiders: Other SettingsThe Drive-In

The Dingo

The Park

The Church in Windrixville

Setting: The Outsiders: Map of Town

PART III: SETTINGIn your notebooks, write Part II: Setting.

Then answer the following questions:

1. How does the author establish the setting?

2. Does the images of the settings you just saw explain the details that described them in the novel?

3. After recognizing the different settings in the story, how do you think they influenced the story?

4. Could this story take place in another setting? Why, or why not? Explain.

CHAPTER 2: Exposition

PLOT OUTINE:Dally, Johnny, and Ponyboy meet two Socs girls, Marcia and Cherry, at the drive-in. Johnny stands up to Dally when he acts threateningly toward Cherry. Ponyboy tells Cherry about the time a group of Socs badly beat up Johnny.

Comprehension Questions:1.How is Cherry different from the girls Pony is used to?2.Why do the greasers think Johnny Cade is special?3.Why does Ponyboy tell Cherry the story of Johnny’s beating?


1.roguishly – page 222.winced– page 233.incredulous – page 244.scowled– page 245.nonchalant – page 256.scatterbrained – page 277.Shanghai(ing)– page 288.heaters – page 29


CHAPTER 3: Rising Action (inciting incident)

PLOT OUTINE:Ponyboy, Johnny, and Two-Bit offer to take Cherry and Marcia home, but the girls’ Soc boyfriends intercept them. Ponyboy, and Johnny walk to a vacant lot, where they talk and fall asleep. When Pony returns home past his curfew, he and Darry have an argument; Ponyboy runs away and rejoins Johnny at the lot.

Comprehension Questions:1.Why does Cherry choose to ride home with Bob?2. Compare and Contrast the family situations of Ponyboy and Johnny.3. Why does Ponyboy run away from home?


1.gallantly – page 372.aloofness – page 383.ornery– page 394.elite – page 415.dumfounded – page 426.cunning– page 43


PART IV: CHARACTERS

PROTAGONIST:

IS THE MAIN CHARACTER IN A LITERARY WORK. ANTAGONIST:

IS A CHARACTER OR A FORCE IN CONFLICT WITH A MAIN CHARACTER, OR PROTAGONIST.

Ponyboy Curtis: Protagonist 14 yr. old, narrator. Greaser, lost his parents in an accident, lives

with his 2 older brothers

PART IV: CHARACTERS

GreasersDarrell Curtis – a.k.a. “Darry;” Ponyboy’s oldest brotherSodapop Curtis – the middle Curtis boy; has good looks & charmTwo-Bit Matthews – (Keith) joker of the group

GREASERS

Steve Randle – Soda’s best friendDally Winston – the toughest

“hood” in the groupJohnny Cade – 16 yrs. old; the

heart of the Greasers

SOCS: CALLED SOCS BECAUSE OF THE NAME SOCIALS.Cherry Valance – Bob’s girlfriend; a cheerleader

Ponyboy meets at the moviesMarcia – Cherry’s friend & Randy’s girlfriendRandy Adderson – Marcia’s boyfriend and

Bob’s best friendBob Sheldon – Cherry’s boyfriend; beats up

Johnny b/f book begins

SUPPORTING CHARACTERS

Tim Shepard– leader of another band of greasers

Curly Shepard – Tim’s brotherJerry Wood – Adult who helps (in a

way) Ponyboy & JohnnyPaul Holden – Soc who was Darry’s

friend and teammate in high schoolMr. Syme – Ponyboy’s English

Teacher

EXTRA-CREDIT: CHARACTER MAP

Design a character map that describes each character’s personality and appearance and illustrates the relationships between the characters and the protagonist. The map must begin with the protagonist. Deadline: October 25th.

SECTION I QUIZ

Quiz for Section I will include:1.Characters2.Vocabulary Words3.Questions about the chapter 1-3.4.Setting: Map of Town

SECTION I QUIZ

Take out a pen or pencil to answer your quiz. You will have 15 minutes.

SECTION II: CHAPTERS 4-6

CHAPTER 4: Rising Action (escalation)

PLOT OUTINE:Five drunk Socs attack Ponyboy in the park; one of the Soc holds Ponyboy’s head under water in a fountain. To save Ponyboy, Johnny stabs Bob, one of the Socs, accidentally killing him. With Dallas’s help, Johnny and Ponyboy flee to an abandoned church outside town.

Comprehension Questions:1.What happens to Johnny and Ponyboy in the park?2. How does Johnny’s past experience with the Socs affect his behavior in the park?3. How does Dally help Johnny and Ponyboy after the murder?


1.unceasingly – page 562.apprehensive – page 593.defiance – page 594.ruefully – page 605.reformatory – page 656.premonition – page 67


PART V: POINT OF VIEWPoint of View: the vantage point by which the narrative is revealed from author to reader. It can change from book to book and can be from 1st, or 3rd person. 3rd person can be omniscient or limited.

PART V: POINT OF VIEW POV: is told in

a First Person (1st).

The character revealing all the information is Ponyboy, who is our protagonist.

CHAPTER 5: Rising Action

PLOT OUTINE:Johnny and Ponyboy hide out in the church for several days. Dallas visits, bringing a letter from Sodapop and news of a coming rumble in which greasers and hoods will fight against the Socs. He takes Johnny and Ponyboy out to lunch.

Comprehension Questions:1.How does Ponyboy feel about changing his hairstyle?2.Why does Gone with the Wind hold special importance for Johnny?3.In the poem that Pony recites, what do the words “Nothing Gold can stay” mean?


1.groggy – page 692.reluctantly – page 713.imploringly – page 724.sullenly – page 735.quavering – page 746.eluded – page 787.vital – page 808.indignant – page 809.hauled – page 81


"NOTHING GOLD CAN STAY“ BY ROBERT FROST

Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf's a flower;

But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.

"STAY GOLD“ BY STEVIE WONDER

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3QhA2WiyFI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3QhA2WiyFI

INTERPRETING THE FROST POEM

In your notebooks, answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1. What do you think the poem, “Nothing Gold Can Stay” means? Use at least two direct quotes (lines) from the poem in your answer of 4-6 sentences.

2. Johnny writes a note to Ponyboy and places it in Ponyboy’s book, Gone With the Wind. The note explains Johnny’s interpretation of “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” What is his interpretation? How does it relates to your interpretation?

3. Compare the meaning of the poem with the lyrics of the song.

CHAPTER 6: Climax

PLOT OUTINE:Returning from lunch, Ponyby, Johnny, and Dally find the church in flames. Ponyboy and Johnny rescue five school-children trapped inside; Johnny is critically injured by the collapsing church. Later, in the hospital, Ponyboy warmly reconciles with Darry.

Comprehension Questions:1.Why does Johnny decide to turn himself in?2.Why do Ponyby and Johnny save the children in the church?3.How does Ponyboy’s relationship with Darry change in the hospital?


1.surveyed – page 862.bewilderment – page 883.conviction – page 894.tangle – page 895.hesitation – page 906.defeated – page 927.plasma– page 958.hysterics – page 96


PART VI: CONFLICTIs a struggle between opposing forces.Is one of the most important elements of stories, novels, and plays.It causes the action.

2 Kinds if Conflict:Internal – External4 Types of Conflict:Human vs. Human

Self Society Nature

PART VI: CONFLICTIn your notebooks, write Section VI: Conflict. Then answer the following questions.

1. What is the main conflict(s) in The Outsiders?

2. List the main kind and type of conflict.

3. Mention any minor conflicts that have appeared so far.

SECTION II QUIZ

Quiz for Section II will include:1.Vocabulary Words; use in context with the sentence.2.Questions about the chapter 4-6.

SECTION II QUIZ


GROUP PROJECT ACTIVITY # 1Create a creative poster that displays

each group’s specific codes, style, and rules.

It can be collage style, and you can use quotes, drawings, symbols, and photos.

Highest Scoring Poster will be awarded 1 extra minute in the rumble.

SECTION III: CHAPTERS 7-9

CHAPTER 7: Falling Action

PLOT OUTINE:Ponyboy learns that Johnny’s back is broken. Back at home, Ponyboy reads a newspaper report praising his and Johnny’s heroism, but also learns that Johnny is charged with manslaughter. Later, Ponyboy has a heart-to-heart talk with Randy, a Soc.

Comprehension Questions:1.How is the Curtis Brothers’ relationship in danger?2.What does the Curtis home mean to Darry, Sodapop, Pony, and the rest of the greasers?3.How does Ponyboy’s view of Randy Adderson change after their talk?


1.mimicking– page 1002.radiates– page 1013.bleak– page 1034.drawled – page 1065.cocksure – page 1096.recurring – page 1107.aghast– page 1128.exploits – page 1139.contemptuously – page 115


CHAPTER 8: Falling Action

PLOT OUTINE:Two-Bit and Ponyboy visit Johnny and Dally at the hospital. On the way home, they run into Cherry and discuss rules for the upcoming battle.

Comprehension Questions:1.Why does Johnny ask for a copy of Gone with the Wind?2.Why doesn’t Johnny want to see his mother?3.What are the rules for the rumble?


1.numbly– page 1192.faltered – page 1213.resemblance – page 1234.divert – page 1255.doggedly – page 127


CHAPTER 9: Falling Action (suspense)PLOT OUTINE:The greasers get ready for the rumble; at the vacant lot, they join forces with the hoods and win the fight against the Socs. Dally takes Ponyboy to the hospital to see Johnny. After they talk briefly with him, Johnny dies and Dally rushes off in agony.Comprehension Questions:1.Why do the greasers roughhouse, chant and sing before the rumble?2.What does Johnny mean when he tells Pony to “stay gold”?3.How do Ponyboy and Daly react to Johnny’s death?


1.mortal – page 1342.grimacing – page 1343.affectionately – page 1354.superiority – page 1355.menace – page 1366.conformity – page 1377.stifled– page 1378.leery – page 1399.contempt – page 14210.contracted – page 14911.agony – page 149


SECTION VII: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IN THE OUTSIDERS IN YOUR NOTEBOOK, WRITE SECTION VI: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT.

THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

1. Split into your groups.

2. Go to edline page and download the Character Types worksheet.

3. Answer the worksheet.

4. First group to complete the activity will be awarded ½ a minute in the rumble.

SECTION III QUIZ

Quiz for Section III will include:1.Vocabulary Words; testing their use. 2.Questions about the chapter 7-9; it will be a True or False and why.

SECTION III QUIZ


GROUP ACTIVITY # 2Cliques and Stereotypes

Each group will create a short power point or prezi presentation on how can cliques and

stereotypes be avoided in school. Use the edline information to help you understand the negative side of these

concepts. Highest Scoring Presentation will be awarded

1 extra minute in the rumble.

SECTION IV: CHAPTERS 10-12

CHAPTER 10: Denouement

PLOT OUTINE:Ponyboy returns home and informs the gang that Johnny is dead. The police shoot Dally to death after he robs a store. Ponyboy passes out and is delirious for several days.

Comprehension Questions:1.Why does Dally rob the grocery story?2.What does Ponyboy mean when he says Dally “died gallant”?3.How do Darry and Soda react to Ponyboy’s illness?


1.stupor – page 1502.vaguely – page 1533.concussion – page 1564.delirious – page 1575.clad – page 158


CHAPTER 11: Denounement

PLOT OUTINE:After a week in bed, Ponyboy gets a visit from Randy. They talk about going to court, and Pony tries to blame himself for Bob’s murder.

Comprehension Questions:1.Why does Randy visit Ponyboy at his house?2.How does Bob’s yearbook picture affect Ponyboy?3.Why does Darry tell Pony to stop smoking and to neaten up the house?


1.idolized– page 1622.cocky – page 1623.remark– page 1644.liable – page 165


CHAPTER 12: Conclusion

PLOT OUTINE:At the court hearing, the judge acquits Ponyboy and allows Darry to continue as his brother’s guardian. Ponyboy is dazed and apathetic until he reads a letter that Johnny wrote to him just before he died. Deeply stirred, Ponyboy begins writing an English composition about all that has happened in the past week.Comprehension Questions:1.Why does Ponyboy neglect is schoolwork?2.What is Johnny’s main message in his letter to Pony?3.What finally makes Ponyboy begin writing his English theme?


1.flinching – page 1682.acquitted – page 1683.composition– page 1694.roundabout – page 1705.corny – page 1726.veered – page 1757.vast – page 179


PART VIII: BILDUNGSROMAN IN YOUR NOTEBOOK, WRITE SECTION VIII: BILDUNGSROMAN

THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.


2. Go to edline page and download the Bildungsroman worksheet.


4. First group to complete the activity will be awarded ½ a minute in the rumble.

PART IX: PLOT DEVELOPMENT IN THE OUTSIDERS

PART IX: PLOT DEVELOPMENT

In your notebook, write Plot Development then answer the following questions.

1.Define plot.

2.What three things does the plot do?

3.What is the major conflict in The Outsiders?

4.List several minor conflicts in The Outsiders.

5.What scene is the climax of the plot? Describe it briefly.

6. How is the major conflict resolved?

PART IX: PLOT DEVELOPMENT


2. Go to edline page and download the Bildungsroman worksheet.


PART X: THEME, MOTIFS, AND SYMBOLS

the central or dominating idea in

a literary work.

A recurrent image, word,

phrase, theme, character or

illustration in a story.

The use of specific objects or images

to represent abstract ideas.

The Outsiders is a book that shows that “beneath the trappings of madras or

leather, individual hearts have much in common.”

PART X: THEME IN THE OUTSIDERS IN YOUR NOTEBOOK, WRITE PART X: THEME, MOTIFS, AND SYMBOLS. THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

1. Define theme.

2. Describe at least three themes expressed in The Outsiders that can be applied to our everyday life (place a star by the most important).

THEMES, MOTIFS, & SYMBOLS

ThemesBridging the Gap Between Rich and

PoorHonor Among the Lawless The Importance of Friendship Appearance vs. Reality

Remember, themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas

explored in a literary work.


Motifs in The Outsiders: LiteratureEye Shape & ColorPonyboy’s Losses of Consciousness

Symbols:Two-Bit’s Switchblade Cars Bob’s Rings Greaser Hair


SECTION IV QUIZ

Quiz for Section IV will include:1.Vocabulary Words; tested for definition. 2.Questions about the chapter 10-12; it will be a True or False.

SECTION IV QUIZ


PART XI: FAMOUS QUOTES FROM THE OUTSIDERS IN YOUR NOTEBOOK, WRITE FAMOUS QUOTES. THEN, DO THE FOLLOWING EXERCISE.

1. Find the person who says the following quotes.

2. Mention the chapter and context in which the quote appears.

a) “I can’t stand fights…I can’t stand them…”

b) “I think I like it better when the old man’s hitting me.”

c) “He’s hard as a rock and about as human… He thinks I’m a pain in the neck.”

d) “Rat race is a perfect name for it. We’re always going and going and going, and never asking where.”

e) “There is sure a lot of blood in people.”

PART XI: FAMOUS QUOTES

f) “If they win, thing go on as usual. If we do, they stay outta our territory but good.”

g) “To have somebody lay down the law, set the limits, give him something solid to stand on. That’s what we all want, really.”

h) “Things were rough all over, but it was better that way. That way you could tell the other guy was human too.”

i) “ Why do people sell liquor to boys? Why? I know there’s a law against it, but kids get it anyway.”

j) “…you don’t just stop living because you lose someone. I thought you knew that by now. You don’t quit!”

REMEMBER

Final Activities:

1. The Rumble schedule will be:

a. Group # 1: Wednesday, October 23

b. Group # 2: Thursday, October 24

c. Group # 3: Friday, October 25

2. Do and bring your character map on the day of final evaluation for extra-credit bonus.

Blessings and Blessings and Stay Gold!Stay Gold!

the outsiders analysis

Documents

rarities page

muttered page

unfathomable page

cowlick page

quivering page

reckless page

bawl page

madras page