Saint Ursula Academy
The Outsiders
Liz Meyers & Meg Mellott
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Ponyboy Curtis grows up thinking that there are only two kinds of people in society,
greasers and socs. A soc, which is short for “social”, has money, can get away
with anything, and has a huge attitude. On the other hand, a greaser always
lives on the outside and needs to watch his back. Ponyboy is a greaser and proud
of it. He is always willing to fight
anyone for a fellow greaser. This heroic attitude all changes one night when
his friend Johnny kills a soc; Ponyboy is devastated. The murder causes
Ponyboy’s world to fall apart. He learns that pain affects everyone equally, regardless
of social status.
From the time it was published in 1967, the novel has been both
honored and condemned. The Outsiders was first challenged in Milwaukee.
There are many reasons for its challenging, including violence, language, drug
and alcohol abuse, and the status of the characters in the book. Later on, The
Outsiders was banned. In some schools the novel was taught, yet in others
it was not. The Outsiders is on the American Library Association’s list
of “most frequently challenged books.”
Some of the most
common reasons for banning The Outsiders is for the profanity and
teenage violence in the book. Parents generally worry that their children are
being exposed to things they aren't prepared for and insist their schools pull
it from the curriculum. However, some say it promotes unchristian values,
though most people (hypocritically) that make such a claim haven't read the
book themselves, therefore, they are unable to see the deeper meaning of the
novel, and judge the book based on the information that others spread to them
about the novel.
Importance of the Novel
The Outsiders introduces
children to the adult nature of the real world. It does this in a mature manner
and in a way that the children reading the book enjoy how S.E. Hinton
incorporates the material. Also, it has been proven through research that most
all young teens and teenagers that read The Outsiders enjoy the novel.
Because of this, they will be further inclined to read many more books and
become literate and intelligent.
Slang Words
The following are slang words
that are used frequently by the Greasers throughout the novel:
·
Booze- any type of alcohol (beer)
·
Cooler- Jail
·
Cancer
Stick- Cigarette
·
Weed- Marijuana
·
Hacked
Off- Angry/
Upset
·
Heater- Pistol
·
Fly- Attractive, Cute
·
Fuzz- Police
·
Jumped- Attacked
·
Lift- To Take, To Steal
·
Lighting
Up- Lighting a
Cigarette
·
Lone
It- To Leave
Something, or Someone, Alone
·
Rank- Abnormal, Unusual, A Gross Stench
·
Rolled- To Rob
·
Rumble- A Deadly Fight Between Gangs
·
Scrap- To Fight
·
Tuff- Cool, With It
Interview
The following is an Interview that was taken with Ms. Catherine Meyers,
an Enrichment teacher of the Seventh and Eighth Grades at Saint Dominic School,
along with Our Lady of the Visitation School, in Cincinnati, Ohio on the importance of teaching The Outsiders in the classroom.
(Ms. Meyers’ answers to the interview are stated in red)
1.
What do you think students will be able
to gain by reading The Outsiders?
I think they will be able to
notice their place in society. I think the novel will teach them how much of an
impact one person can have on another, or a group’s life. One person, one
action, and one sentence can change another’s life. The group emphasizes
innocence, and I think that’s really easy to forget. We all need to be reminded
about honesty, along with innocence.
2.
At what age do you think it is
appropriate to read the novel? Why?
I
think that it would be appropriate to teach the novel to 12,13, or 14 year
olds. During this time in a student’s life, they are going through not only
physical, but also emotional changes.
During this change they should read The Outsiders, because it reminds
its reader to stay true to yourself while growing up. This is very hard for
adolescents, but it is crucial that they do not forget this important fact.
Teaching it to my Seventh Graders, I feel that they get the most out of the
novel, because they are able to connect the best with the characters. However,
I think that after you read the book once during your adolescent years, you
should read it every couple of years so that you remind yourself to stay true
to yourself despite all the changes, influences, and conflicts that you are
faced with in life.
3. What was your reaction when you
found out that the book was being challenged?
I
thought it was very sad. I don’t think any work that has been published should
be banned. Especially literature, because they are supposed to invoke
criticism.
4. What do you think the main reason
for its challenging was?
I
think the main reason for banning was how graphic it is. Before reading this
novel, I was reading novels such as Anne of Green Gables. It is a much more
mature read and it really shows how some societies live. Its explicit content
(rumbles, violence, fighting, etc) In my opinion, is too much for some people
to be able to handle, or realize.
5. Do you think that the novel relates
to society today?
Not
as much now as it was evident in the 1960’s.
Then, it was more common that people rumbled. Also, people, usually of
the lower class, had characteristics physically that the Greasers possess. (The
slicked back, greasy hair, leather jackets with white t-shirts, tight jeans,
etc) However I still see some characteristics that are similar to society
today. Domestic violence is common amongst broken families (especially with a
mother’s boyfriend and her child/ children) This usually leads to the child
running away. Also, I do see economic differences that leads to social
differences. Society does not, still, accept poor individuals. Especially poor
children.
7. How do you feel about books being
banned?
I
am against books being banned, or censored at all.
8. Who is your favorite character in The
Outsiders? Why?
Personally, I’ve found myself caught in a
tie between Ponyboy and Johnny. I really enjoy the character of Ponyboy because
it is so neat to see his transition from a thuggish gang member to an
intelligent young man with potential to do great things. I love how his
intelligence and compassion shines, and how Hinton shows his innocence despite
his tough attitude, and appearance. Also, I really enjoy the character of
Johnny. The whole time that I read the novel, I sympathisized and I always
found myself on Johnny’s side. I think I did because of how troubled his home
life was (the beatings) I can understand why all the greasers were so
protective of him. I felt sympathetic towards him in every situation he was
caught up in.
10. Why do you think The Outsiders
should not be banned?
Controversial subjects should be open for
discussion and thought. We should not bury our heads in the sand and pretend
that difficult/ uncomfortable situations do not exist in the world. The only
way to for things to improve in the world is to bring the problems out of the
light, not bury them.
For Teachers
The Outsiders is usually
taught to middle school students. At this age, students are going through
similar transitions as Ponyboy, Johnny, and other Greasers. This is a time where students are starting
to mature and are able to read between the lines. By emphasizing the main points of The Outsiders , such as
keeping innocence throughout your life, along with staying true to what you
believe in and staying true to yourself. This is such an important novel to
teach students that are in the process of going through as many changes, both
physically and emotionally, because the students are able to gain important
life lessons. At this period in their
lives, many students face serious conflicts with their friends and society.
Many feel like “Outsiders” because they feel like they have to be a certain
image and they feel like they have to change themselves in order to fit in.
This adolescent stage is extremely difficult in the growing up process.
Adolescents are often shy, hesitant to participate, unsure of themselves, and
they often feel awkward in many different situations.
While teaching this
novel to students, teachers must be very open to discussion. By discussing the
situations that the Greasers find themselves in, teachers are able to identify
how the students, themselves, feel about the society they live in and how they
feel about the cruelty society has for others, that do not meet society’s
standards or “fit in.” Through
discussion, teachers can listen to how their students feel about their life,
and growing up process. The students are able to identify their own feelings,
however, they feel comfortable about sharing their feelings with the rest of
the class because they put their feelings through Ponyboy’s, or Johnny’s voice.
When reading the novel
with your class, be sure to take time and read the novel slowly. By taking time
to understand the novel, students are able to find reason as to why each
character behaves and acts the way that he, or she, does. Also, the students will be able to identify
the real meaning in the novel, versus the controversial words that appear to
the student’s eyes. The student will be able to “read between the lines,” and
connect with the characters, and see the connection with themselves and their
society as they examine the characters, their actions, and their society.
For Parents
The Outsiders is, in fact, a very graphic novel. It portrays
violence, illicit drug useage, underage consumption, etc. as being acceptable
and permitable behavior. However, at this stage in your child’s life they are
going through many difficult changes. These changes often alter their moods,
along with their appearance. At this early stage in their life, your children
are able to see where they fit in society. Children often question their place
in their lives, and doubt themselves. It is very common for children to doubt
themselves, feel unhappy, and act out. The reason that many children act this
way is because the children feel like “Outsiders” They feel like they are not
accepted, not only by society, but also
by their friends and family. Although they may be, they feel like they must
change who they are in order to fit in. This is a very hard, awkward struggle
for many children. Parents, adolescent years are very uncomfortable, and they
need help feeling love and accepted through their tough growing up process.
S.E. Hinton wrote the
novel at the young age of only sixteen years old. At this time in her life, she
was undergoing changes similar to those changes of adolescent sons and
daughters. However, in her novel, she emphasizes the need for all children and
individuals to “stay gold.” This may sound like a novel fact, however, as your
students examine The Outsiders , it becomes clear that Hinton’s purpose
of writing the novel was to exemplify how it is necessary, while growing up, to
stay true to what you believe in and to stay true to yourself, no matter how
you feel about yourself, and how that your child feels that they fit in society.
Parents, it is key, that as your child studies the novel, that you are familiar with it also. By becoming familiar with the novel, you will be able to communicate deeply with your child and see how they feel about the novel, and how they relate to it. Not only will you be able to understand the characters such as Sodapop, Dally, and Ponyboy, but you will also be able to understand your child and their actions, along with the feelings that they are currently going through.
For Students
As an early teenager, reading The
Outsiders is one of the most exciting books to read. Kids that read this novel
become more interested in reading many other varieties of books and, because of
this, become more educated and intellectual. Despite some its adult nature, the
novel is a great one for teens. Most importantly, kids learn many life lessons
throughout the novel that they can look back on ten years after reading the
book. Enjoy the nature of the novel,
but at the same time, really investigate each character and take into account
their motives, and reasons for actings as they do=.
Websites
The Outsiders, Teen and Life Choices Game
