In 7th Grade, one of the highlights of the Language Arts experience is reading the legendary novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. This book was also followed by a film adaptation from 1983 that many fans love to watch to this day. The legacy of this book changed many people’s lives, including the star-bound cast.
S.E. Hinton
Susan Eloise Hinton wrote The Outsiders in her years of high school and published it at 18 years old in 1967. Growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Hinton noticed the rivalry between social groups in her own community, and the novel was even based on something one of her own friends experienced. When publishing the book, she went under a ‘pen name’ to attract a larger male audience instead of going by her full name.
‘The Outsiders’: Legendary YA Novel
Hinton’s debut novel shook the world. Frequently challenged, the book also commonly arrives on lists of banned books because of its depictions of gang violence, language, among other things. This book amazingly characterizes both Greasers and the Socs and accurately shows the emotion and sensitivity in the boy Greasers when it was not common. The story follows Ponyboy Curtis’s mind and his struggles as a Greaser when it comes to the Socs. In the novel Ponyboy, Johnny Cade, and their gang (their friend group) have to overcome an emotional whirlwind incident with the Socs.
‘The Outsiders’ 1983 Film
It’s safe to say that the film adaptation not only further pushed and expanded the audience of the novel but also helped many actors start their acting careers. This cast includes legend Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise, Ralph Macchio, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Matt Dillon, and C. Thomas Howell stars as Ponyboy Curtis. The original (more condensed version) of the film was released in 1983, but The Outsiders: Complete Novel was later released in 2005, including cut scenes from the earlier movie, making it more true to the book. The movie is always an instant classic.
Reading the Outsiders is completely different from teaching it. To get a second perspective, interviewing Ms.Gray is a great way to learn what a teacher’s view of the book is! Ms.Gray is a 7th-grade ELA teacher here at TMS who knows a lot about The Outsiders.
How long have you been teaching The Outsiders?
“This is my 10th year!”
Did you like the book or the movie before teaching it? If so, has your view changed after teaching it for so many years?
“I liked both of them before teaching it, but after teaching it for so many years, I’ve definitely liked the book even more.”
Which did you do first? Watch the movie or read the book?
“Read the book.”
Out of the book or movie, which one do you feel is better?
“The book is always better.”
Out of the gang, which character is your favorite/resonates with you the most?
“I would say that Dallas Winston is my favorite. I don’t necessarily resonate with him, but I feel that he’s like the most complex character, and I think there’s so much more to learn from Dally than the other ones.”
What’s your favorite thing about teaching/reading the book, and watching the movie with your classes?
“I think it’s fun just to see how excited the kids get, and having something that the kids are truly engaged in is rewarding.”
The Outsiders is something nobody will forget. Have you read the book already? Who’s your favorite character? Leave a comment!
Works Cited
Matthias, Meg. “The Outsiders | Novel, Characters, Author, Ponyboy, & Stay Gold | Britannica.” Www.britannica.com, 8 Jan. 2024, www.britannica.com/topic/The-Outsiders-by-Hinton.
“The Outsiders: The Complete Novel’s Restoration Proves Some Things Gold Can Stay.” Paste Magazine, 24 Mar. 2023, www.pastemagazine.com/movies/francis-ford-coppola/the-outsiders-complete-novel-4k-restoration. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Tikkanen, Amy. “S.E. Hinton | Full Name, Writing, the Outsiders, & Facts | Britannica.” Www.britannica.com, 12 May 2023, www.britannica.com/biography/S-E-Hinton.
