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The Outsiders Study Guide

by S. E. Hinton

The Outsiders study guide contains a biography of author S. E. Hinton, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Ponyboy Curtis, the fourteen-year-old narrator, lives with his older brothers Sodapop and Darry, since their parents passed away in a car accident. They are all members of a Greaser gang, meaning they are considered hoods or juvenile delinquents by society. Other than being financially and socially disadvantaged, the Greasers' main problem is getting jumped by the Socs, the rich kids from the West Side. The other members of the Greaser gang are Johnny Cade, Dally Winston, Two-Bit Mathews, and Steve Randle.

One night at the drive-in theater, Ponyboy, Johnny, Two-Bit, and Dally meet Cherry Valance and Marcia, two Soc girls whose boyfriends have left them there. Ponyboy makes a connection with Cherry because they can both appreciate sunsets; it…

Read the full The Outsiders Summary

• The Outsiders Summary
• About The Outsiders
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Quotes and Analysis
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 1 and 2
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter 3
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter 4
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter 5
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter 6
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 7 and 8
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter 9
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 10 and 11
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter 12
• Films based on S.E. Hinton's novels
• Related Links on The Outsiders
• Suggested Essay Questions
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• The Outsiders: Major Themes
• The Outsiders: Questions
• The Outsiders: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• S. E. Hinton: Biography