What Is The Outsiders About?

The Outsiders is a novel by S.E. Hinton, first published in 1967. The novel is about Ponyboy Curtis, a member of a lower-class gang called the Greasers, who are divided between the haves and have-nots in their Oklahoma town. The greasers are constantly at odds with the wealthier Socs, leading to a series of violent confrontations. The novel is narrated by Ponyboy, and explores themes of class warfare, family relationships, and friendship. In 1983, Francis Ford Coppola directed a film version of The Outsiders starring Matt Dillon as Ponyboy Curtis and Diane Lane as his sister Cherry Valance; it also featured Rob Lowe as Sodapop Curtis and Ralph Macchio as Johnny Cade. The film was a critical success and earned significant box office income, as well as becoming a cult classic. The Outsiders also explores themes of juvenile delinquency; the novel’s realistic portrayal of teenage violence and slang dialogue were reasons behind its banning in some schools. 8. The novel has been praised for its insights into human nature and its ability to transcend its setting to explore universal themes such as family dynamics and interpersonal relationships. The Outsiders is considered one of the most influential novels of the 20th century; it has been taught in schools around the world since its publication in 1967.