What Is The Setting of The Outsiders?

The story is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1965 and revolves around the conflict between two groups of teens—the “socs” (short for “socialites”) and the “greasers.” The “socs” are wealthier kids who live on the west side of town, while the “greasers” are poorer kids who live on the east side. The plot centers on Ponyboy Curtis, a greaser who is beaten up by a group of socs after one of them catches him with his girl. Johnny Cade and Two-Bit Mathews retaliate against the socs by attacking and hospitalizing one of them. As a result of the attack—in which Johnny, Ponyboy and two other greasers were charged with first-degree murder—the greasers are forced to go into hiding. While in hiding, Ponyboy meets Cherry Valance and Johnny meets Two-Bit, both of whom are friends with socs. After turning themselves in to the police, Ponyboy and Johnny are put on trial for the murder charge. At the end of the trial, Ponyboy and Johnny are found not guilty and learn that there is more to life than being a “greaser.”