What Is The Theme of The Outsiders?

The Outsiders, written by S.E. Hinton and published in 1967, tells the story of a group of young friends—the Greasers—who are trying to find their place in the world. The novel is set in the fictional town of Tulsa, Oklahoma and is told from the perspective of Ponyboy Curtis, one of the Greasers. The Outsiders explores the themes of family, friendship, loyalty, and belonging. A great deal of controversy surrounded the book’s publication because its content was seen as inappropriate for young readers; however, it soon became a bestseller and is considered to be one of the greatest novels of all time. The main theme of the novel is loyalty, friendship, class conflict, violence, and friendship in a 1960s urban setting. The Outsiders has been translated into more than 20 languages and has sold over 10 million copies worldwide since 1967. The book was made into a film in 1983, starring Tom Cruise and Rob Lowe. The movie version won several awards, including the National Book Award and a spot on the New York Times Bestseller list. The Outsiders is often used as part of the curriculum in schools across the country.