The Role of Alienation and Identity in The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (1967)

• Expanding the Roles:

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is a novel about the struggles of two teenage groups, the Greasers and the Socs, who live in a divided society. The story centers around Ponyboy Curtis, a member of the Greasers, as he navigates issues of class, identity, and belonging. For literature students, the book offers a valuable exploration of youth alienation, class conflict, and the search for identity.

• Alienation and Social Class:
  The novel illustrates the emotional alienation felt by the Greasers, who are marginalized due to their social class. Literature students can analyze how Hinton uses the Greasers' struggles to critique the societal divisions that arise from economic inequality.

• Identity and the Desire for Belonging:
  The characters’ search for identity is shaped by their desire to belong to a group, whether it’s the Greasers or their peer group. Students can explore how this desire for belonging drives their actions and decisions, highlighting the challenges of adolescence and social conformity.

What We Learn:
The Outsiders offers literature students insights into class conflict, youth alienation, and the search for identity. The novel emphasizes the importance of belonging and the social pressures that shape an individual’s sense of self.