The Outsiders

The source I chose to interact with the an original printed copy of S.E. Hinton’s  The Outsiders. This novel, released in 1967 was very controversial at the time as it touches on themes of  gang violence, abusive families, and underage drinking, it also uses strong language and slang. The particular copy that we have in the special collections is an original 1967 copy signed “‘Stay Gold!’-S.E. Hinton”. The original cover looks very 60s, the dotted pattern and hand drawn look are representative of the pop art style, even the font is all very appropriate of the time. The color scheme of the cover with the black, white, and bold red are jarring and juxtapose each other just like the novel, and the stick figures on the cover look like they are in the midsts of a fight the same way the two gangs conflicted all throughout the book. The book is in pretty good condition, but considering its a thickly printed hard cover novel that’s not very surprising. Even in good condition you can tell it has been read and worked, by a teenager probably.

In the front cover of the book it says that this was the first novel “for teen-agers, about teen-agers, by a teen-ager”. At the time this book was written novels were more about adults and geared towards them, but The Outsiders (1967) shined a light on the struggles that teenagers go through and how they are making their way in the world, and the even more revolutionary aspect was that the book was written by a 16 year old. The book was very obviously marketed towards high schoolers to try to let them know that they are heard and their problems aren’t trivial, which is a common attitude adults have towards adolescence. Teen issues tend to be looked down on as less significant or stupid compared to the struggles of adults but this book highlights them and shines a light on how formative these years can be. S.E. Hinton’s age also helps make it even more credible, because she understands the feelings and perspective of an irrational adolescent. It gives insight into the teens of the 50s living in a poor mostly rural area and the socioeconomic struggles they face. It shows the inside of gang life and the loyal and familial aspect of what seems like just a group of violent teenage boys. This also made it very controversial because it touched upon many dark themes and issues in relation to teenagers which was very taboo and many thought it was inappropriate.

This book fits perfectly into the collection because it is a piece of modern classic literature that has been taught in schools since a little bit after its release. It has cemented its place in history with its controversy, its messages, and its characters. Its fits into the theme of children’s literature because it is geared specifically towards young adults and their struggles. The book was published in Canada which is significant because it was not America since this book was banned in many places in the states os it makes sense that a publishing company here would not want to take it.

This book also fits right into the theme of the class: the formative years of adolescence and how it’s portrayed in literature. The whole semester we have been talking about how the idea of adolescence and how it wasn’t fully developed and used until the 1960s, The Outsiders which was written in 1967 falls exactly during that time, it marked the beginning of literature geared towards teenagers. The book is a monumental first in young adult literature and helped shaped that genre which we are currently studying. The themes of belonging, friendship, and family are all especially important when it comes to growing up and finding yourself. Ponyboy’s character is 14 which is very young for most books about teenagers but he is right in the midsts puberty and all the external conflict mixed with what is going on inside is very relatable for audiences. The inside cover of the book summed it up perfectly, it shows the struggle of a teenager, written for teenagers, by a teenager.

-Giuliana Galati

Source:  Hinton, S. E. The Outsiders. Viking Press, 1967.