The Outsiders Web Quest
by S.E. Hinton
Introduction:
You will soon begin reading the novel The Outsiders by
S.E. Hinton. The Outsiders is about two weeks in the life
of a 14-year-old boy. The novel tells the story of Ponyboy
Curtis and his struggles with right and wrong in a society
in which he believes that he is an outsider. In
preparation, it is extremely important that you gain the
necessary background information in order to understand
certain situations and events.
“They grew up on the outside
of society. They weren't
looking for a fight. They were
looking to belong.”
Task:
Part I requires you to explore Web sites
on various topics related to the author, issues,
and setting of The Outsiders. You will be given a
selection of web sites, via QR Codes, related to
these issues from which to choose.
― S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders
Timeline and Grading:
All of the questions are due at the end of class on __________________________.
You will need to research and answer the 30 questions correctly. Each of the
questions is worth one point.
QR Codes:
Make sure your device has a QR Code reader downloaded. I recommend using
Qrafter.
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Background for The Outsiders
Section I: The Author
1. Who is the author of The Outsiders?
2. When and where was the author born?
3. What does S. E. stand for?
4. Why does the author use the initials S.E. instead of her full
name?
http://www.sehinton.com
5. How old was the author when she wrote her first novel and what
was it?
6. In what year was The Outsiders published?
7. What was the author’s inspiration for The Outsiders?
8. How many copies of her first novel have been sold?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
S._E._Hinton
9. S.E. Hinton was the first to win a certain award. What award
was it and what is the award for?
Section II: The Novel
10. What is the novel’s ranking on the American Library
Association’s Top 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books list?
11. What are some reasons why the novel is banned?
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/
banned/frequentlychallenged/c
hallengedbydecade/1990_200
0
12. List three places that have tried to ban The Outsiders from
school reading lists?
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13. What is the theme of the The Outsiders?
14. In what city is the story set? Why did the author choose this
location?
http://bannedbooks.world.edu
/2011/05/08/banned-booksawareness-outsiders/
15. What are the names of the two conflicting “gangs” in The
Outsiders?
16. What time period does The Outsiders take place in
17. What does Two-bit’s switchblade represent?
18. What do the Socs’ cars represent?
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit
/outsiders/themes.html
19. What does the Greaser hair represent?
20. Who are the main characters in the novel?
***BONUS***
What is the name of the poem Ponyboy recites in The Outsiders?
Who was it written by?
http://www.publishersweekl
y.com/pw/print/20011217/2
8595-all-time-bestsellingchildren-s-books.html
3
Section III: The 1960s
21. If you were a Greaser in the 1960s, what would someone
your age dress like?
22. Name 3 movies popular in 1965.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Greaser_(subculture)
23. Name 2 musical groups played on the radio in 1965.
24. What was the Album of the Year in 1965?
25. Who was the President in 1965?
26. What was the average cost of a new home in 1965?
27. Who won the World Series in 1965?
http://www.1960sflashback.
com/1965/Economy.asp
28. What major Civil Rights Leader was assassinated in 1965?
29. What company manufactured the Corvair?
30. What company manufactures the Mustang?
***BONUS***
Search for a picture of a young Paul Newman. Write a brief
description of who he was and what he did.
http://www.ranker.com/list/list
-of-all-cars-made-in1965/reference?format=SLIDE
SHOW&page=2
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The Outsiders Answer Key 1.
2.
3.
4.
S.E. Hinton. She was born in 1948 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. S.E. stands for Susan Eloise. Since her narrator was a boy, Hinton's publishers suggested that she publish under the name of S. E. Hinton; they feared their readers wouldn't respect a "macho" story written by a woman.. 5. By the time she was 17 years old, Susan Eloise Hinton was a published author. Her first novel was The Outsiders. 6. The Outsiders was published in 1967. 7. The book was inspired by two rival gangs at Hinton’s school, Will Rogers High School, the Greasers and the Socs, and her desire to show sympathy toward the Greasers by writing from their point of view. 8. The book has sold over 14 million copies and still sells more than 500,000 a year. 9. Hinton was the first person to win the Margaret A. Edward Award or the YASD/SLJ Author Achievement Award. 10. 43. 11. It portrays gang violence, underage smoking and drinking, strong language, slang, family dysfunction. 12. South Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Boone, Iowa School District; George Washington Middle School in Eleanor, West Virginia 13. Looking at life as an outsider and feeling as though one is being treated as an outsider is a matter of one’s point of view. 14. Tulsa, Oklahoma. The author grew up there. 15. The Greasers and the Socs. 16. 1960s 17. Two-­‐bit’s switchblade represents disregard for authority and the potential for violence. 18. The Socs’ cars represent the Socs’ ability to purchase power and protection. 19. Greaser hair represents rebellion against society. 20. Ponyboy Curtis, Darrell Curtis, Dallas Winston, Sodapop Curtis, Bob Sheldon, Sherri Valance, Randy Anderson, Johnny Cade, Keith Matthews, Steve Randall. Bonus: “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost 21. Leather jackets, white t-­‐shirts, jeans, slicked back hair. 22. The Sound of Music, Doctor Zhivago, Thunderball. 23. Shirley Ellis, The Toys. 24. September of My Years, Frank Sinatra. 25. Lyndon B. Johnson. 26. $21,500.00. 27. LA Dodgers. 28. Malcolm X. 29. Chevy 30. Ford 5