1960’s America
The world of The Outsiders
General Setting
The Outsiders
presumably takes
place in Tulsa,
Oklahoma, where
S.E. Hinton grew up.
We mostly see the
east side of the city,
from the perspective
of the Greasers.
Fashion
During the time period
of the novel, Soc
“types” would wear
madras shirts and
khakis. You can see
an example of typical
clothing below.
Madras Shirts
Hair Grease
James Dean embodied
the cultivated Greaser
image. Leather jacket,
jeans, white t-shirt
and boots were typical
of boys who emulated
the free and
uncontrolled lifestyle
Dean seemed to live.
Music and Film
Here are some images of popular artists and movies.
Elvis Presley
The Beatles
Beach movies
The Beach Boys
Paul Newman
Music
Beatles – http://youtu.be/iim6s8Ea_bE
http://youtu.be/3_I8RCUpe-c
Elvis Presley - http://youtu.be/cCEDeloINXg
http://youtu.be/olqe-JnHzjU
Chubby Checker http://youtu.be/DZAtzcthSxM
The Everly Brothers –
http://youtu.be/YKn6h2x5IcY
http://youtu.be/xbLuWciXFcM
Frank Sinatra http://youtu.be/Aht9hcDFyVw
Movies
The Alamo
http://youtu.be/Agpg2GYWcpc
http://youtu.be/6N8pVVZUqeY
The Time Machine
http://youtu.be/BpDS1btXo_E
The Magnificent Seven
http://youtu.be/gvQXctChBpI
http://youtu.be/t0vqQjaXLOU
Psycho
Drive-ins
Watching
movies at the
drive-in theatre
was a popular
thing to do,
especially for
teenagers.
The car culture
was a big part
of society.
You’ll notice
that cars are
often mentioned
in the novel.
Cars
Here are two cars and a
gas station that are
mentioned in the novel.
Chevy Corvair
1965 Ford Mustang
DX Gas Station
Drive-in Restaurants
These restaurants were a typical place to take a date. They were
also where gangs hung out.
The American Dream
Happiness for the characters of The Outsiders was a girl, a
car, some money, a strong group of friends, and probably an
ice-cold bottle of soda.
How much has changed?
Language in 1960s
A Gas – a lot of fun
All show and no go – referenced to a
car that had all the pretty chrome
goodies, but wouldn’t get out of its own
way.
Bad - awesome
Language in 1960s
Bag – to steal. Example: Who bagged my
towel?; also see Score
Also; “What’s your bag” meaning what’s
your problem or where are you coming
from.
Blitzed – drunk
Cruising – driving up and down the same
street looking for races, girls, guys, etc.
Language in 1960s
Deuce – a 1932 Ford. As in, “She’s my Little
Deuce Coupe, you don’t know what I got”.
Pad – someone’s house. Example: There
wasn’t much to do so we all hung out at
John’s pad, drank Cokes and listened to
records.
Thongs – in the 60’s, thongs were something
you wore on your feet
News Headlines from 1960s
Kennedy Wins Presidency, Democrats
Sweep Congress
Two White Public Schools are the First to
Integrate
Russian Astronaut Yuri Gayarin First Man in
Space Circles Globe
East Germans Build Berlin Wall, Tensions
Rise
Yo-Yos Become National Craze