The Outsiders

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussions of graphic violence, substance use, death, bullying, emotional abuse, and mental illness.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did the opening scene’s depiction of Ponyboy being jumped by the Socs set the tone for the rest of the novel? What expectations did it create, and how were those fulfilled or subverted?

2. The Outsiders remains controversial due to its themes of violence and substance use, yet is still considered to be one of the "100 Novels that Shaped Our World." How do you think this novel’s treatment of social divisions and violence compares to modern young-adult titles such as The Hate U Give?

3. How did you react to the fact that Hinton wrote this novel while still in high school? How might the author's age have influenced the authenticity of the teenage characters' voices and experiences?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Consider the various ways in which the characters cope with trauma and loss. How do you relate to their different coping mechanisms? What healthy and unhealthy patterns do you recognize?