The Outsiders

Themes and main ideas

 Goal
⩥ To explore the main ideas and themes within The
Outsiders.

Rate your:
Effort /5
Knowledge /5
CHARACTER MAP Darry
Brothers

Curtis
Oldest of the Sodapop
brothers, taken
guardianship; Curtis
greaser
Charming high
school dropout;
Brothers greaser

Steve
Brothers
Randle Don’t like each
Soda’s best other
friend; greaser

Ponyboy
Best friends
Curtis
14 year old
main character; Johnny
Fellow gang
greaser
Cade
member The pet of the
gang, Loyal,
Fellow gang gets beaten up;
greaser
member

Two-Bit
Matthews
Oldest in the
Dally
gang, Funny;
greaser
Winston
Actual criminal,
from New York;
greaser

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 APK- your identity
⩥ What is your personal identity?

Write 10
sentences
starting with ‘I
am’.

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 APK- your Group identity
⩥ What is your group / friendship
group’s identity?

Write 10
sentences
starting with ‘We
are’.

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 New Information- Identity in
The Outsiders
⩥ Both the Socs and the Greasers sacrifice their individuality
to the styles and sentiments of their groups. Greasers, for
example, wear their hair long and oiled, and share a
common hostility toward the Socs.
As we read more, consider how
⩥ Ponyboy is a dedicated Greaser even though he knows that different characters create both
their individual and group
certain aspects of his personality make him different from identities
the rest of the gang.
Pay attention to how character’s
identities change throughout
⩥ Ponyboy thinks deeply about who he wants to be. His
the novel.
conversations with Johnny, Cherry, and Randy lead him to
reflect on the path his life is taking.

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APPLY Think, Pair and share
⩥ How does your individual identity differ from your group’s identity?
⩥ What elements / features are exclusive to each?
⩥ Does your identity change? How & Why?

Individual (self conception) Group (social construction)

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New Information – Cliques
& Gangs.
⩥ Clique: A small close-knit group of people who do
not readily allow others to join them. The often fit
together by the way they were raised, their
intelligence, or way of dress

⩥ Gang: A group of young people

who spend time together, often fighting with
other groups and behaving badly

A key difference between a clique and a gang

is that while cliques usually try to maintain some
level of popularity, gangs operate mostly on fear.
They want others to be afraid of them.
This includes members who try to leave the group.
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Apply- Cliques and Gangs in popular
culture.

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Cliques

Gangs

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New Information – Class
and Race
“The differences between the Greasers and the Socs have to
do with money, but behind them, Ponyboy realizes, they aren’t
so different, if only they could figure that out.”

Social class is more than just how much money you have. It’s also the
clothes you wear, the music you like, the school you go to—and has a
strong influence on how you interact with others.

Social class refers to a group of people with similar levels of wealth,

influence, and status.

Classes are often referred to as working, middle and upper.

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 The Outsiders and social
class.
The Greasers and Socs are divided by their wealth, social class and
opportunities to succeed.

The author wants the reader to understand that wealth,

social class and education do not define who you are
and that although you may be very different in that
way you may be very similar in others.

Pay attention to times when the Socs and Greasers

are fighting and disrespecting one another. Look at
the ways they speak to each other.
WHILE READING
What can we learn about the character’s beliefs
and what they are based upon? Is this learnt
behavior?

How do the character’s belief’s about wealth and

outer appearance begin to change? 12
 Apply- Journal entry
Write a Journal entry that reflects on both your
individual identity as well as your group identity.

Does race and class play a role in your individual

identity and/or your group identity?

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 Goal review
⩥ To identify the main ideas and themes within Revisit and Rerate your:
The Outsiders. Effort /5
Knowledge /5

Define identity:

What is the difference between individuality and

belonging to a clique or gang identity? Give an
example for each.

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