The Outsiders is a novel about two different groups of young males, the Greasers and the Soc's. The Greasers come from a lower socio-economic status than the Soc's. The Soc's represent the image privileged American youth, whereas the Greasers represent the "outcast" image of the American teenager. The two groups often engage in physical altercations called "rumbles". During one of these fights, Johnny, a greaser, stabs a rival to death. Ponyboy also becomes romantically involved with Cherry, a girl who associates with the Soc's. Before Johhny turns himself in for the murder, he and Ponyboy rescue a group of children from a burning church. Johnny is injured in the fire and later dies. In the aftermath of the tragedies that struck both groups, Ponyboy writes an english paper about the events in his life.
In young adult literature, The Outsiders is usually the first view into the lives of alienated youth that students are exposed to. The entire story centers against a background of social alienation. We read the story from the viewpoint of the alienated and are exposed to the harsh realities that make up their lives. Although alienated, we learn that our protagonists are good, decent people. This is clear when Johnny and Ponyboy rescue the children from the burning church. The theme of alienation in Hinton's story extremely important, as the Outsiders is a tale of the tragedies that can occur when social alienation is allowed to create hatred in American youth.
