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.

During the time period of the novel, Soc “types” would wear madras shirts and khakis. You can see an example of typical clothing below.

Fashion

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

Beatles

Music

– 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

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.

Drive-ins

Here are two cars and a gas station that are mentioned in the novel.

Cars

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