Contributor: Kristen Gardiner. Lesson ID: 10928
What is a hero? Writers write about heroes, but did you ever think of a writer as a hero? S.E. Hinton broke ground in writing The Outsiders. Tie together what you've learned from Pony and the others!
Is this what comes to mind when you think of the word "hero"?
What really constitutes a hero?
Look up the word "hero" in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, and copy the definition that best fits your understanding in your reading journal.
Can using a talent — such as writing — to make a statement about social issues make a person a hero? Discuss this with your parent or teacher.
S.E. Hinton took writing to a new level when she wrote The Outsiders at the age of 15. This was the first time in contemporary literature when real teen issues were being addressed, but did the book contribute to any solutions? Take a moment to watch the first five minutes of this biography, S. E. Hinton Biography, Part 1 of 2:
Read "S. E. Hinton and the Y. A. Debate," published in The New Yorker magazine. We see there is controversy today over who should read the book, but there is still a sense that many still don't get the gist, or meaning, behind the book.
Look over this interview from The Outsiders Fan Club on Weebly.com.
Do you see S. E. Hinton as a hero for bringing these topics to light?
Take some time to answer the following questions in your reading journal, based on three major themes from the novel. Answer each question as thoughtfully and honestly as possible:
To what extent, if any, did the novel help you understand these themes?
Now, take a moment to think about how you honestly feel after having read the novel. Would you recommend this novel to a friend or family member? Why or why not?