Outsiders Theme Exchange

The Outsiders Theme Exchange
Authors use theme to convey important conclusions or messages about life. S.E. Hinton develops multiple themes in The Outsiders. Through a blog exchange, you will exchange concrete details, real world examples of the theme, and agreement or disagreement with the theme with a group at another school. These exchanges are public and will be moderated before being visible. School-appropriate language and rules should be followed. This is not a space to have personal conversations; this is a professional exchange of ideas and product development. All exchanges should end with your first name, unless directed differently by your teacher.
Assignment:
First, you will exchange concrete details found in The Outsiders to support your theme through blog posts and comments. Two different concrete details must be submitted (one from each group). Secondly, you will exchange personal or general real-world examples illustrating the theme in today's society. Again the ideas must differ. Finally, you will exchange support for and disagreement with Hinton's message.

Sample Theme:
Trying to conform to the customs and rules of a group can create problems for an individual.
Participants: Mrs. C and Mrs. D

To reply, click on the # Comments link at the end of blog entry, type your response in the Leave A Comment box, and under Choose Your Identity choose the Name/URL option, and type only your first name in the space provided.

Comments

Mrs. D said…
I think that there were a couple of people in the novel who either tried to or who thought about trying to comform to another group. Although others may not agree, I think Cherry Valance is one of those people. Maybe it wasn't that she was so much trying to conform as it was that she was trying to accept. What do you think?
October 8, 2009 at 3:10 PM
Anonymous said…
I agree with what you said about Cherry. She even admits to not liking beer blasts and other Soc activities. Randy is another Soc who tries to fit in, however, he is strong enough to walk away from peer pressure and the rumble at the end of the book.

Pony is a greaser who is definitely does not fit in well at school. He has his long hair at the beginning but has to cut it as they hide out. He does not like that physical loss of his identity. He is smart and in advanced classes where his uniqueness stands out and scares other students (his switchblade for example). He also knows that he is different from other greasers: he likes to read, write, remember poetry, and dream of a better life. He is bitter about the divisions between the two social groups and this creates a problem for him. He bitterly dislikes the Socs on sight and doesn't give them a chance to change his opinion at first. Cherry and Randy do help him change his opinion.
October 8, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Mrs. C said…
I agree with what you said about Cherry. She even admits to not liking beer blasts and other Soc activities. Randy is another Soc who tries to fit in, however, he is strong enough to walk away from peer pressure and the rumble at the end of the book.

Pony is a greaser who definitely does not fit in well at school. He has his long hair at the beginning but has to cut it as they hide out. He does not like that physical loss of his identity. He is smart and in advanced classes where his uniqueness stands out and scares other students (his switchblade for example). He also knows that he is different from other greasers: he likes to read, write, remember poetry, and dream of a better life. He is bitter about the divisions between the two social groups and this creates a problem for him. He bitterly dislikes the Socs on sight and doesn't give them a chance to change his opinion at first. Cherry and Randy do help him change his opinion.
October 8, 2009 at 4:33 PM
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