As part of the exploration of the many themes embedded within the novel, the students were assigned membership into the Greasers or Socs, two rival cliques. The overall goal of this assignment was for the students to embody the identity of Greaser or Soc. They then had to argue that their group was somehow superior to the other group. At the end of the exercise, the students realized that the characters in the novel were actually similar and their actions were rooted in a desire to defend themselves and their friends.
“The overall goal of this assignment was for the students to get into the minds of a Greaser or a Socs,” Ms. Lieto said. “Then, they had to defend, in front of the whole class, why their clique or gang was better than the other. The end result was the girls realizing none of these groups were the bad or good guys. They realized they are all just teenagers.”
During the assignment, students analyzed the differences and similarities between the two cliques comparing everything from how they dressed, likes and dislikes and more. Ms. Lieto had music from the movie playing in the background to set the mood. They were also encouraged to dress like their cliques.
Ms. Lieto commented that the purpose of reading the novel and the dramatic enactment of some of the scenes was for the students to understand that internally we are all very similar, and rather than disparage external differences, we should celebrate them.
She concluded, “I always emphasize to the girls, regarding this novel, that their relatability to The Outsiders will come to an end once they reach adulthood. Now, as teenagers, they are able to see pieces of themselves in characters like Johnny, Ponyboy, and the other Greasers and Socs. Eventually, that will fade away as they enter adulthood, but they will always remember how this novel made them feel seen in 7th grade. The Outsiders is such a crucial part of growing up and feeling included in something special.”