Teaching Theme with An Outsiders Novel Study
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated April 04, 2024
Outsiders Novel Study: Teaching Theme
Understanding a novel’s theme can be a complex task. In order to grasp the theme of a story, students must be able to summarize key parts of a text to develop understanding. They also must distinguish the theme from the main idea, understand the author’s message, make inferences, and thoroughly understand characters and the ways they can grow and change as a story progresses. There are so many key skills involved! It is no wonder that it can be a struggle for students! Because of this, I love using our Outsiders novel study to teach this complex topic.
For a COMPLETE novel study to teach this engaging novel, with questions, vocabulary, projects, and more, click on the image or button below!
For additional information on teaching an Outsiders novel study, check out our three favorite Outsiders activities!
What is Theme, and Why is it Important?
Essentially, theme is a concept, lesson, or idea that is repeated throughout a story. The theme reflects the character’s internal journey through external plot events.
The theme is an essential part of a work of literature. It is designed to resonate with the reader. Without a strong theme, readers are less likely to connect with a story. When students connect with a story, they are more likely to enjoy it. Teaching a love of reading should always be our overall goal, so understanding theme is crucially important.
What themes are Central to an Outsiders Novel Study?
There are a lot of important themes in The Outsiders that are clear and easy for students to connect to. This makes it a great novel for theme analysis. Some of the key themes in the novel include:
•Divided communities: Ponyboy struggles with his place in two different communities in the novel. The first community involves the greasers and the socs. The second involves his place in the family with Soda and Derry.
•The preservation of childhood innocence: Ponyboy appreciates sunsets and dreams of life in the country. This shows an open-mindedness and appreciation that is characteristic of childhood.
•Honor among thieves: The greasers are often portrayed as tough criminals. However, they live by a powerful code of honor and friendship.
•Personal identity: The greasers and the socs struggle with their own individuality. They cater to the roles they play in their groups.
•Empathy towards others: The socs and the greasers struggle with seeing the world from each other’s perspective. However, coming together and realizing that they are not so different after all is central to the story’s resolution.
Using an Outsiders Novel Study to Teach Theme Analysis
Thematic essays are one of my favorite ways to examine theme during our Outsiders novel study. My middle schoolers are always in need of essay practice. This makes this activity a really effective way to practice theme analysis. They are able to work on essay writing and theme all at the same time.
For this activity, students are asked to choose one of the central themes in the story. Then, they write an essay that shows the ways it is developed in the story.
A planning template is included in this resource. This makes it easy for students to organize their thoughts. While my students are familiar with essay format, I find that providing a bit of structure helps to scaffold the process. This makes for stronger final essays.
For additional novel study ideas, you won’t want to miss our upper elementary and middle school favorites!
Looking to snag this essay activity for your Outsiders Novel Study?
Click here or on the image below to pick up my COMPLETE novel study unit for The Outsiders. It contains this essay activity, as well as 125 other pages of resources. These include comprehension questions, graphic organizers, projects, and activities. It is a TPT top seller, with over 2,200 copies sold!
Interested in seeing this novel study in action? Check it out on YouTube by clicking on the video below!
Looking for a free activity for your outsiders Novel Study?
Click here or on the image below to grab these package of FREE Outsiders Group Discussion Cards! It includes 24 different question cards to get students thinking deeply and talking about the novel. They make an excellent warm up or review activity!
Looking for more outsiders novel study ideas?
Check out my previous novel study posts below!
3 Favorite Activities for teaching The Outsiders
Middle School Novel Study Favorites
Benefits of teaching Novel Studies
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