Rationale:
In order for you to understand S.E. Hinton's novel The
Outsiders completely, you must understand the music of the
time and how it relates to the novel's main characters. In the
novel, different groups of characters emerge and Hinton
distinguishes these groups by associating them with musicians of
the time. She realtes The
Beatles to the Socs, Elvis
Presley to the Greasers, and Hank
Williams, Sr. to a rougher subculture of Greasers.
Unfortunately, many students are not familiar enough with
these early popular music artists to grasp Hinton's use of them in
her novel. Therefore, in this lesson, you will gain an
understanding of these and other musicians and how they relate to
the novel's themes of forbidden love, friendship, and social
ostracism.
Objectives:
You should be able to:
- Recognize themes in The Outsiders and popular music.
- Recognize social ostracism in your own lives.
- Recognize different genres of popular music.
- Make a presentation that reflects your understanding.
Background:
For this lesson to be most effective, you should have read
nearly half of the novel. At that point, you will be able to
recognize the themes of forbidden love, friendship, and social
ostracism. Biographical information from the Rock and Roll HaIl of
Fame website (www.rockhall.com) should be shared on Elvis
Presley, The
Beatles, Hank
Williams, Sr., Bob
Dylan, and The
Who. Also, the phrase "social ostracism" should
be defined and discussed with students.
Use the Rock window :
- "Heartbreak Hotel": Why might the Greasers
relate to Elvis
Presley.
- "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away":
Why might the Socs relate to The
Beatles.
- "I'm So Lonesome, I Could Cry": Why
might the Greasers relate to Hank
Williams, Sr.
- "Two of Us": Evaluate this song using the
modified Rock Window. Discuss how this song might relate to
the theme of friendship in The Outsiders, specifically
concerning Ponyboy and Johnny.
- "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall": Evaluate this
song using the modified Rock Window. Discuss this song in
relation to The Outsiders. Would the Socs or the
Greasers relate to this song?
- "My Generation": Evaluate this song using
the modified Rock Window. Discuss this song in relation to The
Outsiders. Would the Socs or the Greasers relate to this
song?
Evaluation:
In a group of three, students are to select three songs. One of
these three songs must relate to the theme of forbidden love,
another to the theme of social ostracism, and a third to the theme
of friendship. These songs are to be presented using PowerPoint, explaining how the songs relate to the themes and to The
Outsiders.
Selected Recordings:
"Heartbreak Hotel" recorded by Elvis
Presley (Elvis
Presley the Number One Hits, RCA, 1987) written
by Axton, Durden, and Presley, Sony/ATV Songs LLC (Tree).
"You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" recorded by The
Beatles (Help!, Capitol,1965). Written by
Lennon and McCartney, EMI UNART Catalog, Inc.; Sony/ATV Songs LLC
(Maclen SP).
"I'm So Lonesome, I Could Cry" recorded by Hank
Williams, Sr. (20 of Hank
Williams Greatest Hits, Mercury, 1997). Written
by Hank
Williams, Acuff Rose Music, Inc./ Hiriam Music.
"Two of Us" recorded by The
Beatles (Let It Be, Capitol, 1970) written by
Lennon and McCartney, Sony/ATV Songs LLC (Maclen SP).
"A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" recorded by Bob
Dylan (The Freewheelin', Columbia, 1963)
written by Dylan.
"My Generation" recorded by The
Who (Who's Better, Who's Best, MCA, 1988)
written by Peter Townshend and Dennis Blandfo, Devon Music Inc.,
Fabulous Music Ltd., Westminster Music Ltd.
Rock Window
I MUSIC
a. Ensemble: What instruments are present?
b. Rhythmic Emphasis: What is the dominant beat? What instrument
or instruments carry this beat?
c. Vocal Style: What words would you use to describe the vocal
delivery?
d. Instrumental Solo: Is there an instrumental solo? If so, what
instrument?
II LYRICS
a. What are the song’s major themes? Does it tell a story?
b. Is there an explicit or underlying political or cultural
message?
III ARTIST’S HISTORY
What are the important elements of the artist’s personal
history and career that enhance your understanding of the music?
IV SOCIETAL CONTEXT
How did the surrounding political and cultural climates
influence the artists and their work?
V STANCE
Which elements of the artist’s live performances and public
actions or behavior provide us with a clearer understanding of the
music itself?
Mr.
Schumacher 
Chiddix Junior High School
