compare and contrast the experiences of the teens in the novel with the lives of teens today.

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1 Rough Life The teens in S.E. Hinton s That Was Then, This Is Now live in a world dominated by fights, gangs, and muggings. Even though these events may not be part of your everyday life, you will probably still identify with the characters in the novel. Just as any teens, they try to balance their social lives with their family demands and try to reconcile the reality of the world around them with their hopes for the future. Be a Better Reader As you work through the study guide for That Was Then, This Is Now, you ll also practice these skills, which will help you when you read novels in the future, for school assignments or just for fun. 1. Describe the development of the main character. 2. Discuss how the plot develops throughout the novel. 3. Describe themes in the novel and trace their development throughout the text. 4. Cite textual evidence to support discussion of the novel. 5. Discuss how point of view affects the content of the novel. Behind the Scenes You may find it surprising that That Was Then, This Is Now was written by a young female author. S.E., Susan Eloise, Hinton was just 21 years old when it was published. Set in her native Oklahoma, That Was Then, This Is Now expands upon some of the themes Hinton addressed in her debut novel, The Outsiders published four years earlier. In both novels, the author shares her frustration with a divisive teenage social scene, as well as the lack of books targeted to young adults. In That Was Then, This Is Now, Hinton introduces several new characters while also extending the story of PonyBoy, the main character in The Outsiders. With these two novels, S.E. Hinton became one of the first authors to begin and contribute to the genre of young adult literature. Get This! 1. Byron attaches much importance to Charlie s car. As you read, think about what Charlie s car symbolizes to Byron and what role it plays in the novel as a whole. 2. S.E. Hinton s That Was Then, This Is Now is set in Oklahoma during the 1960s. As you read, compare and contrast the experiences of the teens in the novel with the lives of teens today. 3. Almost every character in the novel must deal with adversity of some type. Notice how each person deals with the problems that come his/her way. Assess how the characters handle the issues and think about if they could have found a better way to do so.

2 The Plot That Was Then, This Is Now follows Byron as he becomes increasingly disenchanted with the constant fighting and drugs that surround him, his friends, and family. As you read the novel, fill in the boxes for each element of the novel s plot.

3 The Characters S.E. Hinton uses teenagers to tell her story of violence and drugs in one city in Oklahoma. Draw a picture of each character listed. Then describe the importance of each character s role in the box beneath each picture. Byron Mark M&M Charlie Cathy Angela

4 The Setting S.E. Hinton s That Was Then, This Is Now occurs in a Oklahoma city in the 1960s, the same time and place in which the author herself lived. Use the spaces below to describe the setting in the novel. In the first column, type or write direct quotes from the novel phrases and sentences that are used to show what it s like throughout the book. In the second column, explain in your own words what the author is trying to convey. An example has been completed for you. Direct Quote Related to Setting Markk and me went down to the bar/pool hall about two or three blocks... Charlie was a big, tough guy so a threedollar beating up was something to worry about. (Chapter 1) Your Explanation Mark and Byron live a rough life dominated by spending time in pool halls and trying to avoid fights.

5 Tracking Themes What does it all mean?... What message is S.E. Hinton trying to communicate in That Was Then, This Is Now? The main themes in That Was Then, This Is Now involve coming of age and right vs. wrong. See if you can identify and analyze those themes in the drama. Step 1: What parts of the plot seem related to a possible theme in the novel? (Think about the main conflict and how it get resolved or worked out.) Step 2: Which characters seem related to a possible theme? Which characters change, and what do those changes suggest about coming of age and right vs. wrong? Step 3: How does the author use symbols to hint at the novel s themes? What objects, people, or places stand for something bigger in the story? Step 4: What does the novel s title suggest about the novel s theme? Step 5: Write one or two of the novel s main themes in your own words.

6 Talk About It What do you think about That Was Then, This Is Now? Did you feel that Byron was a reliable narrator? How is the novel a coming of age story? In the space below each question, write an answer based on your own understanding of the novel. Include some textual evidence or examples that helped you arrive at your answer. 1. That Was Then, This Is Now is told from the point of view of Byron, a 16 year old guy who becomes increasingly frustrated with the violence in his neighborhood and life. How do you think the novel would differ if it was told from the point of view of Mark? Textual Evidence: 2. That Was Then, This Is Now is considered a coming of age novel, one in which Byron questions his place in the events that unfold around him. How do Byron s experiences help him grow up and cause him to want to change his life? Textual Evidence:

7 Represent! Show what you know about That Was Then, This Is Now and its relevance to your life. Choose one of these projects to complete and share with your teacher, classmates, and others. Choice 1: A Different Point of View The novel focuses on Byron s version of the events in his life and neighborhood. While the novel shares a lot with the reader, it does not provide us with an even handed description of anyone s point of view other than Byron s. Create and perform a monologue as Mark or Cathy to try to gain more insight into either of them as a character. You may want to focus on a particular event in the novel or perform snippets from several different events. Be sure to write your monologue in the form of a play. Choice 2: The Coming of Age Novel That Was Then, This Is Now traces Byron s growing frustration with his surroundings and his blossoming maturity in the form of a coming of age novel. Byron is not the first literary character to be immortalized in a coming of age novel. Think of other films, plays, short stories, or novels that are considered coming of age novels. Create a Powerpoint presentation that illustrates some of these characters and their lives and experiences. In your presentation, include maps and objects that symbolize each character s journey. Be prepared to explain why you selected each character, as well as how his/her experiences affected him.