Final answer:
The Outsiders is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, showcasing the social divide between the city's East and West sides, which significantly impacts the story's themes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Outsiders takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, although the city is not explicitly mentioned in the book. The setting is more so captured through the detailed descriptions of the East Side, the poorer part of town, and the West Side, the wealthier area, contributing to the novel's exploration of social classes and conflicts. Author S.E. Hinton was a resident of Tulsa, which influenced the vivid depiction of the city's division in the 1960s era, resonating with themes of youth struggles, gang culture, and societal divisions.