That was then, this is now by S.E. Hinton Summary

1. That Was Then This Is Now explores friendships destroyed by moral growth.
2. Bryon develops conscience while Mark remains stuck in amoral childhood thinking.
3. Hinton shows how loyalty conflicts with doing what is morally right.
4. The novel demonstrates growing up sometimes requires painful betrayal of loved ones.
5. Bryon discovers Mark deals drugs and makes heartbreaking decision to report him.
6. Violence defines the boys' world as currency for respect and status.
7. True love requires selflessness Bryon learns through his relationship with Cathy.
8. Set in 1960s Tulsa depicting Greasers facing poverty, violence, and limited options.
9. S.E. Hinton crafted a melancholic ending showing irreparable damage from betrayal.
10. The book questions whether childhood friendships can survive when values diverge.
11. Mark believes things just happen while Bryon learns actions have lasting consequences.
12. Bryon transforms from hustler to someone willing to sacrifice friendship for morality.

About the Author

Susan Eloise Hinton is the acclaimed author of That Was Then, This Is Now and a pioneering voice in young adult fiction. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1950, Hinton revolutionized teen literature at age 17 with her debut The Outsiders.

That Was Then, This Is Now, published in 1971, explores friendship, loyalty, and the difficult transition from adolescence to adulthood through the lens of teenage social hierarchies and class conflict. Written after overcoming writer's block, the novel is considered more mature and carefully crafted than her debut.

Her other celebrated works include Rumble Fish, Tex, and Taming the Star Runner. In 1988, Hinton became the first recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in young adult literature.

The Outsiders has sold over 14 million copies worldwide and ranks second on Publishers Weekly's "All-Time Bestselling Children's Books" list, while her novels have been adapted into classic films starring Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon, and Patrick Swayze.

FAQs About This Book

What is That Was Then, This Is Now by S.E. Hinton about?

That Was Then, This Is Now by S.E. Hinton follows two teenage boys, Bryon and Mark, whose brotherly bond fractures as they navigate the harsh realities of growing up in 1960s Tulsa. The novel explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and moral awakening as Bryon discovers Mark's involvement in drug dealing, leading to a heart-wrenching decision that destroys their relationship. It's a coming-of-age story about the painful transition from childhood innocence to adult responsibility.

Who should read That Was Then, This Is Now?

That Was Then, This Is Now is ideal for young adults and mature teens grappling with questions about loyalty, identity, and moral choices. The book resonates with readers interested in social realism, youth subcultures like Greasers and Socs, and the complexities of adolescent relationships. It's particularly valuable for those who enjoyed The Outsiders but want a darker, more psychologically complex exploration of friendship and betrayal.

Is That Was Then, This Is Now worth reading?

That Was Then, This Is Now is widely considered S.E. Hinton's darkest and most emotionally devastating work, making it essential reading for fans of young adult literature. The novel delivers a powerful examination of how people grow apart and the consequences of moral compromises. Its exploration of substance abuse, violence, and the loss of innocence remains hauntingly relevant decades after its 1971 publication.

Who is S.E. Hinton and why is she significant?

S.E. Hinton (Susan Eloise Hinton) revolutionized young adult literature when she wrote The Outsiders at age 15. She published That Was Then, This Is Now in 1971 as her second novel, further cementing her reputation for authentic portrayals of teenage life. In 1988, Hinton became the first author to receive the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in young adult literature.

What are the main themes in That Was Then, This Is Now?

That Was Then, This Is Now explores friendship deterioration, moral awakening, and the painful loss of childhood innocence. The novel examines how drug addiction and violence destroy relationships, forcing characters to confront difficult ethical choices. Hinton weaves in themes of nostalgia versus reality, showing how clinging to idealized pasts prevents growth, and how betrayal—even when justified—creates irreparable emotional damage.

How does Bryon betray Mark in That Was Then, This Is Now?

Bryon betrays Mark by turning him in to police after discovering Mark's drug dealing operation. Despite their brotherly bond since Mark's parents' deaths, Bryon's growing moral awareness makes him recognize the harm Mark causes. This devastating decision severs their relationship permanently, with their final encounter described as "devoid of emotion while simultaneously brimming with intensity," featuring "burning hatred cautiously fighting with undying love."

What happens to Charlie in That Was Then, This Is Now?

Charlie, a friend of Bryon and Mark, dies in a violent incident that serves as a turning point in the novel. His death forces Bryon to confront the real consequences of the dangerous lifestyle he and Mark have been living. Charlie's death catalyzes Bryon's moral awakening and contributes to the growing tension between the two main characters as they process grief differently.

How does That Was Then, This Is Now compare to The Outsiders?

That Was Then, This Is Now is darker and more psychologically complex than The Outsiders, focusing on internal moral conflict rather than class warfare. While The Outsiders centers on Greasers versus Socs gang dynamics, That Was Then explores friendship betrayal and personal complicity in destructive behavior. Both novels share S.E. Hinton's Tulsa, Oklahoma setting and authentic teenage voice, but That Was Then offers a more emotionally devastating and morally ambiguous narrative.

What does the ending of That Was Then, This Is Now mean?

The ending of That Was Then, This Is Now depicts Bryon visiting Mark in prison, with an unbridgeable emotional distance between them despite their history. The title becomes tragically literal—their innocent past ("then") is irrecoverable, while their present ("now") is defined by betrayal and separation. Hinton leaves readers contemplating whether Bryon made the right choice and how nostalgia can trap people in denial about painful realities.

What is the significance of drugs in That Was Then, This Is Now?

Drug dealing and substance abuse function as the catalyst for the novel's central conflict and represent the corruption of innocence in That Was Then, This Is Now. Mark's involvement in selling drugs forces Bryon to choose between loyalty to his friend and moral responsibility to the community. Hinton uses drugs to illustrate how adolescents face adult consequences and how addiction destroys relationships, futures, and the idealistic bonds of childhood.

Why is That Was Then, This Is Now still relevant today?

That Was Then, This Is Now remains relevant because it addresses timeless adolescent struggles with identity, loyalty, and moral decision-making under peer pressure. The novel's exploration of substance abuse, violence, and the difficulty of growing apart from childhood friends resonates with contemporary young adults. Hinton's unflinching portrayal of how nostalgia can prevent necessary change speaks to ongoing cultural conversations about personal growth and accountability.

What makes That Was Then, This Is Now different from other S.E. Hinton novels?

That Was Then, This Is Now stands apart as S.E. Hinton's most emotionally devastating and morally ambiguous work, lacking the clear heroes found in her other novels. Unlike The Outsiders or Tex, this book features a protagonist who actively betrays his closest friend, forcing readers to grapple with uncomfortable ethical questions. The novel's ending offers no redemption or reconciliation, making it Hinton's bleakest exploration of how people inevitably change and grow apart.