Outsiders questions chapter 1

1. Outsiders questions chapter 1 • Describe Ponyboy, Sodapop and Darry (at least 3 physical and 3 personality traits for each). • How is Ponyboy’s relationship with Darry and Sodapop different ? Explain. • Why is the gang so important to Johnny ?

2. 1. Do a character sketch of Ponyboy, Sodapop and Darry.

3. How is Ponyboy’s relationship with Darry and Sodapop different ? Explain. Ponyboy loves Sodapop because he treats him like he is 14 and not a child. He tries to understand him and never gives him a hard time. Ponyboy thinks that Darry does not really love him because he is always yelling at him, and he feels that he can never do anything good enough to satisfy his brother.

4. 3. Why is the gang so important to Johnny ? Johnny’s father is always beating him and his mother either ignores him or yells at him, so he does not get any love from his real family. The gang gives him the love and support that he does not get from home. The gang is his family.

5. Outsiders questions chapter 2 1. Describe the fight between Johnny and the Socs (give details). How does the fight affect Johnny ? 2. What does Cherry try to teach Ponyboy about the Socs ?

6. 1. Describe the fight between Johnny and the Socs. How does the fight affect Johnny ? A blue Mustang pulled up with 4 Socs inside the car. One Soc had a lot of rings on his hand and beat up Johnny badly(he was alone). Afterwards, Johnny was constantly nervous around people and always carried a knife on him to protect himself.

7. 2. What does Cherry try to teach Ponyboy about the Socs ? She tries to teach him that not all the Socs are like the ones who beat up Johnny and that even though the Socs seem to have all the advantages in life, they also have problems, just like the Greasers.

8. Outsiders questions chapter 3 • Explain what causes the fight between Ponyboy and Darry. 2. Why is Darry so hesitant to call the cops when Ponyboy is missing?

9. 1. Explain what causes the fight between Ponyboy and Darry. (Chapter 3) Ponyboy fell asleep in the parking lot and got home past his curfew at 2 a.m. Darry was worried and yelled at Ponyboy for not using his head.

10. Why is Darry so hesitant to call the cops when Ponyboy is missing? (Chapter 3) He is afraid that the cops will separate the family and send Ponyboy and Sodapop to a boy’s home if they think that Darry is not taking good enough care of them.

11. Outsiders questions chapter 4 • Describe Bob’s death by answering : Who ? What/How ? Where ? When ? Why ? 2. Who do the boys turn to for help and how does this person help them? 3. Where do the boys hide?

12. 1. Describe Bob’s death by answering : Who ? What/How ? Where ? When ? Why ? How ? Ponyboy/Johnny/Bob/Randy/David +2 other Socs • Who • What/How : • Where : • When: • Why : • Why : Johnny killed Bob with a knife park 2:30 am self defense (Socs were drowning Ponyboy in a fountain and he wanted to protect them…was afraid of getting beat up again like the last time)

13. 2. Who do the boys turn to for help and how does this person help them? (Chapter 4) They turn to Dally who gives them a gun, 50 $, and some warm, dry clothes for Ponyboy. Dally also give them directions to a hideout.

14. 3. Where do the boys hide? (Chapter 4) At an abandoned church on the top of Jay Mountain in Windrixville.

15. Questions chpt. 5 1) How does Ponyboy feel about changing his hair, and why? 2) What does the expression “ Nothing gold can stay” mean?

16. How does Ponyboy feel about changing his hair, and why? He is very upset about having to cut and bleach his hair because for a Greaser, hair is their pride and joy; it labels them as Greasers.

17. What does the expression “ Nothing gold can stay” mean? Gold = Perfection Nothing perfect can stay forever; things are always changing, so you must appreciate every moment and everything that you have, because nothing lasts forever.

18. Outsiders questions chapters 6 • At the beginning of the chapter, what decision had Johnny made regarding his and Ponyboy’s situation, and why ? 2. Describe the incident of the burningchurch by answering : Who ? What?/How? Where ? When ? Why ? 3. a) What happens during the rescue ? b) What condition are all the boys in afterwards ? 4. a) Describe Ponyboy’s reunion with his brothers. b) What does Ponyboy finally realize about Darry ?

19. At the beginning of the chapter, what decision had Johnny made regarding his and Ponyboy’s situation, and why ? He decided to turn himself in because he thought he might have a good chance of getting a light sentence (self-defense). He also felt that being on the run was not fair to Ponyboy since he didn’t do anything and his family missed him.

20. 2. Describe the incident of the burning church by answering : Who ? What?/How? Where ? When ? Why ? Ponyboy/Johnny/Dally/kids and teachers • Who : • What/How : • Where : • When : • Why : Church were the greasers were hiding catches fire because of the cigarette they had been smoking in the church. A few children had to be rescued because they had been playing in the church. church on top of Jay Mountain in Windrixville daytime Boys feel the need to save the kids because they felt responsible for starting the fire with their cigarettes

21. 3. a) What happens during the rescue ? Ponyboy and Johnny run in the church to save the children. They are able to get the children out, but the roof collapses and Johnny was hit on his back by a falling piece of wood. Ponyboy was able to get out of the church. His back was on fire and was put out by Dally, who went in the church to get Johnny out.

22. 3. b) What condition are all the boys in afterwards ? Ponyboy = smoke inhalation, a few bruises Dally = burned badly on one arm Johnny = severe burns, back was broken(will not walk again) critical condition

23. 4. a) Describe Ponyboy’s reunion with his brothers. It is a happy reunion. Sodapop hugs him and Ponyboy runs and hugs Darry. Darry is very emotional and fights back tears.

24. 4. b) What does Ponyboy finally realize about Darry ? Darry does really care about him. He yells at him because he loves him and wants a better life for him (he knows that Ponyboy could go far in life with the right guidance).

25. Chapter 7 1. What message does Randy try to explain to Ponyboy during their talk ?

26. 1. What message does Randy try to explain to Ponyboy during their talk ? Randy tries to get Ponyboy to understand that fighting and killing will not solve their problems; nothing will change no matter who wins the rumble.

27. Outsiders questions chapter 8 1. Why did the doctor let Two-Bit and Ponyboy in to see Johnny when the nurses wouldn’t? 2. Other than Two-Bit and Ponyboy, who else comes to visit Johnny? Why doesn’t he want to see this person? 3. Why does Cherry say she can't visit Johnny?

28. 1. Why did the doctor let Two-Bit and Ponyboy in to see Johnny when the nurses wouldn’t? The doctor says Johnny had been asking for them and that "It can't hurt now."

29. 2. Other than Two-Bit and Ponyboy, who else comes to visit Johnny? Why doesn’t he want to see this person? Johnny’s mom came to visit him. He does not want to see her because he knew she would yell at him for causing trouble for her and his dad.

30. 3. Why does Cherry say she can't visit Johnny? Cherry says she can't visit Johnny because he killed Bob(her boyfriend). She says she "couldn't ever look at the person who killed him." p. 128

31. Outsiders questions chapter 9 • Describe the rumble by answering : Who ? What ?/How ? Where ? When ? Why ? • What happens to Ponyboy during the rumble? (chpt. 9)

32. 1. Describe the rumble by answering : Who ? What ?/How ? Where ? When ? Why ? 21 Greasers vs. 22 Socs • Who : • What/How : • Where : • When : • Why : a major fight between the two rival gangs : Rules of the fight were no weapons(only fists) and the first group to run loses. Darry and Paul start the fight. Dally leaves the hospital to fight. The Socs run, so the Greasers win. Vacant lot 7 pm Socs wanted revenge for the death of Bob/Greasers want to defend Johnny

33. 2. What happens to Ponyboy during the rumble ? • Ponyboy is hit in the ribs and kicked in the head. He is very dizzy after the rumble is over.

34. Outsiders questions chapter 10 1. Describe Dally’s death by answering : Who ? What ?/ How ? Where ? When ? Why ? 2. Why was it important to Ponyboy that he called for Darry while he was delirious ?

35. 1. Describe Dally’s death by answering : Who ? What ?/ How ? Where ? When ? Why ? Dally/police • Who : • What/How : • Where : • When : • Why : Dally robbed a grocery store at gunpoint and was chased by the police who shot and killed him when he did not give himself up Vacant lot At night, after rumble and after Johnny’s death Dally did not want to live anymore after Johnny’s death, so he decided to commit “suicide” by police who shot him because they did not know that the gun he took out was unloaded

36. 2. Why was it important to Ponyboy that he called for Darry while he was delirious ? (chpt. 10) He wanted Darry to know that he cared for him too, not just Sodapop.

37. Outsiders questions chapters 11-12 1. At the hearing, what was the judge’s decision ? What factors helped in his decision ? (chpt.12) 2. Explain how Darry and Ponyboy play tug of war with Soda. 3. What does Johnny mean when he tells Ponyboy to “stay gold” ? (chpt.9 and 12) 4. a) What is the subject of Ponyboy’s English assignment ? (chpt.12) b) How did he come up with this theme ? What inspired him ? 5. What does the reader discover about the book “The Outsiders” with the last sentence of the story ?

38. 1. At the hearing, what was the judge’s decision ? What factors helped in his decision ? (chpt.12) He decides to acquit Ponyboy (not guilty) and the brothers can stay together. His decision was based on testimonies from Cherry and the Socs who told the judge that it was Johnny who killed Bob, not Ponyboy. Ponyboy helped himself also by saying that he did well in school and liked living with Darry. A doctor also testified on his behalf.

39. 2. Explain how Darry and Ponyboy play tug of war with Soda. Sodapop feels like his brothers are always trying to get him to take sides instead of sticking together. Sodapop sees both points of views : Darry yells too much and takes everything too seriously, while Ponyboy doesn’t think enough and doesn’t realize all that Darry has given up to give him a better chance in life. .

40. 3. What does Johnny mean when he tells Ponyboy to “stay gold” ? (chpt.9 and 12) Appreciate life and what he has, don’t let his life circumstances (being a Greaser and living that kind of lifestyle)change his personality and don’t become mean and hard like Dallas.

41. 4. a) What is the subject of Ponyboy’s English assignment ? (chpt.12) His personal experience of being a Greaser and their rivalry with the Socs, as well as what happened to Johnny and Dally.

42. 4. b) How did he come up with this theme ? What inspired him ? Johnny’s letter to him inspired him to write about the Greaser’s point of view so that the world would not be so quick to judge them.

43. 5. What does the reader discover about the book “The Outsiders” with the last sentence of the story ? The readers discover at the end of the story that the book they just read was actually Ponyboy’s English assignment. We know this because the first sentence of the book and the last sentence of the book are the same.

44. Format of the Novel Test(85 pts) • Part A : Character association-match character with right description (10 pts) • Part B : Questions about the novel and literature notes(have to answer each question) (30 pts) • Part C : Development questions-answer 3 of the 6 -50 words minimum each question. (45 pts)

45. Literature notes review • What is the literary genre of The Outsiders ? Explain. • What is the point of view of the story ? Explain. • What is the setting of the story ? • Identify and explain two major conflicts in the story. Are they resolved ? Explain. • Do the plot diagram of the novel.