"The Outsiders"
By: S. E. Hinton
Comprehension Questions Ch. 5-8
CHAPTER 5:
1. Do you think hiding out was the best thing for Johnny and Ponyboy to do? Why or why not?
Hiding out was the best thing for Johnny and Ponyboy to do. It would be hard to fit it. Also, Johnny and Ponyboy would be wanted and police would try and look for them. They won't turn themselves in because Johnny could get hurt.
2. What did Johnny admire about Dally?
Johnny admired Dally's use of bad language.
3. Why did the boys cut their hair? Does the length of hair mean much to the boys? Is it important to you? To adults you know?
The boys cut their hair for a disguise. The length of hair means so much to the boys because their hair is what identifies them as greasers. Their hair is long and greasy. My hair is not really important to me, but I want my hair to be neat and not messed up.
4. Based on the supplies Johnny collected, what can you conclude about Johnny?
Johnny is resourceful. He clearly plans on doing this for a while. He is also thoughtful and remembering Ponyboy's book. It also makes me think that he has done this before.
5. Do you think crying helped the boys or made them weaker? Why?
Crying is a gesture of letting something out. It isn't a sign of weakness. Also, especially that they just killed someone.
6. What do you think the poem by Robert Frost on page 77 means? What do you think Frost is describing? Why do you think Ponyboy remembered this poem?
This poem by Robert Frost means that nothing can stay gold. Everything changes. That is what Frost is describing. Everything will change. Ponyboy remembered this poem because part of it is that he doesn't understand it.
7. What is another word for “heater”?
Another word for "heater" is gun.
8. Do you think Ponyboy and Johnny will ever be able to go home again? Why or why not?
Ponyboy and Johnny will be able to go home again. They are too young to survive on their own. Also, they are kind of homesick.
9. How does Johnny write a note to Ponyboy?
Johnny writes a note to Ponyboy on the dirt.
10. What is the one thing the Greasers are proud of?
The one thing the Greasers are proud of is hair.
11. How do Johnny and Ponyboy pass the time?
Johnny and Ponyboy pass the time by reading "Gone With The Wind", playing poker, and smoking cigarettes.
12. Who comes to visit Johnny and Ponyboy?
Dally comes to visit Johnny and Ponyboy.
13. Where do the police think Johnny and Ponyboy have gone?
The police think Johnny and Ponyboy have gone to Texas.
14. Who is spying on the Socs for the Greasers?
The one spying on the Socs for the Greasers is Cherry Valance.
CHAPTER 6:
1. Why do you think Cherry chose to associate with – and later help – Johnny and Ponyboy? Is she a spy?
Cherry is helping them because she likes Johnny and Ponyboy. She thinks that it is her fault for everything that happened: the drowning, the killing, etc. Right now, she is a spy for the Greasers.
2. Why do you think Johnny decided they should turn themselves in?
Johnny decided they should turn themselves in because it was the right thing to do and they can't hide forever and they might be let off easy. They are young, minors, and part of it is self-defense. Also, both of them want to go home. Even if Johnny's parents are still mean to him, Johnny still misses them.
3. What did Ponyboy learn about Dally?
Ponyboy learns from Dally that Dally cares for Johnny and Ponyboy but not his family.
4. Would you say Ponyboy and Johnny are heroes? Why or why not?
They are heroes because they saved the little kids and each other. Even though they started the fire. They are not heroes because they killed a Soc, might have started the fire, and ran away cowardly.
5. Why wouldn’t Dally go into the church for the kids, but he did go in for Johnny?
Dally cares about Johnny. Dally doesn't care about the little kids because he doesn't know them and cares more about Johnny. He thinks he shouldn't save them.
6. When they are at Dairy Queen, what does Johnny tell Dally he is going to do?
Johnny tells Dally that he is sick of hiding out in the church and is going to turn himself in to the police.
7. How have Johnny’s parents reacted to his running away?
Johnny's parents haven't reacted to his running away because they don't care about Johnny. It is a sign that Johnny's parents don't care about the well-being of Johnny.
8. What do the boys see when they reach the top of Jay Mountain?
The boys see that the church is on fire and a bunch of kids outside freaking out because other kids are inside the church that is on fire.
9. When is the only time Ponyboy can remember seeing Johnny without a defeated, suspicious look in his eyes?
Ponyboy can remember seeing Johnny without a defeated, suspicious look in his eyes when he saves the little kids with him. To Ponyboy, it looked like he was having fun.
10. How does Dally get burned?
He gets burned by saving Johnny from the church on fire.
11. How does Johnny get hurt?
Johnny gets hurt by a beam landing on his back. He tried to push Ponyboy out of the church. He breaks his back.
12. What does Darry do when he sees Ponyboy in the hospital?
Darry cries when he sees Ponyboy in the hospital.
13. At the hospital Ponyboy realizes that Darry really cares for him. Why has Darry been so hard on Ponyboy in the past?
Darry has been so hard on Ponyboy in the past because he wants Ponyboy to have a better, more successful life than he has. He also wants whats best for Ponboy. He is looking out for Ponyboy. Darry cares about Ponyboy.
CHAPTER 7:
1. How were the boys injured? Why could they be considered heroes?
The boys were injured by burns and bruises. Johnny's burns are so severe that he might not survive. Ponyboy just has some bumps and bruises. He didn't burned bad. They could be considered heroes because they saved the little kids from the fire.
2. What additional problems did the brothers face after Ponyboy’s return?
Additional problems the brothers faced after Ponyboy's return was that Johnny might die and that the brothers might be separated. Soda and Ponyboy might be put in a boys' home because they are young and don't have a legal guardian.
3. What did Randy say kids want from parents? Do you agree or would you add some other points?
Randy said that kids want their parents to say no. Kids want limits and punishment as a consequence for their act. Randy said that the kids want the parents to say no because it shows that the parents care about the kids. It shows that the parents are looking after their kids. I agree with Randy.
4. Why are Ponyboy and Johnny scared of the police?
Ponyboy and Johnny are scared of the police because they are afraid that they are in trouble and they are afraid that they might go in jail.
5. What do you think it would have been like for Johnny to return to his home in a wheelchair?
Johnny is constantly abused by his parents physically, mentally, and emotionally. If Johnny showed up in a wheelchair, the parents wouldn't care. They probably wouldn't have noticed that he was in a wheelchair. Johnny's parents wouldn't care if he was injured. Or, maybe they wouldn't even know that he was injured.
6. What was it about Ponyboy that made others confide in him i.e., Cherry, Johnny, Randy?
Ponyboy is open and understandable about other people. He is friends with everybody. Ponyboy is not a typical greaser. He is known as being a good person, a track star, a student with an honor roll. Ponyboy is smart. That is why others confide in him
7. Why didn’t Randy want to fight in the rumble?
Randy doesn't want to fight because he is sick and tired of fighting. He knows that there would be a winner and a loser. He makes that point that greasers are greasers and that Socs and Socs.
8. What do the doctors say about Dally’s injuries?
The doctors say that Dally is going to be fine. His injuries aren't that severe.
9. What do the doctors say about Johnny’s injuries?
The doctors say that Johnny could be paralyzed and couldn't walk again or that he might die.
10. What one food does Ponyboy, Soda, and Darry all like for breakfast?
Ponyboy, Soda, and Darry all like chocolate cake for breakfast.
11. Why does Darry leave the front door unlocked?
Darry leaves the front door unlocked because if anybody is ever in trouble and needs a place to stay, their house is a place for them. Their house is a place to cool off and chill for people in trouble or in stress.
12. What charges were being brought against Johnny?
The charges that are being brought against Johnny are resisting arrest, manslaughter, and running away.
13. What will the court decide about Ponyboy?
The court will decide if Darry should or shouldn't care for Ponyboy. They also are deciding if Ponyboy should be charged for running away.
14. Where did Soda’s girlfriend go?
Soda's girlfriend, Sandy, went to Florida to be with her grandmother. The choice was marry a seventeen-year-old or go to Florida and be with her grandmother. Since her parents won't let her marry Sodapop, their parents ship her off to Florida.
15. Why does Randy say the rumble between the Socs and the Greasers won’t solve anything?
Randy says that greasers are greasers and Socs are Socs. Randy says that people are rough all over, no matter who you are.
CHAPTER 8:
1. Why did Ponyboy and Two-bit think they couldn’t get along without Johnny?
Ponyboy and Two-Bit think they couldn't get along without Johnny because Johnny was the gang's pet, their little brother. He is like their prized possession. They look out for Johnny and take care of Johnny.
2. How did Johnny feel about dying?
Johnny talked himself into killing himself. But, he changed his mind. Johnny is too young to die. He wants to experience and see new things in the world.
3. What did Johnny want the boys to get for him in the hospital? Why were these things important?
Johnny wanted the boys to get the book "Gone With The Wind" and hair grease. These things are important because he liked Ponyboy reading "Gone With The Wind" to him and hair grease made him feel better about himself.
4. How close to the truth was Johnny when he said he didn’t want to see his mother?
Johnny doesn't want to see his mother because she was never there for him. He is afraid that when his mother meets Johnny in the hospital, she would just stir up trouble. Johnny has a pretty accurate guess.
5. What was the significance of Ponyboy asking Cherry, “can you see the sunset real good from the West Side”?
Ponyboy says this to Cherry because he is driving in the part again that everyone lives in the same world, or sunset.
6. What two things does Johnny tell Two-Bit he wants him to bring?
Johnny tells Two-Bit to bring "Gone With The Wind" and hair grease.
7. Who comes to visit Johnny besides Ponyboy and Two-Bit?
Johnny's mother comes to visit Johnny besides Ponyboy and Two-Bit, but Johnny doesn't allow her to meet her.
8. What does Two-Bit give to Dally?
Two-Bit gives his switchblade to Dally.
9. What does Two-Bit say keeps Darry from being a Soc?
What Two-Bit says is that Sodapop and Ponyboy is what keeps Darry from being a Soc.
10. Why does Cherry say she can’t visit Johnny?
Cherry says that she can't visit Johnny because she said she can't look at the person who killed Bob.
1. Do you think hiding out was the best thing for Johnny and Ponyboy to do? Why or why not?
Hiding out was the best thing for Johnny and Ponyboy to do. It would be hard to fit it. Also, Johnny and Ponyboy would be wanted and police would try and look for them. They won't turn themselves in because Johnny could get hurt.
2. What did Johnny admire about Dally?
Johnny admired Dally's use of bad language.
3. Why did the boys cut their hair? Does the length of hair mean much to the boys? Is it important to you? To adults you know?
The boys cut their hair for a disguise. The length of hair means so much to the boys because their hair is what identifies them as greasers. Their hair is long and greasy. My hair is not really important to me, but I want my hair to be neat and not messed up.
4. Based on the supplies Johnny collected, what can you conclude about Johnny?
Johnny is resourceful. He clearly plans on doing this for a while. He is also thoughtful and remembering Ponyboy's book. It also makes me think that he has done this before.
5. Do you think crying helped the boys or made them weaker? Why?
Crying is a gesture of letting something out. It isn't a sign of weakness. Also, especially that they just killed someone.
6. What do you think the poem by Robert Frost on page 77 means? What do you think Frost is describing? Why do you think Ponyboy remembered this poem?
This poem by Robert Frost means that nothing can stay gold. Everything changes. That is what Frost is describing. Everything will change. Ponyboy remembered this poem because part of it is that he doesn't understand it.
7. What is another word for “heater”?
Another word for "heater" is gun.
8. Do you think Ponyboy and Johnny will ever be able to go home again? Why or why not?
Ponyboy and Johnny will be able to go home again. They are too young to survive on their own. Also, they are kind of homesick.
9. How does Johnny write a note to Ponyboy?
Johnny writes a note to Ponyboy on the dirt.
10. What is the one thing the Greasers are proud of?
The one thing the Greasers are proud of is hair.
11. How do Johnny and Ponyboy pass the time?
Johnny and Ponyboy pass the time by reading "Gone With The Wind", playing poker, and smoking cigarettes.
12. Who comes to visit Johnny and Ponyboy?
Dally comes to visit Johnny and Ponyboy.
13. Where do the police think Johnny and Ponyboy have gone?
The police think Johnny and Ponyboy have gone to Texas.
14. Who is spying on the Socs for the Greasers?
The one spying on the Socs for the Greasers is Cherry Valance.
CHAPTER 6:
1. Why do you think Cherry chose to associate with – and later help – Johnny and Ponyboy? Is she a spy?
Cherry is helping them because she likes Johnny and Ponyboy. She thinks that it is her fault for everything that happened: the drowning, the killing, etc. Right now, she is a spy for the Greasers.
2. Why do you think Johnny decided they should turn themselves in?
Johnny decided they should turn themselves in because it was the right thing to do and they can't hide forever and they might be let off easy. They are young, minors, and part of it is self-defense. Also, both of them want to go home. Even if Johnny's parents are still mean to him, Johnny still misses them.
3. What did Ponyboy learn about Dally?
Ponyboy learns from Dally that Dally cares for Johnny and Ponyboy but not his family.
4. Would you say Ponyboy and Johnny are heroes? Why or why not?
They are heroes because they saved the little kids and each other. Even though they started the fire. They are not heroes because they killed a Soc, might have started the fire, and ran away cowardly.
5. Why wouldn’t Dally go into the church for the kids, but he did go in for Johnny?
Dally cares about Johnny. Dally doesn't care about the little kids because he doesn't know them and cares more about Johnny. He thinks he shouldn't save them.
6. When they are at Dairy Queen, what does Johnny tell Dally he is going to do?
Johnny tells Dally that he is sick of hiding out in the church and is going to turn himself in to the police.
7. How have Johnny’s parents reacted to his running away?
Johnny's parents haven't reacted to his running away because they don't care about Johnny. It is a sign that Johnny's parents don't care about the well-being of Johnny.
8. What do the boys see when they reach the top of Jay Mountain?
The boys see that the church is on fire and a bunch of kids outside freaking out because other kids are inside the church that is on fire.
9. When is the only time Ponyboy can remember seeing Johnny without a defeated, suspicious look in his eyes?
Ponyboy can remember seeing Johnny without a defeated, suspicious look in his eyes when he saves the little kids with him. To Ponyboy, it looked like he was having fun.
10. How does Dally get burned?
He gets burned by saving Johnny from the church on fire.
11. How does Johnny get hurt?
Johnny gets hurt by a beam landing on his back. He tried to push Ponyboy out of the church. He breaks his back.
12. What does Darry do when he sees Ponyboy in the hospital?
Darry cries when he sees Ponyboy in the hospital.
13. At the hospital Ponyboy realizes that Darry really cares for him. Why has Darry been so hard on Ponyboy in the past?
Darry has been so hard on Ponyboy in the past because he wants Ponyboy to have a better, more successful life than he has. He also wants whats best for Ponboy. He is looking out for Ponyboy. Darry cares about Ponyboy.
CHAPTER 7:
1. How were the boys injured? Why could they be considered heroes?
The boys were injured by burns and bruises. Johnny's burns are so severe that he might not survive. Ponyboy just has some bumps and bruises. He didn't burned bad. They could be considered heroes because they saved the little kids from the fire.
2. What additional problems did the brothers face after Ponyboy’s return?
Additional problems the brothers faced after Ponyboy's return was that Johnny might die and that the brothers might be separated. Soda and Ponyboy might be put in a boys' home because they are young and don't have a legal guardian.
3. What did Randy say kids want from parents? Do you agree or would you add some other points?
Randy said that kids want their parents to say no. Kids want limits and punishment as a consequence for their act. Randy said that the kids want the parents to say no because it shows that the parents care about the kids. It shows that the parents are looking after their kids. I agree with Randy.
4. Why are Ponyboy and Johnny scared of the police?
Ponyboy and Johnny are scared of the police because they are afraid that they are in trouble and they are afraid that they might go in jail.
5. What do you think it would have been like for Johnny to return to his home in a wheelchair?
Johnny is constantly abused by his parents physically, mentally, and emotionally. If Johnny showed up in a wheelchair, the parents wouldn't care. They probably wouldn't have noticed that he was in a wheelchair. Johnny's parents wouldn't care if he was injured. Or, maybe they wouldn't even know that he was injured.
6. What was it about Ponyboy that made others confide in him i.e., Cherry, Johnny, Randy?
Ponyboy is open and understandable about other people. He is friends with everybody. Ponyboy is not a typical greaser. He is known as being a good person, a track star, a student with an honor roll. Ponyboy is smart. That is why others confide in him
7. Why didn’t Randy want to fight in the rumble?
Randy doesn't want to fight because he is sick and tired of fighting. He knows that there would be a winner and a loser. He makes that point that greasers are greasers and that Socs and Socs.
8. What do the doctors say about Dally’s injuries?
The doctors say that Dally is going to be fine. His injuries aren't that severe.
9. What do the doctors say about Johnny’s injuries?
The doctors say that Johnny could be paralyzed and couldn't walk again or that he might die.
10. What one food does Ponyboy, Soda, and Darry all like for breakfast?
Ponyboy, Soda, and Darry all like chocolate cake for breakfast.
11. Why does Darry leave the front door unlocked?
Darry leaves the front door unlocked because if anybody is ever in trouble and needs a place to stay, their house is a place for them. Their house is a place to cool off and chill for people in trouble or in stress.
12. What charges were being brought against Johnny?
The charges that are being brought against Johnny are resisting arrest, manslaughter, and running away.
13. What will the court decide about Ponyboy?
The court will decide if Darry should or shouldn't care for Ponyboy. They also are deciding if Ponyboy should be charged for running away.
14. Where did Soda’s girlfriend go?
Soda's girlfriend, Sandy, went to Florida to be with her grandmother. The choice was marry a seventeen-year-old or go to Florida and be with her grandmother. Since her parents won't let her marry Sodapop, their parents ship her off to Florida.
15. Why does Randy say the rumble between the Socs and the Greasers won’t solve anything?
Randy says that greasers are greasers and Socs are Socs. Randy says that people are rough all over, no matter who you are.
CHAPTER 8:
1. Why did Ponyboy and Two-bit think they couldn’t get along without Johnny?
Ponyboy and Two-Bit think they couldn't get along without Johnny because Johnny was the gang's pet, their little brother. He is like their prized possession. They look out for Johnny and take care of Johnny.
2. How did Johnny feel about dying?
Johnny talked himself into killing himself. But, he changed his mind. Johnny is too young to die. He wants to experience and see new things in the world.
3. What did Johnny want the boys to get for him in the hospital? Why were these things important?
Johnny wanted the boys to get the book "Gone With The Wind" and hair grease. These things are important because he liked Ponyboy reading "Gone With The Wind" to him and hair grease made him feel better about himself.
4. How close to the truth was Johnny when he said he didn’t want to see his mother?
Johnny doesn't want to see his mother because she was never there for him. He is afraid that when his mother meets Johnny in the hospital, she would just stir up trouble. Johnny has a pretty accurate guess.
5. What was the significance of Ponyboy asking Cherry, “can you see the sunset real good from the West Side”?
Ponyboy says this to Cherry because he is driving in the part again that everyone lives in the same world, or sunset.
6. What two things does Johnny tell Two-Bit he wants him to bring?
Johnny tells Two-Bit to bring "Gone With The Wind" and hair grease.
7. Who comes to visit Johnny besides Ponyboy and Two-Bit?
Johnny's mother comes to visit Johnny besides Ponyboy and Two-Bit, but Johnny doesn't allow her to meet her.
8. What does Two-Bit give to Dally?
Two-Bit gives his switchblade to Dally.
9. What does Two-Bit say keeps Darry from being a Soc?
What Two-Bit says is that Sodapop and Ponyboy is what keeps Darry from being a Soc.
10. Why does Cherry say she can’t visit Johnny?
Cherry says that she can't visit Johnny because she said she can't look at the person who killed Bob.