"The Outsiders"
By: S. E. Hinton
Comprehension Questions
Ch. 9-12
CHAPTER 9:
1. What were the reasons that the various boy gave for fighting?
Some of the reasons they gave for fighting was to prove themselves as a gang, for vengeance, and that everybody else does it. It is an action and contest. They also want a reputation and want to uphold their reputation.
2. Why did Dally take Ponyboy to see Johnny after the rumble?
Dally took Ponyboy to see Johnny after the rumble because Johnny was dying.
3. What did Johnny mean when he told Ponyboy to “stay gold”?
What Johnny meant when he told Ponyboy to "stay gold" was to be yourself and never give up.
4. Think about yourself. Do you ever label someone as a hood, a scum, a nerd, a dork, because of the way someone is dressed or groomed? Have you been guilty of believing a stereotype and then found out later that the person just didn’t fit that perception? What does that tell you about first impressions?
I would rarely label someone as a hood, a scum, a nerd, or a dork because of the way someone is dressed or groomed. Sometimes I would. I don't think I have been guilty of believing a stereotype and then found out later that the person just didn't fit that perception. When I label someone, I rarely take the time to think about that person or reflect about it. What tells me is that first impression aren't always believable. Inside the person is what makes that person, not his or her appearance. You have to get to know the person to understand that person. First impressions aren't always reliable.
5. Do you agree or disagree with Ponyboy when he said that people usually go by looks so hoods will always be the bad guys and the clean shaven, neatly dressed kids will always be considered the good guys? Why?
I disagree with Ponyboy. I don't think people usually go by looks. Looks are just appearances. What the person is inside is what makes that person that particular kind of person.
6. Who are the good guys and bad guys in The Outsiders? Explain.
The good guys in "The Outsiders" are the greasers, and the bad guys are the Socs, according to the perspective of Ponyboy. According to Ponyboy, the good guys are the greasers because Ponyboy is part of the greasers, and the bad guys are the Socs because the greasers, the gang Ponyboy is in, are against the Socs and the Socs have always jumped the greasers. The Greasers despise the Socs, and the Socs despise the greasers.
7. What are the two things Greasers have to be proud of?
The two things Greasers have to be proud of are their reputation and their long, greasy hair.
8. Who is the only Greaser who doesn’t like fights?
The only Greaser who doesn't like fights is Ponyboy.
9. Why is Tim Shepard’s kid brother, Curly, not going to be at the rumble?
Tim Shepard's kid brother, Curly, is not going to be at the rumble because he is at the reformatory.
10. Why does Ponyboy feel he and his gang don’t belong with Tim Sheperd’s gang and the Brumly boys?
Ponyboy feels he and his gang don't belong with Tim Sheperd's gang and the Brumly boys because
11. What are the rules for the rumble?
The rules for the rumble are to only use your fists, no using weapons, and the first to run loses.
12. Who joins the rumble at the last minute?
Dallas Winston joins the rumble at the last minute.
13. How did Dally get out of the hospital?
Dally got out of the hospital by talking the nurse into it with Two-Bit's switchblade.
14. How does the fight end?
The fight ends by the Socs running from the fight.
15. Where do Ponyboy and Dally go after the rumble?
After the rumble Ponyboy and Dally go to the hospital to see Johnny.
16. How do they get there so quickly?
They get there so quickly by Dally dragging Ponyboy quickly to Buck Merril's T-bird parked in front of their house and then drive to the hospital.
17. What does Johnny tell Ponyboy to do?
Johnny tells Ponyboy to "stay gold", as it is said in a poem from Robert Frost.
CHAPTER 10:
1. Do you think the rumble was worth the trouble?
I think the rumble wasn't worth the trouble because it only caused more trouble. People died, were killed, and were injured. This rumble didn't solve anything.
2. Why did Dally want to die?
Dally wanted to die because he didn't care anymore. Johnny was the only reason he was living. Now that Johnny is dead, there is no purpose to live anymore for Dally.
3. How do you think the other Greasers will end up?
Soda, Darry, and Ponyboy will try to find a better life. The other Greasers will probably go their own ways, split up. Or, they could just remain a gang of Greasers.
4. Why was Ponyboy concerned with whether or not he had asked for Darry while he was unconscious?
Part of it is showing emotion for Darry. He doesn't want to leave Darry out. He has trouble being with him. But, he doesn't want to leave him out at the same time. Ponyboy and Darry have an awkward relationship.
5. How does Ponyboy get home from the hospital?
Ponyboy gets home from the hospital by being driven home by Dally.
6. Why is Dally so upset about Johnny’s death?
Johnny was the only reason for Dally's life. Without Johnny, Dally thinks he has no purpose in life anymore. Johnny is like his little brother. Johnny was somebody that Dally can hang out with.
7. Who phones Darry, and what does he want?
Dally calls Darry because he has just robbed a grocery store and wants back-up. Dally is in trouble with the law.
8. What did Johnny leave for Ponyboy?
Johnny left the book "Gone With The Wind" for Ponyboy. Johnny leaves the book because it was a shared experienced. They read it everywhere they went together.
9. Why wouldn’t Ponyboy eat anything when he was sick?
Ponyboy wouldn't eat anything when he was sick because he can't taste anything. He thinks every food he is given is baloney, so he doesn't eat anything.
10. Why is Ponyboy worried about whether or not he called for Darry when he was sick?
Part of it is showing emotion for Darry. He doesn't want to leave Darry out. He has trouble being with him. But, he doesn't want to leave him out at the same time. Ponyboy and Darry have an awkward relationship.
CHAPTER 11:
1. Why do you think Ponyboy was ill?
Ponyboy was ill because he was kicked on the head. He had a concussion.
2. Why did Randy come to visit Ponyboy when he was ill? Why did Ponyboy not care that Randy was seeing his house in a messy condition?
Randy came to visit Ponyboy when he was ill because they have a mutual understanding. They can relate to one another. Randy tells Ponyboy that they are going to court and that he is going to be honest at court. Randy then wants honesty from Ponyboy in court. Ponyboy doesn't care that Randy was seeing his house in a messy condition because Randy is nonjudgmental. Ponyboy doesn't care what Randy thinks about his house because Randy isn't worried about that. He is worried about going to court and being honest at court.
3. Why do you think Ponyboy said he’d killed Bob and that Johnny wasn’t dead? (p.g. 165-166)
Ponyboy is in denial. He doesn't want to think his best friend is dead. Ponyboy says that he'd killed Bob because he doesn't want Johnny to be known as a murderer. He wants Johnny to be remembered as a hero, a good person.
4. Why was Ponyboy concerned about his friends seeing his house but not about Randy seeing his house?
Randy came to visit Ponyboy when he was ill because they have a mutual understanding. They can relate to one another. Randy tells Ponyboy that they are going to court and that he is going to be honest at court. Randy then wants honesty from Ponyboy in court. Ponyboy doesn't care that Randy was seeing his house in a messy condition because Randy is nonjudgmental. Ponyboy doesn't care what Randy thinks about his house because Randy isn't worried about that. He is worried about going to court and being honest at court.
5. Why did Ponyboy say he’d killed Bob and that Johnny wasn’t dead?
Ponyboy is in denial. He doesn't want to think his best friend is dead. Ponyboy says that he'd killed Bob because he doesn't want Johnny to be known as a murderer. He wants Johnny to be remembered as a hero, a good person.
CHAPTER 12:
1. Why was the court hearing important? What were possible decisions of the court?
The court hearing was important because it would determine Ponyboy's life. The possible decisions of the court are innocent and guilty. It is up to the judge and it is up to the jury. He could end up on an electric chair or in jail or in a boys' home.
2. Why do you think Ponyboy’s like was still troubled after the court hearing?
Ponyboy wasn't the same. Going something like that can affect someone's life. Emotionally, he wasn't the same.
3. What message did Johnny leave in the book?
The message Johnny left in the book is to stay gold and be new to Ponyboy. He also told Ponyboy to tell Dally that it was worth dying. It was worth dying for those little kids. Johnny says that the lives of the little kids are worth more than his. The little kids have more to live for, Johnny says. He said to Ponyboy to ask Dally to look at a sunset, just for him. Johnny wrote that he wasn't afraid to die anymore.
4. What do you think the doctor told the judge before the hearing?
What the doctor might have told the judge before the hearing is that Ponyboy is not in a very good state to answer questions. Maybe, the doctor told the judge that Ponyboy is in no shape to be at court answering questions, both physically and emotionally. Maybe that's why the judge hadn't asked so much questions to Ponyboy.
5. Why did Ponyboy’s life seem so different after the hearing?
Ponyboy's life seem so different after the hearing because Ponyboy had a bad mentality. He was thinking about Johnny too much. It looks like Ponyboy wanted to give up. He was getting bad grades at school, which disappointed Darry. He was running in to things, such as the door and the coffee table. Ponyboy's life seemed so different because of his bad mentality. The hearing affected his life. He felt nothing. He felt numb. He was emotionally numb. He didn't wanted to eat because everything tasted like baloney.
6. Why did Soda think that being like Dally before he died was worse than being dead?
Soda thought that being like Dally before he died was worse than being dead because Dally's life wasn't going well for him. He didn't have success in life. Being tough changed Dally's life.
7. What do you think Ponyboy will write about in his theme? Why? What will be the result of his having written about events of the past week? (Hint: Look at the first two sentences of the novel.)
What I think Ponyboy will write about in his theme is the life of a Greaser. The reason is because he wants people to think that Greasers are not bad people or hoods. He wants people to think that they are more than just bad people to them.
8. Why does Ponyboy think that his experiences as a Greaser are important for everyone to read about?
Ponyboy thinks that his experiences as a Greaser are important for everyone to read about because he wants people to think the Greasers aren't always bad all the time. They have problems. They have a life. He wants people to think that Greasers are more than just hoods. It is a good think to know all aspects of people, good or bad. In the novel, people don't really understand Greasers until you get to know them. It is to show other people that they are regular people, like everyone else.
9. What is one of the stereotypes in this novel? How is it INACCURATE?
One stereotype is that Greasers are white trash and that they care about their hair. This is inaccurate because there can be different colored people. Also, the stereotype of Greasers care about the hair is inaccurate because Johnny and Ponyboy cut their hair to be disguised.
10. What is the theme of The Outsiders? There is definitely more than one right answer.
The theme of "The Outsiders" is that all people, no matter what other people think about a particular group, are like everyone else. They live normal lives, just like other people. All people have good times and bad times. All people have problems.
11. What is Darry’s motivation throughout the novel?
Darry's motivation throughout the novel is Ponyboy. He has been trying to take care of Ponyboy. Ponyboy's life and potential has motivated Darry throughout the novel.
12. Why is the last sentence of the book unusual?
The last sentence of the book is unusually because that last sentence is the same as the first sentence of the book.
1. What were the reasons that the various boy gave for fighting?
Some of the reasons they gave for fighting was to prove themselves as a gang, for vengeance, and that everybody else does it. It is an action and contest. They also want a reputation and want to uphold their reputation.
2. Why did Dally take Ponyboy to see Johnny after the rumble?
Dally took Ponyboy to see Johnny after the rumble because Johnny was dying.
3. What did Johnny mean when he told Ponyboy to “stay gold”?
What Johnny meant when he told Ponyboy to "stay gold" was to be yourself and never give up.
4. Think about yourself. Do you ever label someone as a hood, a scum, a nerd, a dork, because of the way someone is dressed or groomed? Have you been guilty of believing a stereotype and then found out later that the person just didn’t fit that perception? What does that tell you about first impressions?
I would rarely label someone as a hood, a scum, a nerd, or a dork because of the way someone is dressed or groomed. Sometimes I would. I don't think I have been guilty of believing a stereotype and then found out later that the person just didn't fit that perception. When I label someone, I rarely take the time to think about that person or reflect about it. What tells me is that first impression aren't always believable. Inside the person is what makes that person, not his or her appearance. You have to get to know the person to understand that person. First impressions aren't always reliable.
5. Do you agree or disagree with Ponyboy when he said that people usually go by looks so hoods will always be the bad guys and the clean shaven, neatly dressed kids will always be considered the good guys? Why?
I disagree with Ponyboy. I don't think people usually go by looks. Looks are just appearances. What the person is inside is what makes that person that particular kind of person.
6. Who are the good guys and bad guys in The Outsiders? Explain.
The good guys in "The Outsiders" are the greasers, and the bad guys are the Socs, according to the perspective of Ponyboy. According to Ponyboy, the good guys are the greasers because Ponyboy is part of the greasers, and the bad guys are the Socs because the greasers, the gang Ponyboy is in, are against the Socs and the Socs have always jumped the greasers. The Greasers despise the Socs, and the Socs despise the greasers.
7. What are the two things Greasers have to be proud of?
The two things Greasers have to be proud of are their reputation and their long, greasy hair.
8. Who is the only Greaser who doesn’t like fights?
The only Greaser who doesn't like fights is Ponyboy.
9. Why is Tim Shepard’s kid brother, Curly, not going to be at the rumble?
Tim Shepard's kid brother, Curly, is not going to be at the rumble because he is at the reformatory.
10. Why does Ponyboy feel he and his gang don’t belong with Tim Sheperd’s gang and the Brumly boys?
Ponyboy feels he and his gang don't belong with Tim Sheperd's gang and the Brumly boys because
11. What are the rules for the rumble?
The rules for the rumble are to only use your fists, no using weapons, and the first to run loses.
12. Who joins the rumble at the last minute?
Dallas Winston joins the rumble at the last minute.
13. How did Dally get out of the hospital?
Dally got out of the hospital by talking the nurse into it with Two-Bit's switchblade.
14. How does the fight end?
The fight ends by the Socs running from the fight.
15. Where do Ponyboy and Dally go after the rumble?
After the rumble Ponyboy and Dally go to the hospital to see Johnny.
16. How do they get there so quickly?
They get there so quickly by Dally dragging Ponyboy quickly to Buck Merril's T-bird parked in front of their house and then drive to the hospital.
17. What does Johnny tell Ponyboy to do?
Johnny tells Ponyboy to "stay gold", as it is said in a poem from Robert Frost.
CHAPTER 10:
1. Do you think the rumble was worth the trouble?
I think the rumble wasn't worth the trouble because it only caused more trouble. People died, were killed, and were injured. This rumble didn't solve anything.
2. Why did Dally want to die?
Dally wanted to die because he didn't care anymore. Johnny was the only reason he was living. Now that Johnny is dead, there is no purpose to live anymore for Dally.
3. How do you think the other Greasers will end up?
Soda, Darry, and Ponyboy will try to find a better life. The other Greasers will probably go their own ways, split up. Or, they could just remain a gang of Greasers.
4. Why was Ponyboy concerned with whether or not he had asked for Darry while he was unconscious?
Part of it is showing emotion for Darry. He doesn't want to leave Darry out. He has trouble being with him. But, he doesn't want to leave him out at the same time. Ponyboy and Darry have an awkward relationship.
5. How does Ponyboy get home from the hospital?
Ponyboy gets home from the hospital by being driven home by Dally.
6. Why is Dally so upset about Johnny’s death?
Johnny was the only reason for Dally's life. Without Johnny, Dally thinks he has no purpose in life anymore. Johnny is like his little brother. Johnny was somebody that Dally can hang out with.
7. Who phones Darry, and what does he want?
Dally calls Darry because he has just robbed a grocery store and wants back-up. Dally is in trouble with the law.
8. What did Johnny leave for Ponyboy?
Johnny left the book "Gone With The Wind" for Ponyboy. Johnny leaves the book because it was a shared experienced. They read it everywhere they went together.
9. Why wouldn’t Ponyboy eat anything when he was sick?
Ponyboy wouldn't eat anything when he was sick because he can't taste anything. He thinks every food he is given is baloney, so he doesn't eat anything.
10. Why is Ponyboy worried about whether or not he called for Darry when he was sick?
Part of it is showing emotion for Darry. He doesn't want to leave Darry out. He has trouble being with him. But, he doesn't want to leave him out at the same time. Ponyboy and Darry have an awkward relationship.
CHAPTER 11:
1. Why do you think Ponyboy was ill?
Ponyboy was ill because he was kicked on the head. He had a concussion.
2. Why did Randy come to visit Ponyboy when he was ill? Why did Ponyboy not care that Randy was seeing his house in a messy condition?
Randy came to visit Ponyboy when he was ill because they have a mutual understanding. They can relate to one another. Randy tells Ponyboy that they are going to court and that he is going to be honest at court. Randy then wants honesty from Ponyboy in court. Ponyboy doesn't care that Randy was seeing his house in a messy condition because Randy is nonjudgmental. Ponyboy doesn't care what Randy thinks about his house because Randy isn't worried about that. He is worried about going to court and being honest at court.
3. Why do you think Ponyboy said he’d killed Bob and that Johnny wasn’t dead? (p.g. 165-166)
Ponyboy is in denial. He doesn't want to think his best friend is dead. Ponyboy says that he'd killed Bob because he doesn't want Johnny to be known as a murderer. He wants Johnny to be remembered as a hero, a good person.
4. Why was Ponyboy concerned about his friends seeing his house but not about Randy seeing his house?
Randy came to visit Ponyboy when he was ill because they have a mutual understanding. They can relate to one another. Randy tells Ponyboy that they are going to court and that he is going to be honest at court. Randy then wants honesty from Ponyboy in court. Ponyboy doesn't care that Randy was seeing his house in a messy condition because Randy is nonjudgmental. Ponyboy doesn't care what Randy thinks about his house because Randy isn't worried about that. He is worried about going to court and being honest at court.
5. Why did Ponyboy say he’d killed Bob and that Johnny wasn’t dead?
Ponyboy is in denial. He doesn't want to think his best friend is dead. Ponyboy says that he'd killed Bob because he doesn't want Johnny to be known as a murderer. He wants Johnny to be remembered as a hero, a good person.
CHAPTER 12:
1. Why was the court hearing important? What were possible decisions of the court?
The court hearing was important because it would determine Ponyboy's life. The possible decisions of the court are innocent and guilty. It is up to the judge and it is up to the jury. He could end up on an electric chair or in jail or in a boys' home.
2. Why do you think Ponyboy’s like was still troubled after the court hearing?
Ponyboy wasn't the same. Going something like that can affect someone's life. Emotionally, he wasn't the same.
3. What message did Johnny leave in the book?
The message Johnny left in the book is to stay gold and be new to Ponyboy. He also told Ponyboy to tell Dally that it was worth dying. It was worth dying for those little kids. Johnny says that the lives of the little kids are worth more than his. The little kids have more to live for, Johnny says. He said to Ponyboy to ask Dally to look at a sunset, just for him. Johnny wrote that he wasn't afraid to die anymore.
4. What do you think the doctor told the judge before the hearing?
What the doctor might have told the judge before the hearing is that Ponyboy is not in a very good state to answer questions. Maybe, the doctor told the judge that Ponyboy is in no shape to be at court answering questions, both physically and emotionally. Maybe that's why the judge hadn't asked so much questions to Ponyboy.
5. Why did Ponyboy’s life seem so different after the hearing?
Ponyboy's life seem so different after the hearing because Ponyboy had a bad mentality. He was thinking about Johnny too much. It looks like Ponyboy wanted to give up. He was getting bad grades at school, which disappointed Darry. He was running in to things, such as the door and the coffee table. Ponyboy's life seemed so different because of his bad mentality. The hearing affected his life. He felt nothing. He felt numb. He was emotionally numb. He didn't wanted to eat because everything tasted like baloney.
6. Why did Soda think that being like Dally before he died was worse than being dead?
Soda thought that being like Dally before he died was worse than being dead because Dally's life wasn't going well for him. He didn't have success in life. Being tough changed Dally's life.
7. What do you think Ponyboy will write about in his theme? Why? What will be the result of his having written about events of the past week? (Hint: Look at the first two sentences of the novel.)
What I think Ponyboy will write about in his theme is the life of a Greaser. The reason is because he wants people to think that Greasers are not bad people or hoods. He wants people to think that they are more than just bad people to them.
8. Why does Ponyboy think that his experiences as a Greaser are important for everyone to read about?
Ponyboy thinks that his experiences as a Greaser are important for everyone to read about because he wants people to think the Greasers aren't always bad all the time. They have problems. They have a life. He wants people to think that Greasers are more than just hoods. It is a good think to know all aspects of people, good or bad. In the novel, people don't really understand Greasers until you get to know them. It is to show other people that they are regular people, like everyone else.
9. What is one of the stereotypes in this novel? How is it INACCURATE?
One stereotype is that Greasers are white trash and that they care about their hair. This is inaccurate because there can be different colored people. Also, the stereotype of Greasers care about the hair is inaccurate because Johnny and Ponyboy cut their hair to be disguised.
10. What is the theme of The Outsiders? There is definitely more than one right answer.
The theme of "The Outsiders" is that all people, no matter what other people think about a particular group, are like everyone else. They live normal lives, just like other people. All people have good times and bad times. All people have problems.
11. What is Darry’s motivation throughout the novel?
Darry's motivation throughout the novel is Ponyboy. He has been trying to take care of Ponyboy. Ponyboy's life and potential has motivated Darry throughout the novel.
12. Why is the last sentence of the book unusual?
The last sentence of the book is unusually because that last sentence is the same as the first sentence of the book.