Chapter 1
Who are Darry, Soda and Ponyboy.
They are orphaned brothers who live alone on the East Side. They are "Greasers," members of a gang of friends who look out for each other.
Who did Dally, Johnny and Ponyboy meet at the Nightly Double?
They met Cherry and Marcia, two Soc girls.
After talking with Cherry, what reason does Pony finally give for the separation between Greasers and Socs?
"It's not money, it's feeling--you don't feel anything and we feel too violently."
To whom do Johnny and Pony turn for help after Johnny killed Bob? Why?
They turn to Dally because he has experience at such things. Also, both Johnny's parents and Pony's brothers would have been of no help,
Why was Pony upset about getting a haircut?
"It was my pride. . . . Our hair labeled us Greasers, too -- it was our trademark. The one thing we were proud of. Maybe we couldn't have Corvairs or madras shirts, but we could have hair."
How are Greasers different from Socs?
Greasers are from the east side of town. They are poor and usually in trouble with the law. Socs (Socials) are from the west side of town. They come from wealthy families and have fancy cars and parties.
Contrast Dally's approach to Cherry and Marcia with Pony's, and contrast Cherry's response to Dally with her response to Pony.
Dally was rude, crude, foul-mouthed and annoying to the girls. Pony was polite, sensitive and rather soft-spoken. Cherry insulted and rejected Dally but accepted Pony's friendship.
Who were Cherry and Marcia's boyfriends?
They are Bob and Randy, two of the Socs who beat up Johnny. Bob had a blue Mustang and wore rings.
Why did Johnny and Pony go to Jay's Mountain?
There was an old church there where the boys could hide out until Dally could come with the next part of a plan.
What was Johnny's favorite part of Gone With the Wind? Of whom did it remind him?
He especially liked the gallant Southern gentlemen. They reminded him of Dally.
Who were other members of Pony's gang?
Darry, Soda, Two-Bit, Johnny, Dally, and Steve
Why were Cherry and Marcia alone at the drive-in?
The girls had a fight with their boyfriends, who left.
Why didn't the Socs and Greasers fight during their first encounter after the movie?
The Socs were interested in getting their girlfriends back. The boys knew the girls did not like fights, so they didn't fight. Also, it helped that the girls went along with them willingly. Had the girls protested, the Soc boys may have fought.
Why is it strange that the Soc boys show up at the park?
The Socs live on the east side. The park is on the west side, the Greasers' home.
When Dally finally arrives at the church, what news does he bring?
He tells the boys that the police are looking for them towards Texas. He brings a note from Soda to Pony. He also tells them that the Socs and Greasers are supposed to have a rumble the next night and that Cherry is a spy for the Greasers.
What happened to Pony on his way home from the movies?
He was jumped by some Socs. He was not seriously injured because his friends came along and ran off the Socs.
Pony was somewhat surprised that he was getting along with Cherry and Marcia. Why?
They were Socs; he was a Greaser. No Soc girls had ever spoken to him except to insult him.
Why was Pony late coming home from the Nightly Double?
He and Johnny stopped to look at the stars and talk, and they fell asleep.
What do the Soc boys drive?
a blue Mustang
What did Johnny announce after his fifth barbecue sandwich?
He wanted them to go back and turn themselves in to the police.
What had happened to Johnny prior to the time of this story?
He had been jumped and beaten by a group of Socs who came from a blue Mustang.
How do the boys get into the Nightly Double? Why do they choose to do that?
The boys sneak over the back of the fence into the Nightly Double without paying. They didn't pay because Dally liked to break laws whenever he could.
What happened to Johnny and Ponyboy at the park?
The Socs in the blue Mustang found them. They tried to drown Ponyboy in the fountain. Johnny got scared and stabbed Bob, killing him. The other Socs fled.
Why are the Soc boys angry at the Ponyboy and Johnny?
Ponyboy and Johnny were walking with their girlfriends.
Describe Johnny's relationship with his parents.
They ignored him or beat him up all of the time. He wanted them to take a personal interest in him and would have liked to please them, but they don't respond. They don't even ask for Johnny when he disappears after killing Bob.