Greasers and Googles: The Building Blocks
What is the setting of The Outsiders?
1960's Oklahoma, primarily focusing on the lives of Greasers and Socs.
Who are the main characters in The Outsiders?
Ponyboy, Johnny, Dally, Darry, and Sodapop
What are the 6 different parts of a plot diagram? List them out in the correct order 1-6.
1. Exposition/Beginning
2. Conflict/Problem/Initial Incident
3. Rising Action
4. Climax
5. Falling Action
6. Resolution
Why did Ponyboy have a hard time with his oldest brother?
Ponyboy has a hard time with Darry because nothing Pony ever does is good enough for him and he has high expectations for Pony.
What is the social group Ponyboy belongs to?
The Greasers
What are the two different types of conflict presented in a story?
What are the names of the two rival groups in the novel?
The Greasers and the Socs
Describe the 3 rising actions in the story.
1. Ponyboy and Johnny at the movie theater where they meet Cherry.
2. Johnny killing Bob.
3. The church fire, where Dally, Johnny, and Ponyboy rescued kids from the fire.
How is Johnny characterized throughout the novel?
He is shy, vulnerable, and seeks protection from others.
Who are the two brothers Ponyboy lives with after his parents die?
Darry and Sodapop
Who is the narrator of the story?
Ponyboy
What happens during the exposition (beginning) of The Outsiders?
Introduction of the Greasers, Ponyboy getting jumped, tension with the Socs after Johnny getting jumped.
What is the climax of The Outsiders?
The rumble of the Greasers and the Socs. Johnny dying. Dally robbing a store with a gun and also dying.
What kind of person is Dally Winston?
Tough, rebellious, but deeply caring of his friends.
What event caused Ponyboy and Johnny to run away?
The death of Bob.
What is one of the themes of The Outsiders?
1. The novel shows the struggle between the Greasers (poorer kids) and the Socs (wealthier kids), highlighting how money and social status affect how people are treated.
2. Even though the Greasers aren’t related by blood, they act like a family and are very loyal to one another. This shows how strong chosen families can be–offering love and loyalty to all members of their gang.
3. Empathy and understanding of others perspectives (other gangs)--how both sides experience pain, fear, and love. Connecting all people together and creating understanding across social groups.
Who saves the children from the burning church?
Johnny, Ponyboy, and Dally save the children, leading to serious injuries for Johnny.
Tension increases after Ponyboy and Johnny meet Cherry at what location?
The drive-in movie theater
How does Darry's character develop in the story?
He is initially seen as strict, but reveals his deep love and concern for his brothers.
Where do Johnny and Ponyboy hide out after leaving town?
The abandoned church in Windrixville.
Briefly summarize the main conflict in The Outsiders.
The ongoing rivalry and violence between the Greasers and the Socs.
What does Ponyboy learn about the Socs by the end of the novel?
He learns that the Socs also face struggles and are not so different from the Greasers.
What is the resolution of the plot?
1. Darry having guardianships over Soda and Ponyboy.
2. The judge dismisses the case, saying Ponyboy and Johnny killed over self-defense.
3. Ponyboy writes a story for English, telling the story of his life with his friends, the Greasers.
Compare and contrast the characters of Ponyboy and Cherry Valance.
Both feel like outsiders; Ponyboy is a Greaser while Cherry is a Soc, highlighting their different perspectives on life.
Who writes Ponyboy a letter before dying?
Johnny.