Character Analysis
This is the protagonist in The Outsiders.
Who is Ponyboy?
This poem, recited by Ponyboy, symbolizes innocence and the fleeting nature of youth.
What is “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost?
"You get tough like me and you don‘t get hurt. You look out for yourself and nothin‘ can touch you."
Who is Dallas "Dally" Winston?
The decade in which The Outsiders takes place.
What is the 1960's?
The name of the town Johnny and Ponyboy run away to hide.
What is Windrixville?
The event that causes Johnny to become severely injured.
What is saving children from the burning church? and/or What is a beam falling on him?
This character is Ponyboy’s oldest brother.
Who is Darry?
This car symbolizes the Socs’ wealth and their intimidation of the Greasers.
What is the blue Mustang?
"Things are rough all over."
Who is Cherry Valance?
The name of Sodapop's horse.
What is Mickey Mouse?
The city where the story takes place.
What is Tulsa, Oklahoma?
After Ponyboy threatens the Socs with a broken bottle, he does this to show that he hasn't lost his sense of right and wrong.
What is he picks up the broken glass so nobody gets a flat tire?
Johnny's last words to Ponyboy.
What is "Stay gold, Ponyboy"?
This item, frequently used by Greasers and Socs alike, represents violence and self-defense in their world.
What is a switchblade?
"When you're a kid, you're gold, like green. When you're a kid everything's new, dawn. It's just when you get used to everything that it's day."
Who is Johnny Cade?
The job that Sodapop works to make money for their family.
What is the local gas station (The DX)?
Where Sandy moved after Soda told her he wanted to get married.
What is Florida?
The event that causes the Socs to attack the boys at the park.
What is Ponyboy and Johnny were with their girlfriends?
At the start of the book, Ponyboy says he had two things on his mind.
What is "Paul Newman and a ride home"?
This theme is shown by the close bond between Ponyboy, Sodapop, and Darry after their parents’ death.
What is the importance of family?
"You can‘t win, even if you whip us. You‘ll still be where you were before—at the bottom. And we‘ll still be the lucky ones with all the breaks. So it doesn‘t do any good, the fighting and the killing. It doesn‘t prove a thing."
Who is Randy Adderson?
S.E. Hinton's age when she wrote The Outsiders.
What is 16 years old?
The name of the mountain where the abandoned church is located.
What is Jay Mountain?
The name of Darry's former friend who threw the first punch during the rumble.
Who is Paul Holden?
This fear drives Johnny’s actions throughout the novel.
What is the fear of being hurt or abused? (Especially by his parents and the Socs.)
This recurring theme is highlighted when Ponyboy decides to write the book.
What is "things are rough all over" (universality of struggle)?
"We saw the same sunset."
Who is Ponyboy Curtis?
The meaning of the word gallant.
What is a brave or honorable gentleman?
The name of the drive-in movie theater.
What is The Nightly Double?
The book that Ponyboy and Johnny read while hiding out.
What is Gone With the Wind?