Literary Elements
Identify the literary element represented in the following example: "Darry love me? I thought of those hard, pale eyes. Soda was wrong for once, I thought. Darry doesn't love anyone or anything, except maybe Soda."
What is... motif?
Why does Randy decide not to go to the rumble?
What is... he realizes that the fighting wouldn't solve anything between the Socs and the Greasers?
Identify the static character from the list: Ponyboy, Darry, Randy, Steve.
Who is... Steve?
What does the judge decide about whether or not Ponyboy is guilty in Bob's death?
Who is the leader of the OTHER Greaser gang?
Who is... Tim Shepard?
Identify the literary element represented in the following example: "I really couldn't see what the Socs would sweat about - good grades, good cars, good girls, madras and Mustangs and Corsair's - Man, I thought if I had worries like that I'd consider myself lucky. I know better now."
What is... foreshadowing?
Identify the plot element that this event takes place in: Ponyboy passes out after he witnesses Dallas Winston's death.
What is... the falling action?
When Bob pulls up to Cherry, Marcia, Two-Bit, Ponyboy, and Johnny, Johnny gets very quiet and nervous. What can be inferred about Bob from this scene?
What is... Bob was the one who jumped Johnny from the flashback?
Why does Cherry not go to see Johnny in the hospital?
What is... even though she knows it was self defense, she still cared for Bob and struggles to see Johnny?
What happened to the Curtis brother's parents?
What is... they died in a car accident 8 months prior?
Identify the literary element represented in the following example: Gone With the Wind
What is... allusion?
Identify the plot element that this event takes place in: Johnny kills Bob in the park after Bob starts drowning Ponyboy.
What is... the rising action?
Why does Johnny describe Dally as being "gallant"?
What is... because he took the fall for a crime that Two-Bit committed?
Why does Johnny not want to see his mother when she arrives at the hospital?
What is... he thinks she'll tell him about all the trouble he's causing her?
What is revealed about the book based on the following line: "When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home..."
What is... the entire book is Ponyboy's theme paper for his English class?
Identify the literary element represented in the following example: Randy decides not to participate in the rumble that follows Bob's death.
What is... situational irony?
Name an event from the story that does NOT propel the plot forward.
What is... answers vary, but some examples include:
- Sodapop's girlfriend leaves for Florida and does not respond to his letter.
- Randy visits Ponyboy while he is sick in bed.
- Marcia gives Two-Bit her phone number.
Why would Ponyboy be worried about whether or not he called out for Darry when he was sick in bed?
What is... he wants Darry to know that he loves him too?
Why do the Socs jump Ponyboy and Johnny in the park?
What is... because they were hanging out with Cherry and Marcia?
Identify a potential theme for the story.
What is... answers vary, examples include:
- Everybody has problems in their life, no matter their social status.
- Anybody has the opportunity to become a hero, no matter what they've done in the past.
- Individuals can maintain their own identity even within a group
Identify the literary element represented in the following example: "Dally raised the gun and I thought: You blasted fool. They don't know you're only bluffing."
What is... dramatic irony?
Explain the significance of Cherry becoming a spy for the Greasers.
What is... answers vary, examples include:
- It is an example of situational irony.
- She was Bob's girlfriend, but knows that what he did was wrong.
Explain why Darry is a dynamic character.
What is... answers vary, but example includes:
- Darry's view of Ponyboy changes throughout the story. By the end, he is not as tough on him and gives him and shows him more love because of everything he has been through.
Explain the significance of "Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold..."
What is... these are Johnny's last words to Ponyboy, telling him to stay good, keep his innocence, and not let the world change who he is?
Explain the significance of sunsets in The Outsiders.
What is... answers vary, examples include:
- Sunsets prove that the Greasers and the wealthy Socs live under the same sky and experience the same world, regardless of their economic differences.
- Sunsets can represent a paradise, someplace where everybody is seen as equal.