The Outsiders

Characters

100

Give FIVE adjectives that BEST describe Ponyboy's personality. 

thoughtful, intelligent, independent, a dreamer, empathetic, sympathetic, kind, understanding, sweet, loyal, open-minded, studious, heroic, honest, sensitive 

200

Give FIVE adjectives that BEST describe Johnny's personality. 

damaged, hurt, quiet, shy, brave, thoughtful, nervous, loyal, wise, lovable, compassionate, kind, understanding

300

How are Dally and Bob's personalities similar? Why is Cherry attracted to both of them?

They are both confident, cool, intimidating, tough, hard, and violent at times. Cherry is attracted to both of them because they are natural leaders whom people follow and respect.

400

Write all of the greasers' first AND last names on the board (there are seven).

Ponyboy, Sodapop, and Darrel (Darry) Curtis; Steve Randle; Keith (Two-Bit) Matthews; Dallas (Dally) Winston; Johnny Cade

500

Before the rumble, Ponyboy asks everyone why they like to fight. Why do Darry, Soda, Steve, and Two-Bit like to fight?

Darry fights for pride, Soda for fun, Steve for hatred, and Two-Bit for conformity (because everyone else is doing it).

Stages of Plot

100

What are the five stages of plot?

exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution

200

What are two important falling action events?

1) Dally robs a store, aims his unloaded gun at the police, and is killed. 2) Ponyboy collapses from exhaustion and shock. 3) Ponyboy goes to the trial and is acquitted (the case is dropped). 4) Ponyboy finds the letter from Johnny.

300

In which stage of plot does Ponyboy break off the end of the soda bottle and threaten to cut the Socs if they don't get back in their car?

falling action

400

What is the climax of the novel and WHY is this the climax?

The climax of the novel occurs when Johnny dies. Johnny is one of the most important characters in the story; he is the gang's pet. His death after saving the kids in the church fire is a shocking end to his short sixteen years. The greasers will never be the same after his death.

500

What are four important rising action events in the story?

1) Ponyboy is jumped by the Socs. 2) Ponyboy and Johnny meet Cherry and Marcia at the drive-in. 3) Johnny kills Bob. 4) Johnny and Ponyboy hide in the church. 4) The church catches on fire and they save the kids. 5) The Greasers beat the Socs in the rumble.

Theme

100

What does the word "theme" mean?

the lesson you learn from reading the story; a universal idea explored in a piece of writing

200

Explain what Cherry meant when she said, "Things are rough all over" and how it relates to the Socs.

Just because the Socs are rich and seem to have everything, doesn't mean their lives are easy or without problems. Everyone has struggles; having money doesn't mean life is perfect.

300

Why did the author S.E. Hinton decide to write The Outsiders?

One day a friend was walking home from school and a bunch of kids jumped out of a car and beat him up because they didn't like his being a greaser. This made her angry, so Hinton went home and started writing. She wanted to write a story that told what teenagers really go through.

400

In his letter, why does Johnny ask Ponyboy to tell Dally to look at a sunset?

He wants Dally to find beauty and goodness in the world, too. He wants Dally to stop being so angry and cynical all the time, and find peace in his life.

500

EXPLAIN what is the MOST important conflict & the MOST important theme in The Outsiders.

The characters in The Outsiders judge each other based on their social class (rich vs. poor, Socs vs. greasers, upper class vs. lower class). When we judge people and stereotype them, we begin to think everyone in that group acts the same and thinks the same. The theme is we should not hate anyone because of where they are from or how much money they have. We need to get to know people before making judgements. As Ponyboy got to know Cherry and Randy, he realized that everyone is an individual.

"Nothing Gold Can Stay"

100

Who is the author of the poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay?"

Robert Frost

200

WHERE and WHY does Ponyboy recite the poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay" to Johnny?

Ponyboy and Johnny are watching the sunrise in the morning from the abandoned church. It is very beautiful, and it reminds Ponyboy of the poem he learned in English class.

300

EXPLAIN what Johnny means when he tells Ponyboy to "Stay gold."

Johnny is telling Pony to stay innocent and good and pure. He doesn't want Pony to get tough and cynical like most of the other greasers in his neighborhood.

400

EXPLAIN the true message in "Nothing Gold Can Stay" and how it relates to Johnny and Ponyboy's situation.

You are gold when you are young. Then as you grow up, you change and lose your innocence. Johnny and Ponyboy were both gold before Bob's murder, but part of their innocence is now lost and they are forced to grow up quickly.

500

Recite the TITLE, AUTHOR, and POEM.

"Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Robert Frost. 

Nature's first green is gold, 

Her hardest hue to hold. 

Her early leaf's a flower, 

But only so an hour. 

Then leaf subsides to leaf. 

So Eden sank to grief, 

So dawn goes down to day. 

Nothing gold can stay.

Setting

100

In which city and state does the story take place?

Tulsa, Oklahoma

200

In what time period does the story take place?

the 1960s

300

What is the name of the town where Johnny and Ponyboy hide after killing Bob? Describe in detail what it is like there.

They are in the country in a small town called Windrixville. They stay in an abandoned church at the top of Jay Mountain. It is beautiful and quiet and peaceful.

400

What does the church symbolize and why is it so important to the story?

The church symbolizes safety and protection. It is important to the story because Johnny and Ponyboy are able to forget their problems back home and be themselves for a while. It is also where Johnny, Dally, and Ponyboy save the children and become heroes.