Characters
This Greaser is the narrator of the story.
➤ Answer: Who is Ponyboy?
✅ Justification: Ponyboy tells the story from his point of view. He shares his thoughts, feelings, and experiences, which makes him the narrator and main character.
What is the main difference between the Greasers and the Socs?
➤ Answer: What is social class/money?
✅ Justification: Greasers come from poor, working-class backgrounds, while Socs are wealthy and live on the West Side. This economic divide fuels much of the conflict in the novel.
Which theme is shown when Ponyboy and Cherry talk about sunsets?
➤ Answer: What is shared humanity (or breaking down social barriers)?
✅ Justification: Despite being from different worlds, they realise they see the same sunset. It shows that people are more alike than different.
“When I stepped out into the bright sunlight…” is the opening line. What technique is used?
➤ Answer: What is first-person narration?
✅ Justification: The story is told from Ponyboy’s perspective, helping the reader connect with his thoughts and emotions.
Who saves Ponyboy from being jumped by Socs in Chapter 1?
➤ Answer: Who are Darry and the Greasers?
✅ Justification: Ponyboy is rescued by his gang, showing their loyalty and brotherhood.
He’s the youngest of the gang and carries a switchblade after being beaten up by Socs.
➤ Answer: Who is Johnny Cade?
✅ Justification: After being badly beaten by Socs, Johnny becomes nervous and always carries a knife for protection. His character shows the lasting impact of violence.
This Greaser says, “It’s not just money… it’s feeling—you don’t feel anything and we feel too violently.”
➤ Answer: Who is Ponyboy?
✅ Justification: Ponyboy realises that Socs are emotionally detached while Greasers feel everything deeply. This shows the emotional and psychological divide between the groups.
What theme is shown when Johnny kills Bob to save Ponyboy?
➤ Answer: What is survival or loyalty?
✅ Justification: Johnny acts out of fear and protection. This moment reflects loyalty to his friend and the survival instinct caused by repeated trauma.
“Things are rough all over.” Who says this and why is it important?
➤ Answer: Who is Cherry Valance? It shows that everyone has problems, regardless of class.
✅ Justification: Cherry’s quote challenges stereotypes and shows the theme of shared struggle.
What major event happens in the park in Chapter 4?
➤ Answer: What is Johnny kills Bob in self-defence?
✅ Justification: This is the turning point in the novel, forcing Johnny and Ponyboy to flee and face consequences.
This character is strict but cares deeply about his younger brothers.
➤ Answer: Who is Darry?
✅ Justification: Darry is Ponyboy and Sodapop's older brother. Though he’s often tough on Ponyboy, it’s because he wants what’s best for him and is under pressure to keep their family together.
What is a common symbol of the Socs’ wealth and status?
➤ Answer: What is a blue Mustang (or Madras shirts)?
✅ Justification: Socs are associated with expensive cars and stylish clothing, which visually shows their privilege and intimidation tactics.
The rivalry between the Greasers and Socs best represents which theme?
➤ Answer: What is social division or prejudice?
✅ Justification: The novel explores how stereotypes and class conflict create tension and misunderstanding between groups.
“I had to. They were drowning you, Pony.” Who said this and what event is it from?
➤ Answer: Who is Johnny, after killing Bob in the park.
✅ Justification: It explains Johnny’s action in self-defence, adding to his character development and the theme of survival.
Where do Ponyboy and Johnny hide after the park incident?
➤ Answer: What is an abandoned church in Windrixville?
✅ Justification: Dally helps them escape, and they spend several days hiding and reflecting
This Soc girl tells Ponyboy that "things are rough all over."
➤ Answer: Who is Cherry Valance?
✅ Justification: Cherry helps Ponyboy understand that Socs have struggles too, breaking down stereotypes. She’s a key character in showing the theme of shared human experience.
What do the Greasers use to show their identity?
➤ Answer: What is their long, greased hair?
✅ Justification: Their hair is a sign of unity and rebellion. It’s something they are proud of and use to express who they are.
What theme is explored through Ponyboy’s love of reading and watching movies?
➤ Answer: What is identity or individuality?
✅ Justification: Ponyboy is different from most Greasers. His interests show that identity is complex and not defined by group labels.
“We’re poorer than the Socs and the middle class. I reckon we’re wilder, too.” What does this show?
➤ Answer: It shows Ponyboy’s awareness of social identity and stereotypes.
✅ Justification: He understands how the Greasers are seen by others and reflects on their differences.
What happens to the church while they’re hiding there?
➤ Answer: It catches fire, and they save a group of children inside.
✅ Justification: This shows Johnny and Ponyboy’s heroism and begins their public transformation from "criminals" to "heroes."
He’s the toughest member of the Greasers and once lived in New York.
➤ Answer: Who is Dally (Dallas Winston)?
✅ Justification: Dally has a criminal past and a hard personality. His time in New York toughened him, and he tries to protect Johnny by teaching him to be tough too.
What does Cherry mean when she says, “You Greasers have a different set of values”?
➤ Answer: What is that Greasers value loyalty and emotions more than appearances and wealth?
✅ Justification: Cherry sees that while Socs care about reputation and material things, Greasers have strong emotional bonds and loyalty, showing a deeper kind of richness.
What message is suggested by Johnny’s quote: “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold…”?
➤ Answer: What is the theme of innocence and hope?
✅ Justification: Johnny wants Ponyboy to keep seeing beauty in life and not become hardened by the violence around him
“You still have a lot of time to make yourself be what you want.” What theme does this connect to?
➤ Answer: What is growth or identity?
✅ Justification: This quote encourages change and hope, tying into Ponyboy’s personal journey and self-discovery.
How does Johnny get injured?
➤ Answer: What is a burning beam falls on him during the church fire?
✅ Justification: Johnny is badly burned and injured, showing the physical consequences of his brave choice.