CATEGORY 1: Heroism & Action (How Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally reveal their values through their actions)
Q: What do Ponyboy and Johnny do when they realize the church is on fire?
A: They rush in to save the trapped children.
Q: What does Dally mean when he says, “You get hardened in jail”?
A: He means jail changes you — it makes you cold and less trusting of others.
Q: What happens to Johnny during the fire?
A: A burning beam falls on him, seriously injuring his back and leaving him unconscious.
Q: Why do the Curtis brothers keep their door unlocked?
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A: So their friends always have a safe place to go — showing loyalty and community
Q: Why is Randy surprised that Ponyboy and Johnny saved the children?
A: Because it doesn’t fit his view of “greasers” as bad or violent.
Q: What does Dally do when he realizes Johnny is trapped inside the burning church?
A: He runs in after him.
Q: Why does Dally get angry when Johnny says he wants to turn himself in?
A: He’s afraid Johnny will lose his innocence and become bitter like him.
Q: Why does Ponyboy say things will “never be like they used to be”?
A: Because the fire and its aftermath permanently change the boys’ lives and how others see them.
Q: Why didn’t Darry go to college?
A: He gave up his scholarship to work and take care of his brothers after their parents died.
Q: What does Randy mean when he says, “You’ll still be where you were before — at the bottom”?
A: That even after the fire, society still judges Ponyboy for being poor.
Q: How does the boys’ reaction to the fire change how others see them?
A: They’re suddenly seen as heroes instead of criminals — challenging stereotypes about greasers.
Q: How does Dally act differently during the fire than he does in other chapters?
A: He shows bravery and compassion, revealing that he deeply cares about Johnny and Ponyboy.
Q: How do Ponyboy’s feelings about his brothers change by the end of Chapter 6?
A: He realizes Darry loves him deeply and that he’s lucky to have a family who cares.
Q: How does each brother like their eggs?
Pony: hard
Darry: bacon-and-tomato sandwich
Soda: with grape jelly
Q: What does Randy’s conversation with Ponyboy reveal about the Socs?
A: That not all Socs are cruel — some, like Randy, feel trapped and misunderstood too.
Q: Why do Ponyboy and Johnny’s actions at the church represent real heroism?
A: Because they put others’ lives above their own without hesitation or reward.
Q:How old was Dally when he first spent time in jail?
A: 10
Q: What lesson does Johnny learn about himself after the fire?
A: That he can make brave, moral choices — he’s more than just a frightened greaser.
Q: What is Johnny being charged with after the incident with Bob?
A: Manslaughter — for killing Bob during the fight at the park.
Q: How does Ponyboy’s talk with Randy help break down stereotypes between Greasers and Socs?
A: They realize they share similar struggles and emotions despite class differences.
Q: What do the boys’ choices during the fire reveal about how they’ve changed since the beginning of the book?
A: They’ve grown from scared, reactive kids into selfless young men who take responsibility.
Q: How do Dally’s actions in Chapters 6–7 reveal the emotional cost of his lifestyle?
A: His breakdown over Johnny shows he’s not heartless — he’s been emotionally scarred by loss and survival.
Q: What internal conflict does Ponyboy face at the end of Chapter 7? In other words, what is he struggling with?
A: He begins having nightmares again, showing he’s struggling with trauma and guilt.
Q: How does Darry’s lost opportunity affect the way he treats Ponyboy?
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A: He’s harder on Ponyboy because he wants him to have the chances he lost — showing tough love
Q: Connect Randy and Ponyboy’s conversation to a real-world example of breaking barriers.
A: Answers may vary (e.g., people from different backgrounds learning to understand each other or forming unexpected friendships).