CHARACTERS
Who is the narrator of The Outsiders?
Ponyboy Curtis
What is the main conflict in the novel?
The social divide and rivalry between the Greasers and Socs.
What are the two social groups in the novel?
Greasers and Socs
What kind of conflict is shown between the Greasers and Socs?
External conflict – Man vs. Man (Social groups)
Character vs. Character = Man vs. Man
Who wrote The Outsiders?
S.E. Hinton
What do Johnny and Ponyboy eat while hiding in the church?
Bologna and bread
Which Curtis brother is strict and works two jobs?
Darry
What event kicks off the rising action?
Johnny kills Bob to save Ponyboy from drowning.
Why do Johnny and Ponyboy go into hiding?
Because Johnny killed a Soc, and they feared arrest.
What internal conflict does Ponyboy struggle with throughout the novel?
Trying to understand his identity and where he fits in.
What is the setting of The Outsiders?
Time AND Place (city / state)
Tulsa, Oklahoma
1960s
What type of figurative language is used in this line: “He had a nervous, suspicious look in his eyes, like a caged animal”?
Simile:
The phrase uses “like” to compare the character to a caged animal.
Why does Johnny carry a switchblade?
He was badly beaten by the Socs and wanted to protect himself.
What is the climax of the story?
The church fire where Johnny and Ponyboy save the children.
What book do Ponyboy and Johnny read in the church?
Gone with the Wind
What causes the Socs to jump Ponyboy in the beginning of the novel?
He is walking alone, and they enjoy targeting Greasers for fun.
Why did Hinton publish under her initials?
To avoid gender bias in a male-dominated literary world.
What does Ponyboy like to do that makes him different from other Greasers?
He likes to read books and watch movies.
How is Dally different from the other Greasers?
He’s more hardened, cynical, and has experience in crime and jail.
What is the resolution of the novel?
Ponyboy writes his story for a school assignment, beginning his healing.
What was Johnny’s last request to Ponyboy?
“Stay gold, Ponyboy.”
How does Darry struggle internally throughout the novel?
He tries to balance being a guardian with being a brother and feels torn between responsibility and affection.
What inspired Hinton to write The Outsiders?
Observing clashes between rival high school groups in her hometown.
What’s the name of the poem Ponyboy recites in the church?
Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost
What does Two-Bit’s character symbolize within the group?
He represents humor, loyalty, and trying to maintain normalcy amidst chaos. He's the jokester of the gang.
How does the point of view in The Outsiders influence the way readers understand the Greasers and the conflict with the Socs?
The story is told in first-person point of view by Ponyboy, a Greaser, which gives readers a personal, emotional, and often reflective perspective. This narration helps readers sympathize with the Greasers, see their humanity, and understand that the conflict with the Socs is more complex than just rich vs. poor. Ponyboy’s introspection adds depth to the themes of identity, belonging, and empathy.
What does Ponyboy realize about the Socs in the end?
That they have struggles too, and individuals can't be judged by their group.
How does Cherry Valance experience conflict between her social group and her personal beliefs?
As a Soc, she sympathizes with the Greasers but is pressured by her status and peers.
What impact did The Outsiders have on young adult literature?
It changed young adult fiction by focusing on real-life teen struggles with authenticity and depth.
Dally had sharp animal teeth” is an example of what?
It’s a metaphor showing how wild and dangerous Dally can be.