Characters
Who finds Ponyboy first as he is being jumped by the Socs?
His oldest brother. Darrel 'Darry' Curtis
"Grinning like a Chessy cat"
What tyoe of figurative language is this?
Simile
What do we learn about the Curtis's situation?
They are orphaned after their parents died in an auto accident. They have to stay out of trouble with the law if they want to stay together.
"Snarling Soc"
What type of figurative language is this?
Alliteration
Onomatopoeia
How does Ponyboy react to being followed when he leaves the theater?
He is scared because he remembers what happened to Johnny. He starts looking for a weapon to protect himself like a bottle maybe.
He is uncomfortable and embarrassed because not only does he not enjoy saying those things to bother girls, Cherry and Marcia are respectable Soc girls.
"I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home."
What type of figurative language is this?
Allusion
Why does Ponyboy like to go to the movies alone?
He appreciates movies and the acting, unlike the rest of his Greaser gang.
He likes to experience the film as the characters do.
Why does Dally talk innappropriately to Cherry and Marcia?
He thinks it's fun and he wants to provoke them.
Johnny is a victim of abuse, but he says he likes it better when his dad hits him. Why?
It's the only time his dad acknowledges him.
What does Cherry tell Ponyboy about the Socs?
That not all Socs are like the ones who hurt Johnny and that they have issues too.
What is the relationship like between Ponyboy, Sodapop, and Darry.
They are brothers who lost their parents in an auto accident. Ponyboy is the youngest, Sodapop is the middle child, and Darry is the oldest. Sodapop and Darry get along well. Ponyboy really admires his older brother Sodapop. Ponyboy and Darry do not get along. Darry is always on Ponyboy about everything he does.
Who is the narrator of The Outsiders?
Ponyboy Curtis
Johnny was looking for a football to practice his kicking when a blue Mustang of 4 Socs showed up. They started beating him severely. One Soc had rings on his hand which is why he was so beaten down. He now has a permanent scar. He sobbed although he never cried when his Dad beat him.
Explain the reference to watching the sunset. How is this symbolic of the relationship between Ponyboy and Cherry.
Even though they are from different parts of town and different social classes, Cherry and Ponyboy each watch the same sunset, showing that they have something in common and aren't all that different.
Explain the conflict between the Greasers and the Socs.
The Greasers are the lower class who live on the East side of town. They wear grease in their hair and are rough around the edges (they get in trouble with the law).
The Socs are the upper class rich kids who live on the West side of town. They live lavishly and look down on the greasers. They get into fights and hurt people just as much as the greasers do, but they get in far less trouble due to their monetary influence.