Easy Peasy
Who wrote The Outsiders?
S.E. Hinton
What does "You Dig?" mean?
You understand?
There are two main groups in the story: Greasers and Socs. What are characteristics of each group?
Greasers: Bad kids, "Hoods," Poor, Greasy Hair
Socs: Good kids, Rich, Never get in trouble
What do you think Johnny means when he says, “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold”?
He is telling Ponyboy to keep being himself.
How does the setting of the novel influence the way the characters speak? Think specifically about the slang that they use.
The characters use slang and terminology from the 1950's because that is when the story takes place.
Where does The Outsiders take place?
Tulsa, Oklahoma
What is a heater?
A gun
How does Cherry explain the differences between the Socs and the Greasers?
She says Socs don't feel anything and Greasers feel too much.
Jerry said that Pony, Johnny, and Dallas were “sent from heaven.” Ponyboy disagrees with this because “they are greasers.” Why does he not agree with Jerry’s opinion of the boys?
Johnny has a decision to make when he sees Ponyboy getting jumped in the park. What does Johnny decide to do and WHY?
Johnny decides to kill Bob in order to save Ponyboy's life and keep him from getting jumped again.
When does The Outsiders take place?
The 1950's
What is the fuzz?
The Police
Randy wants to leave town before the rumble because he feels it is pointless to fight. According to him, why won’t things change?
Greasers will always be Greasers, and Socs will always be Socs. A fight isn't going to change anything, no matter who wins.
When Pony asks what kind of world it is where all he has to be proud of is his hair, what is he saying about stereotypes?
He is wondering if society can see any of his qualities and characteristics other than being a Greaser.
At the end of the novel, Ponyboy finds a letter written for him and then decides on the topic for his English assignment. What is Ponyboy writing? How did Johnny’s letter inspire him to write this?
Ponyboy is writing about his experiences with Johnny and Dally and all that they went through with killing Bob. Johnny's letter inspires him to write this because he wants to show that there is more to them than being Greasers.
What is the name of Sodapop's horse?
Mickey Mouse
What is the cooler?
Jail
Why does Ponyboy pick up the glass after the Socs leave in chapter 12? What does this tell us about Ponyboy even after Johnny and Dally have died?
He doesn't want anyone to get cut on it. This shows that Ponyboy is still responsible and cares about others.
What does Ponyboy mean when he says, “I’d rather have anybody’s hate than their pity”?
He would rather people not like him than feel bad for him. He does not want people's sympathy because he is a "poor greaser."
How does the poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay” apply to life? How does it apply specifically to Ponyboy’s life?
Nothing that is special and valuable lasts forever, just like the when the sun comes up in the poem. This applies to Ponyboy's life because he understands that good things don't last forever (like his parents, Johnny, etc).
Name all 7 Greasers
Ponyboy, Johnny, Dally, Sodapop, Darry, Two-Bit, Steve
What is a JD?
Juvenile Delinquent
What does Ponyboy mean by, “We needed Johnny as much as he needed the gang. And for the same reason”?
The gang keeps Johnny going, and Johnny keeps the gang together.
Explain what Randy means when he says, “And it’s the first time I’ve felt anything in a long time."
Socs are "cool to the point of not feeling anything" according to Cherry. So now that Randy is seeing past being a Soc, he can finally feel something.
Describe how Johnny’s death changed Ponyboy’s thoughts, actions, and speech. What does Johnny's death make Ponyboy realize about himself?
At first, Johnny's death makes Ponyboy a little crazy. He keeps saying that he killed Bob and that Johnny isn't dead, even though he died right in front of him. Then Ponyboy gets mean and tough in order to try not to feel sad. But Ponyboy finally learns to accept Johnny's death and realize that he is so much more than just a Greaser, just like Johnny knew.