Characters & Characterization
Is sensitive, intelligent, and loves literature and movies.
Who is Ponyboy Curtis?
Strictness initially makes Pony feel unloved, but Pony comes to see this character's sacrifices and deep care.
Who is Darrel Curtis?
This symbol represents protection, violence, and power for the greasers. (HINT: Dally uses it to escape the hospital)
What is a switchblade?
Greaser slang for “cool” or fashionable.
What is Tuff?
This character is aggressive, entitled, struggles with inner conflicts like alcholism, seeks discipline and validation through violence.
Who is Bob Sheldon?
Acts as a father figure to his brothers. He is characterized as responsible, protective, and strict.
Who is Darrel (Darry) Curtis?
Despite Dally’s criminal record, this character admires his courage and loyalty; considers Dally gallant.
Who is Johnny Cade?
This symbol represents money and power for the Socs. This symbol sparks extreme fear in Johnny. (HINT: Bob is known for wearing these)
What are rings?
Word for physical strength or resilience.
What is tough?
When trying to write his paper for English, Ponyboy says, "I tried writing about Soda’s horse, Mickey Mouse, but I couldn't get it right;...Then I drew horses all over [my paper]. That was going to get a good grade like all get out.”
_______ is the type of irony used here.
What is verbal irony?
Hardened by life, reckless, has a soft side hidden beneath a rough exterior.
Who is Dallas Winston?
The central conflict and turning point in the story.
What is, when Johnny kills Bob in self-defense?
This symbol represents the similarities between Pony and Cherry, and between Socs and greasers.
What are sunsets?
A. A feeling that a word invokes.
B. (+100) Literal meaning of a word
A. What is connotation?
B. (+100) What is denotation?
Explain the meaning of the poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay".
The poem reflects the fleeting nature of youth, innocence, and beauty.
Quiet, nervous, deeply scarred by past abuse, sensitive, and courageous when it matters most.
Describe the conflict between the Socs and the greasers.
The conflict stems from class divisions, stereotypes, and a lack of understanding.
A critical part of greasers identity and pride.
The word Ponyboy uses to describe the relationship the Socs have with each other. (HINT: This contrasts his use of the word gang)
What is a pack?
Explain the meaning of "Stay Gold".
Johnny’s words remind Pony to remain hopeful, kind, and uncorrupted by the harsh realities of life, preserving the “golden”, or positive, qualities of his character.
Shows Pony that Socs and greasers aren’t entirely different.
Who is Cherry Valence?
Unlike his relationships with others, which are often abrasive, this character shows a rare tenderness and vulnerability around Johnny.
Who is Dally Winston?
This symbol highlights the fact that Pony and Johnny's quickly diminishing youth. A coping mechanism for stress.
What is smoking?
Explain why is the word "Soc" capitalized, while the word "greaser" is not.
The capitalization of Socs highlights their societal dominance, privilege, and power, while the lowercase "g" for greasers reflects their lower class status and position in the hierarchy of their community.
Ponyboy says, “A Soc, even, worried because some kid greaser was on his way to a foster home or something. That was really funny. I don’t mean funny. You know what I mean. ” (165)
_______ is the type of irony shown here.
What is situational irony?