The Outsiders

1. Using the table provided, find quotes / information from the first chapters of the novel to describe the Curtis brothers – Ponyboy, Sodapop and Darrel (Darry). Identify whether the information about their characters is implicit or explicit.

2. Using the table provided, find quotes / information from the first chapters of the novel to describe the other members of the (greaser) group – Steve Randle, Two-bit (Keith) Matthews, Dallas (Dally) Winston and Johnny Cade. Identify whether the characterisation is implicit or explicit.

3. (pg 25) “I lie to myself all the time, but I never believe me.” Discuss this quote in relation to Ponyboy’s relationship with his family.

4. (Pg 17) “…warfare is between the social classes.” Discuss this quote in relation to the roles that the ‘greasers’ and the ‘socs’ play in their society. E.g: what do you think are the main differences between the gangs?

5. Construct a vocabulary list from chapters 1 and 2, comparing the slang used by the characters in the novel and the language that you use. E.g: tuff = beast.

Bonus marks option: Create an A4 sized poster of one slang term taken from the novel, with appropriate illustrations either drawn, taken from the internet or cut out of magazines and newspapers.

6. (Chap 2) “Things are rough all over.” What does Cherry mean by this? Make a list of the sorts of problems that the greasers have and compare them to the problems that the socs might face. Who do you think is better off? Why?

7. Who would the ‘greasers’ and ‘socs’ be in our society? Why do you think these social problems exist? Do you think that our society is divided up in other ways, besides social (economic) status?

8. What did Cherry mean when she spoke about ‘watching the sunset” with Ponyboy after the drive-in?

9. (Chap 3, pg 54) Explain how the different members of the group deal with their lives and the stereotypes that have been placed on them.

10. Why have Ponyboy and Johnny travelled to Windrixville?

11. Why do you think Johnny chose to react the way he did in the park? (Chap 4) How does this relate to Ponyboy’s description of Johnny in Chapter 1?

12. Why did Cherry become a spy for the greasers?

13. Why do you think Johnny decided to turn himself in?

14. The novel is written from the perspective of Ponyboy. Imagine Dally or Johnny had to give the police a statement about the church from their point of view. How would they describe the events in their words? (You only need to choose one of the characters).

15. What does Darry’s reaction to the hospital prove to Ponyboy?

16. How did the church fire affect Johnny?

17. “Y’all were heroes from the beginning. You didn’t just turn all of a sudden.” What does Two-bit mean by this, in relation to Johnny and Ponyboy’s personalities?

18. “… Things were rough all over, but it was better that way. That way you could tell the other guy was human too.” (end chap 7) Discuss the meaning of the quote in relation to the events in the novel and what Ponyboy has learnt from the events.

19. How does Ponyboy resolve this conflict with Cherry? (end chap 8)

20. (Chap 9, pg146) What are the reasons that the different members of the group give for the reason that they fight?

21. What was the purpose of the ‘rumble’, and what was the outcome?

22. How did Dally deal with the death of Johnny? Why does it affect him this way?

23. Re-read Johnny’s final letter to Ponyboy (pg 189, chap 12). What did he mean when he told Ponyboy to “stay gold”?

24. Read the last three lines of the novel. Why are they same as the beginning of the novel?

25. “… only with individuals as vividly brought to life as Ponyboy and the rest if the gang could the point of the story stand out, this is an important argument about the environment and the young.” Why do you think the author tried to bring the characters ‘to life’? Do you think she was successful? Do you agree with the last statement of the quote? Why or why not?