1. Explain what Pony means when he says Soda "reminds me of a colt" on p. 101.
Soda reminds Pony of a colt because he is handsome and enjoys attention.
2. What condition is Johnny in after the fire?
Johnny is in a horrible condition because when they got to the hospital he is paralyzed from the waste down, has a broken back, and his one arm is burnt very badly.
3. Why would being crippled be worse for Johnny than someone else?
I would think that this is because Johnny has a worse home life than anyone else in the gang. The book says that he'd have to stay in that house he hated, where he wasn't wanted.
4. "Maybe people are younger when they are asleep" (p.104). what do you think about this comment?
This is an opinion made by Ponyboy after he sees Sodapop sleeping and thinks he looks younger than 17 years old. He had also noticed that Johnny looked younger when sleeping as well.
5. What is a juvenile delinquent (p. 107)? Find a definition on the internet, in a dictionary, or create your own based on your own knowledge.
Definition:conduct by a juvenilecharacterized by antisocial behavior that is beyond parental control and therefore subject to legal action. 2 : a violation of the law committed by a juvenile and not punishable by death or life imprisonment.
6. Why would Two-Bit think Johnny, Dally, and Pony were heroes all along; before they saved the kids?
He thinks they are hero's because all the Greasers have bad home lives and Pony, Dally, and Soda allow the Greasers to stay or just come in there house whenever to stay. For example if Two-Bit got in a bad argument with his family he could stay at Pony's for the night.
7. What was Bob's 'real' problem, according to Randy (p.116)?
Bobs real problem was that his parents didn't stop him from doing anything, didn't restrain him and didn't get mad at him ,and he hated it .So he got drunk and went looking for a fight,in hope they pay attention to him.
8. Why did Pony think it was better to see socs as "just guys" on p. 118? What do you think he means by this?
As the book goes on Ponyboy starts to see the soc's as human beings not just as gang members. He realizes that no matter where you come from as teenagers you are all faced with the same issues.
Chapter 8:
1. How does what the doctor first says, on page 119, foreshadow Johnny's condition?
On page 119 of The Outsiders, Ponyboy and Two-Bit are in the hospital to see Johnny. However, the nurses won’t let them see him because he is in critical condition. Soon, the doctor finds out what is going on and tells the nurse to let the boys. This foreshadows that for Johnny has little hope of surviving. The damage done to him is critical and Johnny will most likely die. Therefore, the doctor is allowing the boys to say their goodbyes to Johnny before he dies.
2. "We needed Johnny as much as he needed the gang. And for the same reason" (p.121). What do you think Pony means, and what is the reason?
All the gang members have bad home lives so the gang is the only thing they have. The gang is like a family to all the greasers. Johnny probably has the worst home life so the gang keeps him going. The reason is that Johnny needs gang to stay alive or be happy and keep wanting to live.
3. What does Pony mean on p. 123 when he says, "we could get along without anyone but Johnny"?
Johnny was the personality that united the boys more than anyone, probably, because he needed protecting. Even Dally wouldn't say or do anything to hurt Johnny. 4. If Darry didn't have Soda and Pony, why would he be a soc?
I think he would be consirded a Soc because he is smart and is really sporty. Also he doesnt get involved in fights very often.
5. What does Cherry mean when she says Bob "wasn't just anyone" on p.129?
She felt he had great qualities except when he was drinking. She knows Bob beat Johnny literally to death, but she did not want to look at the person that killed Bob.
Chapter 9:
1. On the bottom of p.133, when Pony asks what kind of a world it is, what comment is he making about how society judges people?
The comment that Ponyboy is making about how society judges people is that he wants everything to be how it used to be. When everyone used to get along together and there were no big rumbles or fights between separate gangs.
2. Why do the boys fight? Why is Pony different?
The boys in the Greasers gang fight to show the Socs that they are as good or even better then them. Even though they are poor and the Socs are rich they are saying that they are just as equal to them. Pony is different because he is only 14, is smaller than everyone in the rumbles and also he has gone through alot more than everyone else there.
3. What is the difference between Tim Sheppard's gang and Ponyboy's? Explain how Pony feels this difference might give his group the upper hand?
The difference between the gang isn't so much being rich or not its that the Socs have a leader and the Greasers don't. Pony says they have a upper hand because if the leader is knocked out the rest of the gang might flee or run away because of this.
4. What do you think Johnny's last words to Pony mean?
When he says "Stay gold ponyboy" I think it means to stay good. When Johnny says stay gold (Stay good) it means to keep doing what he is doing.