The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Comprehension Questions: Chapters 9-12
CHAPTER 9:
1. What were the reasons that the various boy gave for fighting?
2. Why did Dally take Ponyboy to see Johnny after the rumble?
He took him because Johnny was dying. He took him so he could see him and so that they could tell Johnny that they won.
3. What did Johnny mean when he told Ponyboy to “stay gold”?
He told him to be better then what he is.
4. Think about yourself. Do you ever label someone as a hood, a scum, a nerd, a dork, because of the way someone is dressed or groomed? Have you been guilty of believing a stereotype and then found out later that the person just didn’t fit that perception? What does that tell you about first impressions?
No, I don't label someone by that. Yes I have been in the situation of believing a stereotype and then finding out that the person is not what the other person described. This tells me that people are rude and that people will judge you by the way you look. Not by who you are but by how you present yourself.
5. Do you agree or disagree with Ponyboy when he said that people usually go by looks so hoods will always be the bad guys and the clean shaven, neatly dressed kids will always be considered the good guys? Why?
Yes I do, because when you see someone like that you would assume that they aren't doing anything bad and that they are just people who are minding their own business. You wouldn't think that they would be up to no good.
6. Who are the good guys and bad guys in The Outsiders? Explain.
The good guys are the gresaures and the bad guys are the Socs. The gresaures aren't really looking for trouble and they are just fights for Johnny. They aren't fighting because they are bad people until the Socs who are fighting because they want to get their revenge. Also Socs are always looking for trouble.
7. What are the two things Greasers have to be proud of?
One this to be proud of is their hair. They are proud of their hair and how it is greasy. They are also proud of winning.
8. Who is the only Greaser who doesn’t like fights?
Johnny doesn't really like fights. He doesn't understand them and he thinks that it is just a waste of time.
9. Why is Tim Shepard’s kid brother, Curly, not going to be at the rumble?
He isn't at the rumble because he was in the hospital. He was breaking into a place and got hurt from the glass.
10. Why does Ponyboy feel he and his gang don’t belong with Tim Sheperd’s gang and the Brumley boys?
He says that they are nothing like them. They don't belong their.
11. What are the rules for the rumble?
The rules are that you can't use any weapons.
12. Who joins the rumble at the last minute?
Dally, he comes from the hospital with his arm hurt and helps them.
13. How did Dally get out of the hospital?
He put out two-bites switch knife of the nurse and told her that he was going to get out or something would happen to her.
14. How does the fight end?
The fight ends with the Socs running away and getting into their cars.
15. Where do Ponyboy and Dally go after the rumble?
They go to the hospital to go see Johnny.
16. How do they get there so quickly?
Apolice officer pulls them over and Dally tells him that he's takin his friends to the hospital because she feel off his motorcycle. The officer puts the siren on and helps them get past everyone quickly.
17. What does Johnny tell Ponyboy to do?
Johnny tells Ponyboy to stay golden.
CHAPTER 10:
1. Do you think the rumble was worth the trouble?
No it caused a lot of trouble for everyone and people got hurt. In the end the Socs surrendered anyway.
2. Why did Dally want to die?
Johnny was all he cared about.
3. How do you think the other Greasers will end up?
To continue their friendship, but end the gang.
4. Why was Ponyboy concerned with whether or not he had asked for Darry while he was unconscious?
He wants to fix his relationship with Darry and wants to show him he actually cares about him too.
5. How does Ponyboy get home from the hospital?
Dally gave him a ride home.
6. Why is Dally so upset about Johnny’s death?
Johnny was all he cared about.
7. Who phones Darry, and what does he want?
Dally calls him from a telephone booth and he wanted them to cover him.
8. What did Johnny leave for Ponyboy?
His copy of "Gone With The Wind" and leaves him a letter.
9. Why wouldn’t Ponyboy eat anything when he was sick?
He kept repeating that he didn't like balony and he might dillusional.
10. Why is Ponyboy worried about whether or not he called for Darry when he was sick?
He wants to show he actually cares for Darry and he doesn't want to leave Darry out.
CHAPTER 11:
1. Why do you think Ponyboy was ill?
During the rumble, he was kicked in the head and now he has a concussion.
2. Why did Randy come to visit Ponyboy when he was ill? Why did Ponyboy not care that Randy was seeing his house in a messy condition?
Randy came to visit Ponyboy because he wanted to send a message that he was going to tell everything in court in truth, and he wanted Ponyboy to tell the truth about everything as well.
3. Why do you think Ponyboy said he’d killed Bob and that Johnny wasn’t dead? (p.g. 165-166)
Ponyboy said that he'd kill Bob and Johnny wasn't dead because he wanted Johnny to be known as a hero, not a murderer, and he's also in denial and wants to believe Johnny is okay.
4. Why was Ponyboy concerned about his friends seeing his house but not about Randy seeing his house?
Randy came to visit Ponyboy because he wanted to send a message that he was going to tell everything in court in truth, and he wanted Ponyboy to tell the truth about everything as well. He doesn't care if Randy sees his house messy because he knows Randy isn't judgmental. He doesn't know what his friends are thinking when they visit, so he cared more if his house was messy when his friends came to visit.
5. Why did Ponyboy say he’d killed Bob and that Johnny wasn’t dead?
Ponyboy said that he'd kill Bob and Johnny wasn't dead because he wanted Johnny to be known as a hero, not a murderer, and he's also in denial and wants to believe Johnny is okay.
CHAPTER 12:
1. Why was the court hearing important? What were possible decisions of the court?
The court hearing was important because the court would decide Ponyboy's life. He could have been sent to the electric chair, to the death row, to the Boy's home, or he could be left alone and let Darry take care of him.
2. Why do you think Ponyboy’s life was still troubled after the court hearing?
He felt emotionally stressed and couldn't focus on his life as much because he felt trauma and stress.
3. What message did Johnny leave in the book?
Johnny left Ponyboy an explanation to what he meant by saying "Stay gold" before he died, that he wasn't afraid to die anymore and that the children's lives were worth more, and that there's still a lot of good in the world and that there's still time to choose who you want to be.
4. What do you think the doctor told the judge before the hearing?
The doctor probably said to let Ponyboy off easy because Ponyboy has been through a lot and has been through some trauma and stress.
5. Why did Ponyboy’s life seem so different after the hearing?
His life seemed so different after the hearing because he was in emotional stress. His grades went down and he stopped eating, and he said he felt nothing.
6. Why did Soda think that being like Dally before he died was worse than being dead?
Soda thought that because he felt that not having anybody to love was worse than being dead.
7. What do you think Ponyboy will write about in his theme? Why? What will be the result of his having written about events of the past week? (Hint: Look at the first two sentences of the novel.)
I think Ponyboy will write about what he experienced the past week, about the murder and how Johnny and Dally died because he wanted to tell people about what happened, starting with his English teacher. The result might be that he could be relieved that he let everything out and let some stress out, so he could continue to focus on things again.
8. Why does Ponyboy think that his experiences as a Greaser are important for everyone to read about?
Ponyboy thinks that his experiences as a Greaser are important for everyone to read because he feels that it's good to read about the different experiences that people can have, like Ponyboy's experience so people can experience what he did. He wants to show that the greasers are just like everyone else, that they are people too.
9. What is one of the stereotypes in this novel? How is it INACCURATE?
That the Greasers are white trash and are at the bottom of the society and are dumb and worthless, which is inaccurate because Greasers aren't worthless, and Ponyboy is smart.
10. What is the theme of The Outsiders? There is definitely more than one right answer.
The theme of The Outsiders is that despite having different social classes, like the high Socs and the Greasers at the bottom, both types of people are still just people, and they both experiences problems of their own.
11. What is Darry’s motivation throughout the novel?
Darry's motivation throughout the novel
12. Why is the last sentence of the book unusual?
The last sentences of the book is unusual because the last sentence is the same as the first sentence in the book.
Comprehension Questions: Chapters 9-12
CHAPTER 9:
1. What were the reasons that the various boy gave for fighting?
2. Why did Dally take Ponyboy to see Johnny after the rumble?
He took him because Johnny was dying. He took him so he could see him and so that they could tell Johnny that they won.
3. What did Johnny mean when he told Ponyboy to “stay gold”?
He told him to be better then what he is.
4. Think about yourself. Do you ever label someone as a hood, a scum, a nerd, a dork, because of the way someone is dressed or groomed? Have you been guilty of believing a stereotype and then found out later that the person just didn’t fit that perception? What does that tell you about first impressions?
No, I don't label someone by that. Yes I have been in the situation of believing a stereotype and then finding out that the person is not what the other person described. This tells me that people are rude and that people will judge you by the way you look. Not by who you are but by how you present yourself.
5. Do you agree or disagree with Ponyboy when he said that people usually go by looks so hoods will always be the bad guys and the clean shaven, neatly dressed kids will always be considered the good guys? Why?
Yes I do, because when you see someone like that you would assume that they aren't doing anything bad and that they are just people who are minding their own business. You wouldn't think that they would be up to no good.
6. Who are the good guys and bad guys in The Outsiders? Explain.
The good guys are the gresaures and the bad guys are the Socs. The gresaures aren't really looking for trouble and they are just fights for Johnny. They aren't fighting because they are bad people until the Socs who are fighting because they want to get their revenge. Also Socs are always looking for trouble.
7. What are the two things Greasers have to be proud of?
One this to be proud of is their hair. They are proud of their hair and how it is greasy. They are also proud of winning.
8. Who is the only Greaser who doesn’t like fights?
Johnny doesn't really like fights. He doesn't understand them and he thinks that it is just a waste of time.
9. Why is Tim Shepard’s kid brother, Curly, not going to be at the rumble?
He isn't at the rumble because he was in the hospital. He was breaking into a place and got hurt from the glass.
10. Why does Ponyboy feel he and his gang don’t belong with Tim Sheperd’s gang and the Brumley boys?
He says that they are nothing like them. They don't belong their.
11. What are the rules for the rumble?
The rules are that you can't use any weapons.
12. Who joins the rumble at the last minute?
Dally, he comes from the hospital with his arm hurt and helps them.
13. How did Dally get out of the hospital?
He put out two-bites switch knife of the nurse and told her that he was going to get out or something would happen to her.
14. How does the fight end?
The fight ends with the Socs running away and getting into their cars.
15. Where do Ponyboy and Dally go after the rumble?
They go to the hospital to go see Johnny.
16. How do they get there so quickly?
Apolice officer pulls them over and Dally tells him that he's takin his friends to the hospital because she feel off his motorcycle. The officer puts the siren on and helps them get past everyone quickly.
17. What does Johnny tell Ponyboy to do?
Johnny tells Ponyboy to stay golden.
CHAPTER 10:
1. Do you think the rumble was worth the trouble?
No it caused a lot of trouble for everyone and people got hurt. In the end the Socs surrendered anyway.
2. Why did Dally want to die?
Johnny was all he cared about.
3. How do you think the other Greasers will end up?
To continue their friendship, but end the gang.
4. Why was Ponyboy concerned with whether or not he had asked for Darry while he was unconscious?
He wants to fix his relationship with Darry and wants to show him he actually cares about him too.
5. How does Ponyboy get home from the hospital?
Dally gave him a ride home.
6. Why is Dally so upset about Johnny’s death?
Johnny was all he cared about.
7. Who phones Darry, and what does he want?
Dally calls him from a telephone booth and he wanted them to cover him.
8. What did Johnny leave for Ponyboy?
His copy of "Gone With The Wind" and leaves him a letter.
9. Why wouldn’t Ponyboy eat anything when he was sick?
He kept repeating that he didn't like balony and he might dillusional.
10. Why is Ponyboy worried about whether or not he called for Darry when he was sick?
He wants to show he actually cares for Darry and he doesn't want to leave Darry out.
CHAPTER 11:
1. Why do you think Ponyboy was ill?
During the rumble, he was kicked in the head and now he has a concussion.
2. Why did Randy come to visit Ponyboy when he was ill? Why did Ponyboy not care that Randy was seeing his house in a messy condition?
Randy came to visit Ponyboy because he wanted to send a message that he was going to tell everything in court in truth, and he wanted Ponyboy to tell the truth about everything as well.
3. Why do you think Ponyboy said he’d killed Bob and that Johnny wasn’t dead? (p.g. 165-166)
Ponyboy said that he'd kill Bob and Johnny wasn't dead because he wanted Johnny to be known as a hero, not a murderer, and he's also in denial and wants to believe Johnny is okay.
4. Why was Ponyboy concerned about his friends seeing his house but not about Randy seeing his house?
Randy came to visit Ponyboy because he wanted to send a message that he was going to tell everything in court in truth, and he wanted Ponyboy to tell the truth about everything as well. He doesn't care if Randy sees his house messy because he knows Randy isn't judgmental. He doesn't know what his friends are thinking when they visit, so he cared more if his house was messy when his friends came to visit.
5. Why did Ponyboy say he’d killed Bob and that Johnny wasn’t dead?
Ponyboy said that he'd kill Bob and Johnny wasn't dead because he wanted Johnny to be known as a hero, not a murderer, and he's also in denial and wants to believe Johnny is okay.
CHAPTER 12:
1. Why was the court hearing important? What were possible decisions of the court?
The court hearing was important because the court would decide Ponyboy's life. He could have been sent to the electric chair, to the death row, to the Boy's home, or he could be left alone and let Darry take care of him.
2. Why do you think Ponyboy’s life was still troubled after the court hearing?
He felt emotionally stressed and couldn't focus on his life as much because he felt trauma and stress.
3. What message did Johnny leave in the book?
Johnny left Ponyboy an explanation to what he meant by saying "Stay gold" before he died, that he wasn't afraid to die anymore and that the children's lives were worth more, and that there's still a lot of good in the world and that there's still time to choose who you want to be.
4. What do you think the doctor told the judge before the hearing?
The doctor probably said to let Ponyboy off easy because Ponyboy has been through a lot and has been through some trauma and stress.
5. Why did Ponyboy’s life seem so different after the hearing?
His life seemed so different after the hearing because he was in emotional stress. His grades went down and he stopped eating, and he said he felt nothing.
6. Why did Soda think that being like Dally before he died was worse than being dead?
Soda thought that because he felt that not having anybody to love was worse than being dead.
7. What do you think Ponyboy will write about in his theme? Why? What will be the result of his having written about events of the past week? (Hint: Look at the first two sentences of the novel.)
I think Ponyboy will write about what he experienced the past week, about the murder and how Johnny and Dally died because he wanted to tell people about what happened, starting with his English teacher. The result might be that he could be relieved that he let everything out and let some stress out, so he could continue to focus on things again.
8. Why does Ponyboy think that his experiences as a Greaser are important for everyone to read about?
Ponyboy thinks that his experiences as a Greaser are important for everyone to read because he feels that it's good to read about the different experiences that people can have, like Ponyboy's experience so people can experience what he did. He wants to show that the greasers are just like everyone else, that they are people too.
9. What is one of the stereotypes in this novel? How is it INACCURATE?
That the Greasers are white trash and are at the bottom of the society and are dumb and worthless, which is inaccurate because Greasers aren't worthless, and Ponyboy is smart.
10. What is the theme of The Outsiders? There is definitely more than one right answer.
The theme of The Outsiders is that despite having different social classes, like the high Socs and the Greasers at the bottom, both types of people are still just people, and they both experiences problems of their own.
11. What is Darry’s motivation throughout the novel?
Darry's motivation throughout the novel
12. Why is the last sentence of the book unusual?
The last sentences of the book is unusual because the last sentence is the same as the first sentence in the book.