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?
The reasons were for proving themselves and seeking vengeance. They though of it like a contest and wanted a reputation.
2. Why did Dally take Ponyboy to see Johnny after the rumble?
Dally took Ponyboy to see Johnny to go visit him because he was dying.
3. What did Johnny mean when he told Ponyboy to “stay gold”?
Johnny meant that Ponyboy should stay out of trouble.
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?
I don't label people because of the way they are dressed or groomed because I could be wrong or later get in trouble for thinking a certain way. Believing in a stereotype and then later finding out that the person didn't fit that perception tells you that first impressions are important. It tells you that first impressions matter.
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?
I do not agree with Ponyboy because just because someone falls under a certain category in society, it doesn't mean that you're the same as everyone else. For example, although Ponyboy is a Greaser, he does not act like most of the. He is very smart and doesn't really fight with any of the other gangs, and he is polite and kindhearted.
6. Who are the good guys and bad guys in The Outsiders? Explain.
In The Outsiders, the good guys are the Greasers and two of the Socs which are Randy and Cherry Valance, and the bad guys are all the other Socs. The Greasers, unlike the Socs, don't go starting random fights and jumping people for no reason.
7. What are the two things Greasers have to be proud of?
Greasers have to be proud of their hair and their reputation.
8. Who is the only Greaser who doesn’t like fights?
The only Greaser that doesn't like fights is Johnny.
9. Why is Tim Shepard’s kid brother, Curly, not going to be at the rumble?
Curly was not going to be at the rumble because he was a reformation.
10. Why does Ponyboy feel he and his gang don’t belong with Tim Sheperd’s gang and the Brumley boys?
Ponyboy feels he and his gang don't belong with Tim Shepard's gang and the Brumley boys because he doesn't want his gang and himself to turn into criminals and murderers.
11. What are the rules for the rumble?
The rules for the rumble are to only use your fists and nothing else and if you run away, you lose.
12. Who joins the rumble at the last minute?
Dally joins the rumble at the last minute.
13. How did Dally get out of the hospital?
Dally got out of the hospital by threatening the nurse.
14. How does the fight end?
The Socs run away and the Greasers win.
15. Where do Ponyboy and Dally go after the rumble?
After the rumble, Ponyboy and Dally go to the hospital to visit Johnny.
16. How do they get there so quickly?
They take a car and gets a police escort.
17. What does Johnny tell Ponyboy to do?
Johnny tells Ponyboy to stay gold.
Chapter 10
1. Do you think the rumble was worth the trouble?
The rumble was not worth the trouble because it only caused more trouble and caused people to get hurt; it didn't solve anything.
2. Why did Dally want to die?
Dally wanted to die because he didn't care anymore, and Johnny was his only reason for living because he was like his little brother.
3. How do you think the other Greasers will end up?
Darry, Soda, and Ponyboy will all find another live together as well as the rest of the gang and maybe they'll stop fighting.
4. Why was Ponyboy concerned with whether or not he had asked for Darry while he was unconscious?
Ponyboy was concerned whether or not he had asked for Darry because he was showing emotion for Darry. He wanted to admit he needed Darry's help because he doesn't want to leave Darry out or be mean.
5. How does Ponyboy get home from the hospital?
Ponyboy is driven home by Dally that borrows Buck Marrow's car.
6. Why is Dally so upset about Johnny’s death?
Dally is upset about Johnny's death because Johnny is like his little brother and he is his reason for living and for staying in the gang.
7. Who phones Darry, and what does he want?
Dally calls Darry because he wants to tell him that he's running from the police and he needs back up.
8. What did Johnny leave for Ponyboy?
Johnny left the book, Gone With the Wind because it was a shared experience and it was memorable for the both of them.
9. Why wouldn’t Ponyboy eat anything when he was sick?
Ponyboy wouldn't eat anything when he was sick because everything to him looked and tasted like baloney, and he didn't like baloney.
10. Why is Ponyboy worried about whether or not he called for Darry when he was sick?
Ponyboy was worried about whether or not he had asked for Darry because he was showing emotion for Darry. He wanted to admit he needed Darry's help because he doesn't want to leave Darry out or be mean.
Chapter 11
1. Why do you think Ponyboy was ill?
Ponyboy was ill because he was kicked in the head during the rumble and got 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 when he was ill because they have a mutual understanding and can relate to each other, and he came to tell Ponyboy they're going to court and that he's telling the truth, so he wants Ponyboy to tell truth too.
3. Why do you think Ponyboy said he’d killed Bob and that Johnny wasn’t dead? (p.g. 165-166)
Ponyboy said he killed Bob because he is in denial and wants Johnny to die a hero not a killer.
4. Why was Ponyboy concerned about his friends seeing his house but not about Randy seeing his house?
Ponyboy was not concerned about letting Randy see his house because he is non judgmental, whereas he doesn't know what friends are thinking.
5. Why did Ponyboy say he’d killed Bob and that Johnny wasn’t dead?
Ponyboy said he killed Bob because he is in denial and wants Johnny to die a hero not a killer.
Chapter 12
1. Why was the court hearing important? What were possible decisions of the court?
The hearing was important because Ponyboy's life was being decided and the judge was deciding on if Ponyboy should be put in a boys' home or left with his brother and also if he should be charged with running form the police.
2. Why do you think Ponyboy’s life was still troubled after the court hearing?
Ponyboy's life was still troubled after the court hearing because he was still processing what had all happened in his life, like Johnny's death.
3. What message did Johnny leave in the book?
Johnny was explaining the poem by Jack Frost in "Gone With the Wind".
4. What do you think the doctor told the judge before the hearing?
The doctor probably told the judge about the boys' injuries and their behavior.
5. Why did Ponyboy’s life seem so different after the hearing?
Ponyboy's life seemed different because he started getting bad grades, he stopped eating, and he was just different.
6. Why did Soda think that being like Dally before he died was worse than being dead?
Soda thought this because Dally had no one to be loved by and had no support whatsoever.
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 him and the Greasers and all the things that they have gone through together.
8. Why does Ponyboy think that his experiences as a Greaser are important for everyone to read about?
Ponyboy thinks this because he wants to relate to other people and show how much he is like other people in the world.
9. What is one of the stereotypes in this novel? How is it INACCURATE?
One of the the stereotypes in this novel is that Greasers are white trash and this is inaccurate because Greasers are just like anyone else and they don't cause any trouble.
10. What is the theme of The Outsiders? There is definitely more than one right answer.
The theme of The Outsiders is that everyone is the same and everyone goes through hard times.
11. What is Darry’s motivation throughout the novel?
Darry's motivation throughout the novel was his brothers especially Ponyboy.
1. What were the reasons that the various boy gave for fighting?
The reasons were for proving themselves and seeking vengeance. They though of it like a contest and wanted a reputation.
2. Why did Dally take Ponyboy to see Johnny after the rumble?
Dally took Ponyboy to see Johnny to go visit him because he was dying.
3. What did Johnny mean when he told Ponyboy to “stay gold”?
Johnny meant that Ponyboy should stay out of trouble.
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?
I don't label people because of the way they are dressed or groomed because I could be wrong or later get in trouble for thinking a certain way. Believing in a stereotype and then later finding out that the person didn't fit that perception tells you that first impressions are important. It tells you that first impressions matter.
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?
I do not agree with Ponyboy because just because someone falls under a certain category in society, it doesn't mean that you're the same as everyone else. For example, although Ponyboy is a Greaser, he does not act like most of the. He is very smart and doesn't really fight with any of the other gangs, and he is polite and kindhearted.
6. Who are the good guys and bad guys in The Outsiders? Explain.
In The Outsiders, the good guys are the Greasers and two of the Socs which are Randy and Cherry Valance, and the bad guys are all the other Socs. The Greasers, unlike the Socs, don't go starting random fights and jumping people for no reason.
7. What are the two things Greasers have to be proud of?
Greasers have to be proud of their hair and their reputation.
8. Who is the only Greaser who doesn’t like fights?
The only Greaser that doesn't like fights is Johnny.
9. Why is Tim Shepard’s kid brother, Curly, not going to be at the rumble?
Curly was not going to be at the rumble because he was a reformation.
10. Why does Ponyboy feel he and his gang don’t belong with Tim Sheperd’s gang and the Brumley boys?
Ponyboy feels he and his gang don't belong with Tim Shepard's gang and the Brumley boys because he doesn't want his gang and himself to turn into criminals and murderers.
11. What are the rules for the rumble?
The rules for the rumble are to only use your fists and nothing else and if you run away, you lose.
12. Who joins the rumble at the last minute?
Dally joins the rumble at the last minute.
13. How did Dally get out of the hospital?
Dally got out of the hospital by threatening the nurse.
14. How does the fight end?
The Socs run away and the Greasers win.
15. Where do Ponyboy and Dally go after the rumble?
After the rumble, Ponyboy and Dally go to the hospital to visit Johnny.
16. How do they get there so quickly?
They take a car and gets a police escort.
17. What does Johnny tell Ponyboy to do?
Johnny tells Ponyboy to stay gold.
Chapter 10
1. Do you think the rumble was worth the trouble?
The rumble was not worth the trouble because it only caused more trouble and caused people to get hurt; it didn't solve anything.
2. Why did Dally want to die?
Dally wanted to die because he didn't care anymore, and Johnny was his only reason for living because he was like his little brother.
3. How do you think the other Greasers will end up?
Darry, Soda, and Ponyboy will all find another live together as well as the rest of the gang and maybe they'll stop fighting.
4. Why was Ponyboy concerned with whether or not he had asked for Darry while he was unconscious?
Ponyboy was concerned whether or not he had asked for Darry because he was showing emotion for Darry. He wanted to admit he needed Darry's help because he doesn't want to leave Darry out or be mean.
5. How does Ponyboy get home from the hospital?
Ponyboy is driven home by Dally that borrows Buck Marrow's car.
6. Why is Dally so upset about Johnny’s death?
Dally is upset about Johnny's death because Johnny is like his little brother and he is his reason for living and for staying in the gang.
7. Who phones Darry, and what does he want?
Dally calls Darry because he wants to tell him that he's running from the police and he needs back up.
8. What did Johnny leave for Ponyboy?
Johnny left the book, Gone With the Wind because it was a shared experience and it was memorable for the both of them.
9. Why wouldn’t Ponyboy eat anything when he was sick?
Ponyboy wouldn't eat anything when he was sick because everything to him looked and tasted like baloney, and he didn't like baloney.
10. Why is Ponyboy worried about whether or not he called for Darry when he was sick?
Ponyboy was worried about whether or not he had asked for Darry because he was showing emotion for Darry. He wanted to admit he needed Darry's help because he doesn't want to leave Darry out or be mean.
Chapter 11
1. Why do you think Ponyboy was ill?
Ponyboy was ill because he was kicked in the head during the rumble and got 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 when he was ill because they have a mutual understanding and can relate to each other, and he came to tell Ponyboy they're going to court and that he's telling the truth, so he wants Ponyboy to tell truth too.
3. Why do you think Ponyboy said he’d killed Bob and that Johnny wasn’t dead? (p.g. 165-166)
Ponyboy said he killed Bob because he is in denial and wants Johnny to die a hero not a killer.
4. Why was Ponyboy concerned about his friends seeing his house but not about Randy seeing his house?
Ponyboy was not concerned about letting Randy see his house because he is non judgmental, whereas he doesn't know what friends are thinking.
5. Why did Ponyboy say he’d killed Bob and that Johnny wasn’t dead?
Ponyboy said he killed Bob because he is in denial and wants Johnny to die a hero not a killer.
Chapter 12
1. Why was the court hearing important? What were possible decisions of the court?
The hearing was important because Ponyboy's life was being decided and the judge was deciding on if Ponyboy should be put in a boys' home or left with his brother and also if he should be charged with running form the police.
2. Why do you think Ponyboy’s life was still troubled after the court hearing?
Ponyboy's life was still troubled after the court hearing because he was still processing what had all happened in his life, like Johnny's death.
3. What message did Johnny leave in the book?
Johnny was explaining the poem by Jack Frost in "Gone With the Wind".
4. What do you think the doctor told the judge before the hearing?
The doctor probably told the judge about the boys' injuries and their behavior.
5. Why did Ponyboy’s life seem so different after the hearing?
Ponyboy's life seemed different because he started getting bad grades, he stopped eating, and he was just different.
6. Why did Soda think that being like Dally before he died was worse than being dead?
Soda thought this because Dally had no one to be loved by and had no support whatsoever.
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 him and the Greasers and all the things that they have gone through together.
8. Why does Ponyboy think that his experiences as a Greaser are important for everyone to read about?
Ponyboy thinks this because he wants to relate to other people and show how much he is like other people in the world.
9. What is one of the stereotypes in this novel? How is it INACCURATE?
One of the the stereotypes in this novel is that Greasers are white trash and this is inaccurate because Greasers are just like anyone else and they don't cause any trouble.
10. What is the theme of The Outsiders? There is definitely more than one right answer.
The theme of The Outsiders is that everyone is the same and everyone goes through hard times.
11. What is Darry’s motivation throughout the novel?
Darry's motivation throughout the novel was his brothers especially Ponyboy.