The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Comprehension Questions: Chapters 5-8
CHAPTER 5:
1. Do you think hiding out was the best thing for Johnny and Ponyboy to do? Why or why not?
- I thought it was the best thing to hide because they were wanted by both the police and Socs, so both of them could get hurt or possibly die because of what they did. They can't turn themselves in because then Johnny would definitely get hurt.
2. What did Johnny admire about Dally?
- Johnny admires Dally's cursing.
3. Why did the boys cut their hair? Does the length of hair mean much to the boys? Is it important to you? To adults you know?
- They cut their hair as a disguise so they won't be found out. The length of their hair identifies them as greasers because they have long hair. I think it is important because having a messy haircut or a clean haircut could add to a first impression, like how they identify someone in the story with long hair as a greaser.
4. Based on the supplies Johnny collected, what can you conclude about Johnny?
- Johnny is resourceful, and thoughtful and remembering that Ponyboy wanted the specific book, as well as how well he got all the resources could make you assume he has done this or planned to do this.
5. Do you think crying helped the boys or made them weaker? Why?
- I thought that the crying helped the boys because they would let out any tension and let them calm down.
6. What do you think the poem by Robert Frost on page 77 means? What do you think Frost is describing? Why do you think Ponyboy remembered this poem?
- The poem by Robert Frost talks about how everything changes, and nothing stays the same forever. Ponyboy remembers this poem because it was the poem he didn't understand the meaning to.
7. What is another word for “heater”?
- Another word for heat was gun.
8. Do you think Ponyboy and Johnny will ever be able to go home again? Why or why not?
- I think they will be able to go home again because they aren't old enough or mature enough to survive on their own for a long time.
9. How does Johnny write a note to Ponyboy?
- Johnny writes a note to Ponyboy by using dust and wrote on the floor.
10. What is the one thing the Greasers are proud of?
- Greasers are proud of their hair.
11. How do Johnny and Ponyboy pass the time?
- They play poker, read the book the Johnny bought from the store, and they smoke to pass the time.
12. Who comes to visit Johnny and Ponyboy?
- Dally comes to visit Johnny and Ponyboy.
13. Where do the police think Johnny and Ponyboy have gone?
- The Police think that Johnny and Ponyboy went to Texas to escape.
14. Who is spying on the Socs for the Greasers?
- Cherry Valance is spying on the Socs for the Greasers.
CHAPTER 6:
1. Why do you think Cherry chose to associate with – and later help – Johnny and Ponyboy? Is she a spy?
-She felt that it was her fault that the accident happened and the murder happened. She is now a spy for the Greasers.
2. Why do you think Johnny decided they should turn themselves in?
- Johnny probably decided to turn themselves in because they are young, they might be let off easily, and because he and Ponyboy are homesick and miss their families.
3. What did Ponyboy learn about Dally?
- Ponyboy learns about Dally that he doesn't care about his family, but Dally can care about people, like when he sympathized with Johnny, and learns why Dally has gray eyes and is auspicious.
4. Would you say Ponyboy and Johnny are heroes? Why or why not?
- Ponyboy and Johnny are heroes because they saved the children with no regard to their own lives, even though they might have started the fire.
5. Why wouldn’t Dally go into the church for the kids, but he did go in for Johnny?
- Dally went into the church for Johnny because he doesn't know the kids and has no obligation for them, but he knows and cares about Johnny as a little brother, so he wants to make sure Johnny is safe too.
6. When they are at Dairy Queen, what does Johnny tell Dally he is going to do?
- When they are at Dairy Queen, Johnny tells Dally that he is going to turn himself in.
7. How have Johnny’s parents reacted to his running away?
- Johnny's parents haven't reacted or done anything to find him. This affirms that they don't care about him.
8. What do the boys see when they reach the top of Jay Mountain?
- They see a church on fire, and when they ask about more information from a man, they realize that there are children stuck inside the church.
9. When is the only time Ponyboy can remember seeing Johnny without a defeated, suspicious look in his eyes?
- Johnny has that suspicious look in his eyes when he was saving the children inside the church.
10. How does Dally get burned?
- Dally tries to save Johnny by pulling him outside from the window, and gets burned while doing so.
11. How does Johnny get hurt?
- Johnny was hurt inside the church, when a burning beam scraped against his back and knocked him unconscious.
12. What does Darry do when he sees Ponyboy in the hospital?
- When Darry sees Ponyboy, he doesn't say anything, but just starts crying.
13. At the hospital Ponyboy realizes that Darry really cares for him. Why has Darry been so hard on Ponyboy in the past?
- Darry has been hard on Ponyboy because he wants him to have a better life than Darry and Soda have, he doesn't want to lose anyone again, he expects more from Ponyboy so he can be the best that he can be.
CHAPTER 7:
1. How were the boys injured? Why could they be considered heroes?
- Johnny's burns are so severe that he might not survive, while Ponyboy only has a few bumps and bruises on him, so he's fine. They could be considered heroes because they saved the children from the burning church.
2. What additional problems did the brother face after Ponyboy’s return?
- The problems are that Johnny might die and the brothers might be separated and be put in a boys home.
3. What did Randy say kids want from parents? Do you agree or would you add some other points?
- Randy says that kids want the parents to say "No" to them and reprimand them. A parent would say "no" because they are looking out for you and and caring for you, so I agree.
4. Why are Ponyboy and Johnny scared of the police?
- Ponyboy and Johnny are scared of the police because they are wanted and are afraid that they might be separated or go to jail.
5. What do you think it would have been like for Johnny to return to his home in a wheelchair?
- Since his parents don't care about him and neglect him, if Johnny were to return home in a wheelchair, he would have been even more miserable than he was previously when he could walk.
6. What was it about Ponyboy that made others confide in him i.e., Cherry, Johnny, Randy?
- Ponyboy is understanding, open, a good listener, he doesn't have a bad reputation and he makes friends with everyone, which is why the people confine in him. He is known for being a good person, smart and a track star, that they are able to be open with him.
7. Why didn’t Randy want to fight in the rumble?
- Randy doesn't want to fight because it wouldn't help anyone or change anything if the fight occurred. A soc would still be a soc and a greaser would still be a greaser.
8. What do the doctors say about Dally’s injuries?
- The doctors say that Dally would be fine
9. What do the doctors say about Johnny’s injuries?
- Johnny's back is broken and that he might not be able to walk again, or he might not survive.
10. What one food does Ponyboy, Soda, and Darry all like for breakfast?
- They all like chocolate cake.
11. Why does Darry leave the front door unlocked?
- He leaves the front door unlocked because if anyone needs help or a place to sleep, they could stay there.
12. What charges were being brought against Johnny?
- The charges are for running away, resisting arrest, and manslaughter.
13. What will the court decide about Ponyboy?
- The court will decide if Ponyboy will go to a boys home, and if Ponyboy should be charged with running away.
14. Where did Soda’s girlfriend go?
- Soda's girlfriend is Sandy and she went to Florida with her grandmother because she has the two choices of either marrying Soda, or moving away, and her parents didn't want her to marry someone who was only 17, so they move her to Florida.
15. Why does Randy say the rumble between the Socs and the Greasers won’t solve anything?
- Randy says the rumble won't solve anything because even if the rumble happens, everyone is still going to be going through rough times.
CHAPTER 8:
1. Why did Ponyboy and Two-bit think they couldn’t get along without Johnny?
- Ponyboy and Two-bit thinks they couldn't get along without Johnny because he's the gang's pet. The gang looks out for him and takes care of him, and they wouldn't be able to get along without Johnny being there.
2. How did Johnny feel about dying?
- Johnny used to talk about dying and killing himself, but he realizes that he isn't ready to die. He wants to experience new things and see the world.
3. What did Johnny want the boys to get for him in the hospital? Why were these things important?
- Johnny wanted the boys to get the "Gone with the Wind" book and hair grease because he liked when Ponyboy read to him, and the hair grease was the thing that identified him as a greaser.
4. How close to the truth was Johnny when he said he didn’t want to see his mother?
- Johnny is afraid his mother is going to see him just to stir up trouble, so its true that he doesn't want to see her.
5. What was the significance of Ponyboy asking Cherry, “can you see the sunset real good from the West Side”?
- The significance of the sunset quote was that Ponyboy just wanted to point out that everyone is having troubles, despite being who they are, like when Cherry was grieving over Bob, Ponyboy was grieving over Johnny.
6. What two things does Johnny tell Two-Bit he wants him to bring?
- Johnny tells Two-bit to get "Gone with the Wind," and hair grease .
7. Who comes to visit Johnny besides Ponyboy and Two-Bit?
- Dally also visit Johnny at the hospital.
8. What does Two-Bit give to Dally?
- Two-Bit gives Dally his precious switchblade.
9. What does Two-Bit say keeps Darry from being a Soc?
- Two-bit says that the gang keeps Darry from being a Soc, but it's more that Ponyboy and Soda that keeps Darry from being a Soc.
10. Why does Cherry say she can’t visit Johnny?
- Cherry says that she can't look at the person who killed Bob.
1. Do you think hiding out was the best thing for Johnny and Ponyboy to do? Why or why not?
- I thought it was the best thing to hide because they were wanted by both the police and Socs, so both of them could get hurt or possibly die because of what they did. They can't turn themselves in because then Johnny would definitely get hurt.
2. What did Johnny admire about Dally?
- Johnny admires Dally's cursing.
3. Why did the boys cut their hair? Does the length of hair mean much to the boys? Is it important to you? To adults you know?
- They cut their hair as a disguise so they won't be found out. The length of their hair identifies them as greasers because they have long hair. I think it is important because having a messy haircut or a clean haircut could add to a first impression, like how they identify someone in the story with long hair as a greaser.
4. Based on the supplies Johnny collected, what can you conclude about Johnny?
- Johnny is resourceful, and thoughtful and remembering that Ponyboy wanted the specific book, as well as how well he got all the resources could make you assume he has done this or planned to do this.
5. Do you think crying helped the boys or made them weaker? Why?
- I thought that the crying helped the boys because they would let out any tension and let them calm down.
6. What do you think the poem by Robert Frost on page 77 means? What do you think Frost is describing? Why do you think Ponyboy remembered this poem?
- The poem by Robert Frost talks about how everything changes, and nothing stays the same forever. Ponyboy remembers this poem because it was the poem he didn't understand the meaning to.
7. What is another word for “heater”?
- Another word for heat was gun.
8. Do you think Ponyboy and Johnny will ever be able to go home again? Why or why not?
- I think they will be able to go home again because they aren't old enough or mature enough to survive on their own for a long time.
9. How does Johnny write a note to Ponyboy?
- Johnny writes a note to Ponyboy by using dust and wrote on the floor.
10. What is the one thing the Greasers are proud of?
- Greasers are proud of their hair.
11. How do Johnny and Ponyboy pass the time?
- They play poker, read the book the Johnny bought from the store, and they smoke to pass the time.
12. Who comes to visit Johnny and Ponyboy?
- Dally comes to visit Johnny and Ponyboy.
13. Where do the police think Johnny and Ponyboy have gone?
- The Police think that Johnny and Ponyboy went to Texas to escape.
14. Who is spying on the Socs for the Greasers?
- Cherry Valance is spying on the Socs for the Greasers.
CHAPTER 6:
1. Why do you think Cherry chose to associate with – and later help – Johnny and Ponyboy? Is she a spy?
-She felt that it was her fault that the accident happened and the murder happened. She is now a spy for the Greasers.
2. Why do you think Johnny decided they should turn themselves in?
- Johnny probably decided to turn themselves in because they are young, they might be let off easily, and because he and Ponyboy are homesick and miss their families.
3. What did Ponyboy learn about Dally?
- Ponyboy learns about Dally that he doesn't care about his family, but Dally can care about people, like when he sympathized with Johnny, and learns why Dally has gray eyes and is auspicious.
4. Would you say Ponyboy and Johnny are heroes? Why or why not?
- Ponyboy and Johnny are heroes because they saved the children with no regard to their own lives, even though they might have started the fire.
5. Why wouldn’t Dally go into the church for the kids, but he did go in for Johnny?
- Dally went into the church for Johnny because he doesn't know the kids and has no obligation for them, but he knows and cares about Johnny as a little brother, so he wants to make sure Johnny is safe too.
6. When they are at Dairy Queen, what does Johnny tell Dally he is going to do?
- When they are at Dairy Queen, Johnny tells Dally that he is going to turn himself in.
7. How have Johnny’s parents reacted to his running away?
- Johnny's parents haven't reacted or done anything to find him. This affirms that they don't care about him.
8. What do the boys see when they reach the top of Jay Mountain?
- They see a church on fire, and when they ask about more information from a man, they realize that there are children stuck inside the church.
9. When is the only time Ponyboy can remember seeing Johnny without a defeated, suspicious look in his eyes?
- Johnny has that suspicious look in his eyes when he was saving the children inside the church.
10. How does Dally get burned?
- Dally tries to save Johnny by pulling him outside from the window, and gets burned while doing so.
11. How does Johnny get hurt?
- Johnny was hurt inside the church, when a burning beam scraped against his back and knocked him unconscious.
12. What does Darry do when he sees Ponyboy in the hospital?
- When Darry sees Ponyboy, he doesn't say anything, but just starts crying.
13. At the hospital Ponyboy realizes that Darry really cares for him. Why has Darry been so hard on Ponyboy in the past?
- Darry has been hard on Ponyboy because he wants him to have a better life than Darry and Soda have, he doesn't want to lose anyone again, he expects more from Ponyboy so he can be the best that he can be.
CHAPTER 7:
1. How were the boys injured? Why could they be considered heroes?
- Johnny's burns are so severe that he might not survive, while Ponyboy only has a few bumps and bruises on him, so he's fine. They could be considered heroes because they saved the children from the burning church.
2. What additional problems did the brother face after Ponyboy’s return?
- The problems are that Johnny might die and the brothers might be separated and be put in a boys home.
3. What did Randy say kids want from parents? Do you agree or would you add some other points?
- Randy says that kids want the parents to say "No" to them and reprimand them. A parent would say "no" because they are looking out for you and and caring for you, so I agree.
4. Why are Ponyboy and Johnny scared of the police?
- Ponyboy and Johnny are scared of the police because they are wanted and are afraid that they might be separated or go to jail.
5. What do you think it would have been like for Johnny to return to his home in a wheelchair?
- Since his parents don't care about him and neglect him, if Johnny were to return home in a wheelchair, he would have been even more miserable than he was previously when he could walk.
6. What was it about Ponyboy that made others confide in him i.e., Cherry, Johnny, Randy?
- Ponyboy is understanding, open, a good listener, he doesn't have a bad reputation and he makes friends with everyone, which is why the people confine in him. He is known for being a good person, smart and a track star, that they are able to be open with him.
7. Why didn’t Randy want to fight in the rumble?
- Randy doesn't want to fight because it wouldn't help anyone or change anything if the fight occurred. A soc would still be a soc and a greaser would still be a greaser.
8. What do the doctors say about Dally’s injuries?
- The doctors say that Dally would be fine
9. What do the doctors say about Johnny’s injuries?
- Johnny's back is broken and that he might not be able to walk again, or he might not survive.
10. What one food does Ponyboy, Soda, and Darry all like for breakfast?
- They all like chocolate cake.
11. Why does Darry leave the front door unlocked?
- He leaves the front door unlocked because if anyone needs help or a place to sleep, they could stay there.
12. What charges were being brought against Johnny?
- The charges are for running away, resisting arrest, and manslaughter.
13. What will the court decide about Ponyboy?
- The court will decide if Ponyboy will go to a boys home, and if Ponyboy should be charged with running away.
14. Where did Soda’s girlfriend go?
- Soda's girlfriend is Sandy and she went to Florida with her grandmother because she has the two choices of either marrying Soda, or moving away, and her parents didn't want her to marry someone who was only 17, so they move her to Florida.
15. Why does Randy say the rumble between the Socs and the Greasers won’t solve anything?
- Randy says the rumble won't solve anything because even if the rumble happens, everyone is still going to be going through rough times.
CHAPTER 8:
1. Why did Ponyboy and Two-bit think they couldn’t get along without Johnny?
- Ponyboy and Two-bit thinks they couldn't get along without Johnny because he's the gang's pet. The gang looks out for him and takes care of him, and they wouldn't be able to get along without Johnny being there.
2. How did Johnny feel about dying?
- Johnny used to talk about dying and killing himself, but he realizes that he isn't ready to die. He wants to experience new things and see the world.
3. What did Johnny want the boys to get for him in the hospital? Why were these things important?
- Johnny wanted the boys to get the "Gone with the Wind" book and hair grease because he liked when Ponyboy read to him, and the hair grease was the thing that identified him as a greaser.
4. How close to the truth was Johnny when he said he didn’t want to see his mother?
- Johnny is afraid his mother is going to see him just to stir up trouble, so its true that he doesn't want to see her.
5. What was the significance of Ponyboy asking Cherry, “can you see the sunset real good from the West Side”?
- The significance of the sunset quote was that Ponyboy just wanted to point out that everyone is having troubles, despite being who they are, like when Cherry was grieving over Bob, Ponyboy was grieving over Johnny.
6. What two things does Johnny tell Two-Bit he wants him to bring?
- Johnny tells Two-bit to get "Gone with the Wind," and hair grease .
7. Who comes to visit Johnny besides Ponyboy and Two-Bit?
- Dally also visit Johnny at the hospital.
8. What does Two-Bit give to Dally?
- Two-Bit gives Dally his precious switchblade.
9. What does Two-Bit say keeps Darry from being a Soc?
- Two-bit says that the gang keeps Darry from being a Soc, but it's more that Ponyboy and Soda that keeps Darry from being a Soc.
10. Why does Cherry say she can’t visit Johnny?
- Cherry says that she can't look at the person who killed Bob.