Comprehension Questions: Chapters 9-12
CHAPTER 9:
1. What were the reasons that the various boy gave for fighting?
- They fought for action, reputation, fun, hatred and vengeance, or for pride.
2. Why did Dally take Ponyboy to see Johnny after the rumble?
- Dally took Ponyboy to see Johnny because Johnny was dying in the hospital
3. What did Johnny mean when he told Ponyboy to “stay gold”?
- Johnny meant when he told Ponyboy to "stay gold" was to stay the way he was and realize that fighting was meaningless, which is why he said the fighting was useless before he died.
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've labeled people based on how they were dressed, but sometimes have been guilty of believing those stereotypes without getting to know the person, and later realizing that the perception was wrong. It tells the first impressions mean a lot and are important to how people see you, but they aren't always true because some people don't show fully who they are on a first impression.
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 agree when Ponyboy says that people usually go by looks, for example where hoods will be the bad guys and the neatly dressed will be good guys, because people can't help it. Since the media and society usually portrays the bad guys are usually the hoods, and the clean people are the good guys, people often relate it to reality.
6. Who are the good guys and bad guys in The Outsiders? Explain.
- In the Outsiders, I don't believe there actually is a bad guy or a good guy. If Ponyboy is the protagonist, and therefore considered the "good guy," there isn't an exact antagonist who goes against Ponyboy. If there were to be an antagonist, it would probably be society because Ponyboy wants to improve his life, but he's stuck because of how society thinks of him because he is a greaser.
7. What are the two things Greasers have to be proud of?
- The Greasers are proud of their reputation and their greasy hair.
8. Who is the only Greaser who doesn’t like fights?
- The only Greaser who doesn't like fights would be Johnny, as he says before he dies that fighting is useless.
9. Why is Tim Shepard’s kid brother, Curly, not going to be at the rumble?
- Curlly isn't going to be at the rumble because he was at the reformatory for being caught breaking in to a liquor store.
10. Why does Ponyboy feel he and his gang don’t belong with Tim Sheperd’s gang and the Brumley boys?
- Ponyboy feels that he and his gang doesn't belong to Tim's and Brumley's gang because he believed his gang wasn't as rough and weren't the type of people to become "future convicts" like Tim's gang and the Brumley boys.
11. What are the rules for the rumble?
- The rules of the rumble were no weapons, just fists, and the first to run loses.
12. Who joins the rumble at the last minute?
- Dally joins the rumble with one good arm in the last minute.
13. How did Dally get out of the hospital?
- Dally got out of the hospital by threatening the nurse with Two-Bit's switchblade.
14. How does the fight end?
- The fight ends when the Socs retreat and run from the rumble area.
15. Where do Ponyboy and Dally go after the rumble?
- Ponyboy and Dally, after the rumble, rush over to the hospital by car to see Johnny.
16. How do they get there so quickly?
- They get there by tricking a policeman that Ponyboy was majorly injured, and was escorted to the hospital quickly.
17. What does Johnny tell Ponyboy to do?
- Johnny tells Ponyboy to "Stay gold" before he dies in the hospital, "Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold..." (p. 130)
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. People died, were injured, and didn't solve anything.
2. Why did Dally want to die?
- Dally wanted to die because the only thing he loved in the world, which was Johnny, died. Johnny was the only reason for living for Dally.
3. How do you think the other Greasers will end up?
- The three brothers might try to get a better life and not be in a gang, while the others will just split up and find different lives.
4. Why was Ponyboy concerned with whether or not he had asked for Darry while he was unconscious?
- It was important to ask for Darry because Ponyboy doesn't want to leave Darry out and be mean to him. Ponyboy has trouble to express emotion and to show that he loves Darry, so he wants to make sure that he doesn't leave Darry out.
5. How does Ponyboy get home from the hospital?
-Ponyboy gets home from the hospital by being driven home by Dally.
6. Why is Dally so upset about Johnny’s death?
- Dally was so upset because Johnny was the only thing Dally cared about in the world and was like a little brother to him.
7. Who phones Darry, and what does he want?
- Dally phones Darry, and says that he is being chased by the cops and needs to find a place to hide.
8. What did Johnny leave for Ponyboy?
- The book "gone with the wind" that they bought while they were in the church.
9. Why wouldn’t Ponyboy eat anything when he was sick?
- Like when he kept saying that he didn't like baloney while he was sleeping, he was delusional about all the food and felt like everything would taste like balonie, so he didn't eat.
10. Why is Ponyboy worried about whether or not he called for Darry when he was sick?
- He wants to make sure that he didn't leave Darry out when he called out for his family because it was hard for him to express to Darry that Ponyboy loves hime because of their awkward relationship.
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. 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.
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.
1. What were the reasons that the various boy gave for fighting?
- They fought for action, reputation, fun, hatred and vengeance, or for pride.
2. Why did Dally take Ponyboy to see Johnny after the rumble?
- Dally took Ponyboy to see Johnny because Johnny was dying in the hospital
3. What did Johnny mean when he told Ponyboy to “stay gold”?
- Johnny meant when he told Ponyboy to "stay gold" was to stay the way he was and realize that fighting was meaningless, which is why he said the fighting was useless before he died.
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've labeled people based on how they were dressed, but sometimes have been guilty of believing those stereotypes without getting to know the person, and later realizing that the perception was wrong. It tells the first impressions mean a lot and are important to how people see you, but they aren't always true because some people don't show fully who they are on a first impression.
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 agree when Ponyboy says that people usually go by looks, for example where hoods will be the bad guys and the neatly dressed will be good guys, because people can't help it. Since the media and society usually portrays the bad guys are usually the hoods, and the clean people are the good guys, people often relate it to reality.
6. Who are the good guys and bad guys in The Outsiders? Explain.
- In the Outsiders, I don't believe there actually is a bad guy or a good guy. If Ponyboy is the protagonist, and therefore considered the "good guy," there isn't an exact antagonist who goes against Ponyboy. If there were to be an antagonist, it would probably be society because Ponyboy wants to improve his life, but he's stuck because of how society thinks of him because he is a greaser.
7. What are the two things Greasers have to be proud of?
- The Greasers are proud of their reputation and their greasy hair.
8. Who is the only Greaser who doesn’t like fights?
- The only Greaser who doesn't like fights would be Johnny, as he says before he dies that fighting is useless.
9. Why is Tim Shepard’s kid brother, Curly, not going to be at the rumble?
- Curlly isn't going to be at the rumble because he was at the reformatory for being caught breaking in to a liquor store.
10. Why does Ponyboy feel he and his gang don’t belong with Tim Sheperd’s gang and the Brumley boys?
- Ponyboy feels that he and his gang doesn't belong to Tim's and Brumley's gang because he believed his gang wasn't as rough and weren't the type of people to become "future convicts" like Tim's gang and the Brumley boys.
11. What are the rules for the rumble?
- The rules of the rumble were no weapons, just fists, and the first to run loses.
12. Who joins the rumble at the last minute?
- Dally joins the rumble with one good arm in the last minute.
13. How did Dally get out of the hospital?
- Dally got out of the hospital by threatening the nurse with Two-Bit's switchblade.
14. How does the fight end?
- The fight ends when the Socs retreat and run from the rumble area.
15. Where do Ponyboy and Dally go after the rumble?
- Ponyboy and Dally, after the rumble, rush over to the hospital by car to see Johnny.
16. How do they get there so quickly?
- They get there by tricking a policeman that Ponyboy was majorly injured, and was escorted to the hospital quickly.
17. What does Johnny tell Ponyboy to do?
- Johnny tells Ponyboy to "Stay gold" before he dies in the hospital, "Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold..." (p. 130)
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. People died, were injured, and didn't solve anything.
2. Why did Dally want to die?
- Dally wanted to die because the only thing he loved in the world, which was Johnny, died. Johnny was the only reason for living for Dally.
3. How do you think the other Greasers will end up?
- The three brothers might try to get a better life and not be in a gang, while the others will just split up and find different lives.
4. Why was Ponyboy concerned with whether or not he had asked for Darry while he was unconscious?
- It was important to ask for Darry because Ponyboy doesn't want to leave Darry out and be mean to him. Ponyboy has trouble to express emotion and to show that he loves Darry, so he wants to make sure that he doesn't leave Darry out.
5. How does Ponyboy get home from the hospital?
-Ponyboy gets home from the hospital by being driven home by Dally.
6. Why is Dally so upset about Johnny’s death?
- Dally was so upset because Johnny was the only thing Dally cared about in the world and was like a little brother to him.
7. Who phones Darry, and what does he want?
- Dally phones Darry, and says that he is being chased by the cops and needs to find a place to hide.
8. What did Johnny leave for Ponyboy?
- The book "gone with the wind" that they bought while they were in the church.
9. Why wouldn’t Ponyboy eat anything when he was sick?
- Like when he kept saying that he didn't like baloney while he was sleeping, he was delusional about all the food and felt like everything would taste like balonie, so he didn't eat.
10. Why is Ponyboy worried about whether or not he called for Darry when he was sick?
- He wants to make sure that he didn't leave Darry out when he called out for his family because it was hard for him to express to Darry that Ponyboy loves hime because of their awkward relationship.
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. 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.
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.