S.E. Hinton's "The Outsiders" Study Guide Questions

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Directions:  DO NOT WRITE ON THIS PAPER!!!!  On a separate sheet of lined paper and using complete sentences, write the answers to the following questions.

Chapters 1:

1.        This story is being told from 1^st person point of view. Who is telling the story?

2.        Please tell me more information about the main character (i.e.: name. physical description, personality, likes/dislikes, etc.)

3.        What is the setting at the beginning of the story? Where is Ponyboy coming from?

4.        The East-side kids are called _____.  Why?

        The West-side kids are called _____.  Why?

5.        What happened to Ponyboy’s parents?

6.        Which group does Ponyboy and his brothers belong to?

7.        What almost happens to Ponyboy in Chapter 1?  Who rescues him?

8.        Please write any information you find about the following characters:  Darry, Sodapop, Two-bit Matthews, Steve Randle, and Dallas Winston.

9.        How are the gangs in this part of town different than in New York?

10.     What is a rumble?

11.     Is Ponyboy concerned with the appearance he gives off to others?  Why or why not?

12.     What two things does Sodapop tell Ponyboy at the end of Chapter 1?

Chapter 2:

1.        What is the setting of Chapter 2?

2.        Please write any information you find about Cherry Valance.

3.        How was Jonny so out of character in this chapter?

4.        What is Two-bit’s version of a fair fight?

5.        How does Ponyboy feel about being seen with Cherry and Marcia?

6.        Why is Johnny so nervous and panicky all the time?

7.        Ponyboy doesn’t believe that Socs can have problems.  What problems do you think Cherry is talking about?

Chapter 3:

1.        How does Cherry explain the difference between the Socs and the Greasers?

2.        How does Ponyboy feel about his brother Darry?

3.        What does Ponyboy mean when he says that his gang gets all “the rough breaks”?

4.        Why did the girls take a ride home with the Soc boys in the Mustang?

5.        What were Cherry’s last words to Ponyboy before she left?  What do you think she meant by that?

6.        Why was Darry so angry with Ponyboy?  How did Darry react and how did Ponyboy respond?

7.        What does Johnny say about the abuse he receives from his parents?

8.        How is the last line an example of suspense?

Chapter 6:

1.        What is Cherry’s connection to Bob (the Soc who was killed)?

2.        What was Cherry offering to do to help bring Johnny and Ponyboy back home?

3.        What does Johnny want to do?

4.        Why do you think Johnny wants to know about his parents?

5.        What happened at the church on Jay Mountain?

6.        Who is Jerry Wood?  Why do you believe he is helping the boys?

7.        Who came to pick Ponyboy up from the hospital?

8.        How does Ponyboy’s opinion of Darry begin to change in this chapter?

Chapter 7:

1.        What is Johnny’s condition at the beginning of the chapter?

2.        How did the headline read in the newspaper?

3.        What does Ponyboy learn from the newspaper article?

4.        What happened to Soda’s thought of marrying Sandy?

5.        What did Randy want to talk to Ponyboy about?

6.        Ponyboy is beginning to understand what cherry meant by “it’s rough all over.”  What does he think she meant by the comment?

7.        Ponyboy says Randy isn’t a Soc.  He says, “he’s just a ______________.”

Chapter 8:

1.        When Ponyboy and Two-bit went to see Johnny what two things did he ask for?

2.        Why do you believe Johnny asked not to see his mother?

3.        What did Dally want from Two-bit?  What do you think he’s going to do with it?

4.        Why do Two-bit and Ponyboy believe that Darry could be a Soc if it weren’t for the Greasers?

5.        What did Cherry tell Two-bit and Ponyboy about the Socs plan for the rumble?

6.        Why won’t Cherry go to see Johnny?

7.        How is Ponyboy making a connection with Cherry?

Chapter 9:

1.        Why did the boys spend so much time and effort getting ready for the rumble?

2.        Why do the boys like to fight?

3.        Why doesn’t Darry want Ponyboy to fight?

4.        Why are the boys singing songs and chanting about being a Greaser?

5.        Who was waiting at the vacant lot when the Greasers arrived there?

6.        What Greaser shows up at the rumble?

7.        Who won the rumble?

8.        What advice did Johnny offer Ponyboy and Dallas?

9.        What happens at the end of the chapter?