The OutsidersGuided reading questions
ch. 1
1. In a few sentences, summarize chapter one, including what happened to start the whole story.
2. From whose point of view is the story told?
3. Who are the two opposing social groups in the story? How are they different (why are they in opposition)?
4. Where are the Curtis brothers’ parents?
5. Who is Sodapop’s best friend, and how does Ponyboy feel about him? Why?
6. What is Two Bits real name? How did he get his nickname?
7. Describe Dally’s background. How does it affect what the reader thinks about him?
8. What does Darry do for a living?
ch.2-3
1. In a few sentences, summarize chapters two and three.
2. What hobby did Sodapop enjoy, and why did he quit?
3. Explain what happened at the drive-in between Dally and the two Soc girls and Johnny (more than one sentence).
4. Why did the rest of the guys expect a fight that night? What is their attitude toward it? Why?
5. LIST the Greasers’ two rules.
6. Explain the difference between “tough” and “tuff.”
7. What is that Ponyboy tells Cherry that he thinks separates the Socs and the Greasers? What does Cherry say is the real separation?
8. Who is Mickey Mouse?
9. Why is he so important to Sodapop?
10. What does Ponyboy mean when he tells Cherry they both watch the same sunsets?
11. Who does Cherry say she could fall in love with? Why does it surprise Ponyboy?
12. What happens to make Ponyboy run away from home?
13. LIST 3-4 things that are specific to the identity of the Greasers.
14. LIST 3-4 things that are specific to the identity of the Socs.
ch.4-6
1. In a few sentences, summarize chapters four through six.
2. What did the Socs do to make Johnny kill Bob? Why did they do it?
3. Who does Johnny and Ponyboy go to for help? What does he tell them to do, and what does he give them?
4. VERY specifically, tell and describe where the boys go to hideout and how they get there.
5. List some of the items that Johnny gets for supplies for the week. Explain the reasoning behind the peroxide. What do you think these supplies tell you about the boys?
6. What book did Johnny bring Ponyboy? Why?
7. How did Johnny and Ponyboy decide to disguise themselves?
8. Why is Ponyboy’s hair so important to him?
9. What poem does Ponyboy recite to Johnny? What is its significance to the moment?
10. What special item does Dally later bring Ponyboy? Summarize the contents.
11. Who is going to be a spy for the Greasers? What is going on that they need a spy?
12. Where did the boys go with Dally?
13. What does Johnny reveal to Dally?
14. Why has Johnny decided to do what he tells Dally? (multiple reasons!)
15. What happened to the church?
16. Who was there at the time?
17. Who was the first person into the church?
18. Why did he go into the church?
19. What happened to Dally, Johnny, and Ponyboy at the church?
20. What did Darry do to make Ponyboy realize Darry loved him?
ch. 7-8
1. In a few sentences, summarize chapters seven and eight.
2. Why had Johnny decided to turn himself in to the fuzz (give all his reasons)?
3. While waiting for news in the hospital, what does Ponyboy tell reporters he wants more than anything?
4. What does the doctor say will happen to Johnny?
5. What food item do the Curtis brothers all enjoy for breakfast?
6. What headline made the next morning’s paper? What all did the story mention?
7. Which Soc wants to talk to Ponyboy? Why?
8. What does he say Bob really wanted?
9. What two things does Johnny ask for when Ponyboy and Two Bit go see him in the hospital?
10. What is Johnny’s reaction when the nurse tells him his mother is there to see him?
11. What was the one item Dally asks for from Two Bit? Why is it a big deal?
12. What reason does Cherry give for not going to see Johnny? What does she tell Ponyboy about the rumble?
ch. 9-10
MANY OF THESE QUESTIONS HAVE MULTIPLE PARTS!
1. What is the mood at the Curtis house before the rumble? How do you know?
2. Who all do the Greasers join at the vacant lot?
3. According to Ponyboy’s survey, why is it that each of the Greasers fight?
4. Who ends up taking on the role of leader at the rumble? Who does he prepare to fight, and what is their relationship?
5. Who comes late to the rumble, and what is the effect of his arrival? How?
6. What is the rule regarding weapons at this rumble?
7. Who wins? How do they know?
8. Where does Dally take Ponyboy after the rumble? What happens on the way?
9. Describe their entrance to Johnny’s room (what happens on the way, how do they get in, etc.). How is Johnny?
10. What are Johnny’s last words to Ponyboy? To what is he referring, and what does he mean by it?
11. Why does Ponyboy say Dally can’t accept what happens to Johnny?
12. What does Dally do as a result of his grief over Johnny?
13. According to Ponyboy, does Dally get what he wanted? How?
14. Why does Ponyboy collapse?
15. What had Johnny given the nurse to give to Ponyboy? How does Ponyboy react to it?
ch. 11-12
1. In a few sentences, summarize chapters eleven and twelve.
2. What does Ponyboy tell Randy about who killed Bob? Why?
3. What happens at the end of the trial?
4. What does Ponyboy do that lets Two Bit know that Pony won’t “get tough”? Why?
5. In Johnny’s note, what all does he ask Ponyboy to tell Dally (several things!)?
6. What is the subject of Ponyboy’s final paper for his English class?