Based on
The Outsiders
By S.E. Hinton
About the Book:
Fourteen-year-old Ponyboy Curtis is a greaser. He is the youngest member of a gang
of greasers that look out for each other, especially against the rich socs (short for
“social”). Ponyboy knows the score. The greasers get all the tough breaks. The socs
have it easy with their rich parents, cars, and free time to party. This is what Pony has
thought all his life. Late one night, he and his friend Johnny are cornered by a group
of socs. While trying to protect Pony, Johnny kills a soc. The two boys look to another
greaser named Dally to help them run. During the time they are hiding out from the
police, Johnny and Pony daringly rescue a group of kids from a burning building. In
the process, Johnny is burned. He dies a few days later. A rumble is called to settle
the score. Pony begins to see that the socs have troubles too. Their life is not perfect.
After witnessing the deaths of three boys over the course of one week, Pony’s life
takes on a new meaning. He begins to see the faces of people as individuals instead
of a greaser or soc.
Set the Stage:
Use the following to get the students ready to read:
• Discuss with students the different groups or clubs to which they belong. Why are these important in their
lives? What do they get out of them? What is required of them to be in the groups?
• Although the story takes place in the 1950s, discuss with students how the labeling of people and group
pressures still exists today.
• Ask students what it takes to change how people view others.
Review:
After reading the book, discuss the following:
• Describe Pony’s family and friends. Why are they called greasers? Compare and contrast the life of a
greaser and a soc.
• Why was it important for Pony to feel like a part of the greasers? Why do people label others? What
groups do you know that have labels? What stereotypes and perceptions do you have of those groups?
Do you belong to any? Are the perceptions true?
• What was significant about Pony meeting Cherry? How does this affect his attitude toward socs? What do
you think Johnny felt about meeting Cherry? Why did the author add Cherry to the story? If you were the
author, would you keep the story of Cherry the same or change that part? Explain.
• Johnny kills a man trying to protect Pony. Why does Pony run away with Johnny? When Johnny and
Pony are hiding out, Pony reads Gone with the Wind to Johnny. Why was this important for Johnny? Was
Johnny good or bad? Explain.
• Why does Johnny idolize Dally? How does Dally feel about Johnny?
• Why do Johnny and Pony so heroically risk their lives to save the children? Does saving someone’s life
make up for taking someone else’s life?
• Randy tells Pony about Bob’s troubles. Contrast Pony’s relationship with his brother to that of Bob’s
relationship with his parents. Which relationship was healthier? Why?
• How does meeting Cherry and talking to Randy help Pony begin to see that everyone has problems?
• What does Johnny mean when he tells Pony to stay gold?
• Why did Pony keep saying that he had killed Bob?
pg. 1 of 2
Student Activity (found on the last page of this PDF):
In this activity, students will analyze various characters in the book.
Related Activities
To extend students’ enjoyment of the book, try these:
• Kindness Challenge: Have students research the organization called Rachel’s
Challenge. Create a team of students to implement the program at your school.
• Map It: Have students make a graphic organizer of the lessons that they learned
from this book. Then have students write a summary where they elaborate and
apply these lessons to their own lives.
• You’re a Song Writer: Guide students in a brainstorming session of characters
and themes of the story. Then, have students write lyrics to a song that
highlights one or more key themes of the story. Some students may wish to
perform their songs for the class.
• The Turnaround: Gangs exist in our society. Unfortunately, this results in crime,
intimidation, and violence. Have students research information about people
who are former gang members but have now turned their lives around and are
productive and helpful to others. Students should gather information as to why
the individual joined the gang and how they were able to break away. Students
can then summarize their findings in a brief essay.
• Learn From My Mistakes: Step into the future and have students imagine that the story’s
characters are now 20 years older. Students are to choose a character and write a speech about
what they think this character would share with today’s young people. The speech should be less
than five minutes in length and be grounded in a positive message.
pg. 2 of 2
© 2010 Scholastic Inc. 8476
Cherry
Dally
Johnny
Darry
Soda
Characters
What motivated
this person?
Complete the character analysis chart below.
Name What strengths did this
person possess?
Permission to reproduce this curriculum connection is fully granted by Scholastic Book Fairs.
What struggles did this
person face?
Based on The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Inside the Outsiders
How did they
influence him?
© 2010 Scholastic Inc. 8476
How were they
important to Pony?