The Outsiders Chapter Questions 1-6
Chapter 1
1. How does the story seem now compared to your previous prediction?
2. Based on what you’ve read so far, where do you think the story is heading?
3. Determine a theme or central idea of the story. Then, explain and cite textual evidence to
support you claim.
Chapter 2
1. What problems do you think the Socs have? How do those problems compare to those of the
Greasers?
2. Create a compare and contrast list between Johnny and Dally.*
3. Why do you think Johnny idolizes Dally? Provide textual evidence to support your claim.
4. Think of the theme or central idea you wrote for Chapter 1’s question. Cite additional evidence
to support what you now think the theme is, using the format discussed in class. Then, explain
how the evidence relates to the theme, and why it is important.
*Demonstrate a compare and contrast graph
Chapter 3
1. Why does Ponyboy feel like Darry doesn’t like him? Do you think his reasons are justified? Why,
or why not?
2. Do you agree with Cherry in that the Grease’s main issue is that their emotional and that
“‘nothing is real’” (38) with the Socs? Why, or why not? What is one commonality Ponyboy
points out between the two groups? Provide textual evidence.
3. When Johnny said “I don’t care” on page 43, do you think he really meant it? Why, or why not?
4. Why do you think Cherry would fall in love with Dally?
5. Why do you think Johnny cowers at the sight of the blue mustang?
6. Provide more textual evidence for your theme by citing direct quotes or inferred information
from the text.
Chapter 4
1. Explain what happens to Ponyboy and Johnny at the park.
2. How does Johnny’s character change after the incident in the park?
3. Who do Johnny and Ponyboy turn to after the incident? Where they right in doing so? Why, or
why not?
4. What do you think will happen to Ponyboy and Johnny next?
5. Write down your theme statement and provide textual evidence to support the idea.
Chapter 5
1. What evidence further indicates a change in Johnny’s behavior?
2. Johnny and Ponyboy disagree on whether or not Dally is like the Southern Gentleman in Gone
with the Wind. What do you think? Support your claim.
3. Who's the spy for the greasers? Does this surprise you? Why or why not?
4. Provide more textual evidence for your theme by citing direct quotes or inferred information
from the text.
Chapter 6
1. Why do you think Cherry chose to associate with – and later help – Johnny and Ponyboy? Is she
a spy?
2. Why do you think Johnny decided they should turn themselves in?
3. What did Ponyboy learn about Dally on the car ride back to the church?
4. What do the boys see when they reach the top of Jay Mountain?
5. How does Ponyboy’s attitude toward his brother Darry change?
6. Cite quotes to support theme.
Chapter 7
1. What is Johnny’s condition after the fire?
2. Why would Two-Bit think Johnny, Dally, and Pony were heroes all along; before they saved the
kids?
3. What was Bob's 'real' problem, according to Randy (p.116)?
4. Why did Pony think it was better to see Socs as "just guys" on p. 118? What do you think he
means by this?
5. Cite more textual evidence to support your theme.
Chapter 8
1. How does what the doctor first says, on page 119, foreshadow Johnny's condition?
2. "We needed Johnny as much as he needed the gang. And for the same reason" (p.121). What do
you think Pony means, and what is the reason?
3. What does Pony mean on p. 123 when he says, "we could get along without anyone but
Johnny"?
4. If Darry didn't have Soda and Pony, why would he be a Soc?
5. What does Cherry mean when she says Bob "wasn't just anyone" on p.129?
6. Cite more textual evidence to support your theme.
Chapter 9
1. Write why each of the following characters fight: Soda, Darry, Two-Bit, Steve, and Pony
2. Why do you think Dally fights?
3. Write down more textual evidence for your theme.
Chapter 10
1. Dally runs out “like the devil was after him” when he finds out Johnny is dead. Why is Dally
having so much trouble handling Johnny‘s death?
2. When Dally calls, what is his message?
3. According to Ponyboy, Johnny died gallant. What does he mean? What is different about the
death of Dally?
4. The narrator writes, “And the ground rushed up to meet me very suddenly.” What really
happened?
5. Why is Ponyboy worried about whether or not he asked for Darry while he was in the hospital?
6. Cite more textual evidence to support your theme.
Chapter 11
1. What stage(s) of grief is Ponyboy in, and how is this different than Randy’s stage(s)? Be specific
in explaining why.
2. Cite more textual evidence to support your theme.
Chapter 12
1. Why is the judge's line of questioning so easy on Ponyboy? Why is he acquitted?
2. Why doesn't Ponyboy feel scared when the Socs approach him and he threatens them with a
broken bottle (p.170-171)? How is this a dramatic change from the Ponyboy we have seen up
until this point?
3. Explain what the note Johnny gave to Ponyboy meant.
4. After Pony and Darry go find Soda, the three of them talk. What is the result of their
conversation?
5. What does Ponyboy end up doing for his English assignment?
6. What is significant about the last sentence of the novel? Why?
7. Cite more textual evidence to support your theme.