Outsiders Analysis
Chapters One and Two
Theme: Appearance
& Character Analysis
• The theme of appearances is immediately introduced in
Chapter 1.
• When Ponyboy becomes aware of the Socs trailing him
in their car, he says, "I automatically hitched my
thumbs in my jeans and slouched," to make up for his
small size and appear tough.
• Characterization:
• Ponyboy describes himself to the reader as unique in
the gang for loving movies and books.
• This characterization is demonstrated as he describes
his homework - which includes reading Great
Expectations.
• He relates to Pip, the main character, because "he felt
marked lousy because he wasn't a gentleman or
anything.”
Theme: Dreaming
• In the last paragraph of Chapter 1, the theme of
dreaming is introduced indirectly.
• Ponyboy is falling asleep, and admits to the reader that,
"I don't care about Darry. But I was still lying and I
knew it. I lie to myself all the time. But I never believe
me."
• Lying to yourself and daydreaming are equated in
Ponyboy's head, suggesting that he feels guilty over his
tendency to escape to alternate realities.
Use of Anecdote & Foreshadowing
(An anecdote is a short tale narrating an interesting
biographical incident.)
• Hinton uses the technique of anecdote to reveal to the
reader the story of Johnny's attack.
• Ponyboy describes it as it happened four months ago to
Cherry at the concession stand.
• The anecdote is key to the development of Johnny's
character, and the whole story, since Johnny's hatred of
Socs is solidified in the attack.
• The anecdote of Johnny's attack ends with a passage of
foreshadowing: "They had scared him that much. He
would kill the next person who jumped him."
• This proves true later.
• Foreshadowing is also used in the last sentence of the
chapter, in which Ponyboy thinks about the Socs and
says, "Man, I thought, if I had worries like that I'd
consider myself lucky. I know better now."
Building Bridges
• Examples from story
• Cherry and Ponyboy’s interaction
Family Ties
• Examples from the story-SHARE
• Soda Pop and Ponyboy
• Pg. 12-”If it hadn’t been for the gang, Johnny
would never have known what love and
affection are.”
• Incident when Johnny was jumped-how gang
reacted
• Two-bit-paying for Johnny’s popcorn
• Pg. 26 “You take up for your buddies no
matter what they do. When you’re a gang,
you stick up for the members. If you don’t
stick up for them, stick together, make like
Theme-Social Injustice
• Examples of this from the story:
SHARE
• Johnny getting jumped
• Ponyboy getting jumped
• Johnny’s parents