Name: Key
The Outsiders Ch. 7-12 Study Guide
Chapter Seven
1. Explain what Pony means when he says Soda "reminds me of a colt" on p. 89.
Soda reminds Pony of a colt because he is so curious about everything, and he gets into so
many situations.
2. What condition is Johnny in after the fire?
Johnny is in critical condition because he is burned everywhere except his face
and his back was broken by a falling timber.
3. Why would being crippled be worse for Johnny than someone else?
He doesn’t have anyone to take care of him. His parents don’t care about him, so
he would be stuck with them.
4. "Maybe people are younger when they are asleep" (p.92). What do you think
about this comment?
I think it means that people relax and dream pleasant things when they are
asleep. Because they are relaxed, they look younger.
5. What is a juvenile delinquent (p. 95)?
A young person (a teenager) who has committed a crime.
6. Why would Two-Bit think Johnny, Dally, and Pony were heroes all along;
before they saved the kids?
Two-Bit thinks Johnny, Dally, and Pony are heroes because they each act like a
hero in other ways. Johnny has to endure such a bad home life, Dally has lived a
hard life, but he always protects the greasers. Pony is smart and he’s not “tuff”.
7. What was Bob's 'real' problem, according to Randy (p.102)?
Bob wants his parents to set limits or rules for him, so he would know that they
love him.
8. Why did Pony think it was better to see socs as "just guys" on p. 104? What do
you think he means by this? It was better because then, the greasers and the socs
could talk and find things in common. It was important to see past the
stereotypes and not judge one another.
Chapter Eight
1. How does what the doctor first says, on page 105, foreshadow Johnny's
condition? The doctor says to let Pony and Two Bit see Johnny because “it doesn’t
matter now.” This statement foreshadow’s Johnny’s death.
2. "We needed Johnny as much as he needed the gang. And for the same reason"
(p.107). What do you think Pony means, and what is the reason? Pony means that
they are all like a family and Johnny is an important part of the group. It wouldn’t
be the same without him in it.
3. If Darry didn't have Soda and Pony, why would he be a soc? Darry was smart
and determined. He would’ve been able to go to college, get a good job, and
have a better life.
4. What does Cherry mean when she says Bob "wasn't just any boy" on p.113?
Bob had good qualities such as being a leader, and he had a personality that drew
people to him.
Chapter Nine
1. On the bottom of p.116, when Pony asks what kind of a world it is, what
comment is he making about how society judges people?
People are quick to judge other by how they look and what they have heard
about them.
2. Why do the boys fight? Why is Pony different?
Pony- self-defense, Darry – Pride, Steve –Anger, Soda- competition, Two-Bitconformity (to fit in)
3. What is the difference between Tim Sheppard's gang and Ponyboy's? Explain
how Pony feels this difference might give his group the upper hand? The greasers
don’t have a real leader. Tim keeps his gang in line through fear. Pony thinks the
greasers have the advantage because they stick together out of loyalty.
4. What do you think Johnny's last words to Pony mean? Johnny meant for Pony
not to be hardened by bad things and to continue to see good in the world.
Chapter Ten
1. How does Pony's dreaming, or lying to himself, finally work in this chapter?
He convinces himself that Johnny isn’t dead.
2. Why was Johnny's death so difficult for Dally to handle?
Johnny’s death was hard for Dally to handle because he was the one person Dally
cared about.
3. Why do you think Dally would have wanted to die? Dally doesn’t have anyone
else in the world that he cares about, and he doesn’t want to be alone.
Chapter Eleven
1. Explain why Pony might rather anyone's hate than their pity (p.141)?
People might hate others that they consider equal to them. Pity is for people
considered socially beneath you.
2. What do you think is going on with Ponyboy when he says, "Johnny didn't have
anything to do with Bob's getting killed" (p.143)?
He doesn’t want people to think of Johnny as a killer.
Chapter Twelve
1. What 'circumstances' does Ponyboy's teacher refer to? What circumstances
does Ponyboy think his teacher is referring to?
The teacher is referring Pony boy’s concussion and the trial. Pony boy thinks he
talking about Bob’s death, the fire, Johnny’s death, Dally’s death, and the trial
2. Why doesn't Ponyboy feel scared when the socs approach him and he
threatens them with a broken bottle (p.148)? How is this a dramatic change from
the Ponyboy we have seen up until this point? He has withdrawn from everything
since the deaths and he’s tired of everyone fighting. So he decides he is going to
be tough and hard toward the world.
3. What does Darry mean when he says, "you don't just stop living because you
lose someone" (p.150)? He means that Pony has to start caring about the things
that matter to him. For example, his school work.
4. How do we know Sandy didn't love Soda as much as he loved her?
She is having a baby that isn’t Soda’s baby, and she returns Soda’s letter
unopened.
5. Explain how Darry and Ponyboy play tug of war with Soda.
Soda is always the one trying to work out the problems between Pony and Darry.
6. What do we learn was so special about Johnny (p.154-55)?
Johnny listens to everyone’s problems and genuinely cares about others.
7. What does Ponyboy end up doing for his English assignment?
He writes The Outsiders so that people will learn not to judge others.