The Outsiders Journal Questions
1. When Ponyboy left the movie theatre he was deeply afraid. What are
some fears you have felt or feel?
2. Cherry Valance tells Ponyboy “Things are rough all over.” What are
some ways things have been rough on you?
3. Soda wanted a horse so badly he bawled like a baby. Have you ever
wanted something so badly? What was it? Did you get it? How?
4. Johnny wants to forget about the night he killed Bob. Is there anything
you would like to forget about? Explain.
5. When Johnny cut Ponyboy’s hair he cried because it was “tuff” and he
was proud of it. Is there anything that you are proud of? What is it? Why
are you proud of it?
6. Johnny had a hero worship of Dally. Is there anybody that is your hero?
Explain
7. Randy said to Ponyboy “I wouldn’t have, I would have let those kids burn
to death.” Would you have risked your life to save those kids? Why or why
not?
8. Johnny told Ponyboy “I wouldn’t mind dying if there were not so many
things I haven’t done yet.” What are some things you want to accomplish
before you die?
9. If you had the chance to tell somebody something before you or that
person died, what would it be?
10. Do you think Dally was a hero or a hoodlum? Why?
11. Have you ever had to play the middle person like Soda did between
Darry and Ponyboy? What did you do? How did you feel?
12. What was you opinion of Ponyboy’s theme paper? Why?