Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 1
Character Analysis
A character analysis helps you understand the individual personality
of each character and gives you practice in looking for information in
the text.
Directions: For each character, describe a major decision, problem,
issue or concern they are facing. Then describe how the character
resolves the decision, problem, issue or concern. Include one quote
per character in the book in regards to the decision problem, issue or
concern.
Ponyboy:
Johnny:
Dally:
Sodapop:
Darry:
Randy:
Cherry:
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 2
Character Comparisons and Contrasts
Comparing and contrasting characters and events helps you identify
specific developments in the story and whether or not you feel they
are important.
Directions: In pairs, compare and contrast the following pairs of
characters. Make a list of the characteristics on the chart below.
Ponyboy and Darry
Ponyboy and Johnny
Sodapop and Darry
Ponyboy and Dally
Trait or situation
Interests or Concerns
Family:
Intelligence
How to deal with conflict
Physical Appearance
Fears, Worries
Dreams for future
Character 1
Pony: Sunsets, reading,
track
Character 2
Darry: Football, working,
raising his brothers
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 3
Labels for Characterization
Characterization is the method used by writers to develop how the
character looks, acts, and thinks. This activity gives you an
understanding of personality types and how sometimes labels are
placed on others.
Directions: Pretend you are creating a personality profile for each of
the greasers. Come up with a name or label for each person. (For
example: The shy one, The tough one, Top Dog, The Bear) Next
give a 1-paragraph description for each personality type and how it
fits that particular character.
Ponyboy:
Sodapop:
Darry:
Two-Bit:
Johnny:
Dally:
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 4
Details
Reread Ponyboy’s description of Steve, Two-Bit, Dallas, and Johnny in chapter 1.
Notice the details that Ponyboy gives you about each friend’s appearances,
personality, and Ponyboy’s reaction to each one. List the details next to each
character:
Steve:___________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Two-Bit:_________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Dallas:___________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Johnny:__________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Think of the details that describe one of your close friends. Jot down the kinds
of details about your friend that Ponyboy gave. Note one or two incidents that
illustrate your friend’s personality and character.
Details:__________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Incidents:________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Write 2 paragraphs on the back of this paper describing your friend
that way Ponyboy described his friends.
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 5
Self Worth
As Ponyboy reacts to the situations that face him and his fellow greasers, his
comments reveal much about the way he views himself. Read the passages in
the chapter from which the statements are taken. Explain what the statement
tells you about Ponyboy’s self image.
1. I lie to myself all the time. But I never believe me. (Ch 1):______________
_________________________________________________________________
2. I hate to tell people my name for the first time. (Ch2):__________________
_________________________________________________________________
3. You take up for your buddies, no matter what they do. (Ch2):____________
_________________________________________________________________
4. “It’s okay,” I said, wishing I was dead and buried somewhere. Or at least that
I had on a decent shirt. (Ch 3):___________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
5. It wasn’t fair for the Socs to have everything. We were as good as they
were; it wasn’t out fault we were greasers. (Ch 3):_______________________
_________________________________________________________________
6. I was in the country, but I knew I wasn’t going to like it as much as I’d
thought I would. There are things worse than being a greaser. (Ch 4)
_________________________________________________________________
7. Maybe we couldn’t have Corvairs or madras shirts, but we could have hair.
(Ch 5): ___________________________________________________________
8. Dally was the one I liked least…. I liked my books and clouds and sunsets.
(Ch 5):___________________________________________________________
9. I jerked loose and ran on. All I could think was: We started it. We started it.
We started it. (Ch 6):_____________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
10. I had taken the long way around, but I was finally home. To stay. (Ch 6)
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 6
Characterization
Directions:
1. Think of words and phrases that describe Ponyboy, and put them under
his name.
2. Then think of words and phrases that describe how Ponyboy feels about
Darry. Put them on the line with arrow up towards Darry.
3. Then think of words and phrases that describe how Darry feels about
Ponyboy. Put them on the line with the arrow down towards Ponyboy.
4. Repeat process with each character.
Darrry
Sodapop
Johnny
Ponyboy
Directions: Use the notes you have written and write a character
sketch of Ponyboy. Character sketch is a brief, vivid description of a
person. It includes physical characteristics and personality
characteristics. This must be two paragraphs on the back.
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 7
Plot Map
Summarize the story using the story map below. Choose your words and events
carefully.
Climax
Event
Event
Exposition
Conflict
Setting
Event
Rising
Action
Resolution
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 8
Plot Analysis
Plot is the series of events that make up the story. In the circles
describe in order what Ponyboy does from the time Two-Bit and
Steve arrive at breakfast at the Curtis house:
Type here:
Type here:
Type here:
Type here:
Type here:
Type here:
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 9
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is a technique authors use to drop hints about future
events in a novel. Predict what each event below foreshadows about
the rest of the story and tell why you made that prediction.
Johnny tells
Ponyboy,” I don’t
want to die now. It
ain’t long enough.”
Two-Bit says,” We
could get along
without anyone but
Johnny.”
Dally asks for
Two-Bit’s knife.
Type here:
Type here:
Type here:
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 10
Setting
Setting determines time, place, and tone.
Draw a map at the bottom and back of the paper for the settings in
chapters 4-6 that include the following: Must be detailed and in
color.
The park
The train
The road to Jay Mountain
The church on Jay Mountain
The restaurant where Dally takes Johnny and Ponyboy
The place where the kids were picnicking
The hospital
Ponyboy’s house
Dally’s house
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 11
Story Map
Setting
Characters:
Time:
Place:
Problem
Goal
Problem:
Goal:
Beginning:
Episodes
Middle:
Resolution:
Resolution
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 12
Heroism
A theme is a general concept or idea, such as love, justice, or
sorrow. One way to help you think of themes is to complete the
sentence: “This is a book about__________________”
One theme is heroism. Ponyboy and Johnny both exhibit heroic
behaviors when they rescue the children from the fire. Answer the
following questions 1 paragraph each:
1. What makes a hero/heroine? What qualities make a person
heroic?
2. Who in the story is most heroic? Why? Find a passage in the
novel that would demonstrate his heroism.
3. Who is your personal hero/heroine? Why?
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 13
Loyalty
A theme is a general concept or idea, such as love, justice, or
sorrow. One way to help you think of themes is to complete the
sentence: “This is a book about__________________”
How would you define loyalty? Is it possible to be loyal to more than
one person or group at the same time, even if they are in opposition
of one another?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Choose 2 characters and write 1 paragraph EACH describing who or
what that character is most loyal:
Ponyboy
Johnny
Two-Bit
Dally
Cherry
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 14
Ethics
Ethics are the values or beliefs by which we live and make decisions
every day. Answer each question in 3 or more sentences.
1. Who is most at fault for what happens to Johnny? Why?
2. Should Randy fight in the rumble? Why or why not?
3. Should Two-Bit have given Dally his knife? Why or Why not?
4. Should Cherry help the greasers? Why or why not?
5. Is Darry setting a good example for Ponyboy and Sodapop by
joining the rumble?
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 15
Theme Analysis
A theme is a general concept or idea, such as love, justice, or
sorrow. One way to help you think of themes is to complete the
sentence: “This is a book about__________________”
Select a passage or quotation from the book that illustrates the
following themes. You must write the passage and the page number.
Alienation:
Stereotypes:
Family/Love:
Violence:
Grief:
Heroism:
Justice:
Bravery:
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 16
Theme Essay
A theme is a general concept or idea, such as love, justice, or
sorrow. One way to help you think of themes is to complete the
sentence: “This is a book about__________________”
Directions: Select one passage or quotation that stands out the most, or which will set
the mood for the rest of the novel. Write a 3-paragraph essay explaining the passage and
why you feel it is important.
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 17
Similes
A simile is a comparison between two unlike things using “like” or
“as”. Creative writers use similes to make their writing more
descriptive and more interesting. A cliché is a simile that has been
overused such as “the bed was as hard as a rock.” Writers try to
avoid using clichés.
Create a simile by filling in the blanks for the following, but avoid
clichés:
1. The room was as small as_____________________________.
2. The woman was as scared as___________________________.
3. The puppy kicked and rolled around like__________________.
4. I was as mad as_____________________________________.
5. He is as crazy as_____________________________________.
Now write 5 more similes using information from the novel. Do not
use clichés.
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 18
Symbolism
A symbol is an object or action that stands for something else.
What do you think are the four most important symbols in the novel?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Explain which character is most affected by each symbol or image:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Find at least two places throughout out the novel where the images
or symbols are mentioned. Write the passage and the page number.
1.
2.
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 19
Making Inferences
Read each of the statements below. Then circle the letter before the
name of the character who made the statement. Explain what you
think the character meant by the statement.
1. “Things are rough all over.”
A. Darry
B. Cherry
C. the judge
Meaning:_________________________________________________
2. “I think I like it better when the old man’s hitting me… At least
then I know he knows who I am.
A. Johnny
B. Sodapop
C. Randy
Meaning:_________________________________________________
3. “…you get tough like me and you don’t get hurt.”
A. Cherry
B. Dally
C. Johnny
Meaning:_________________________________________________
4. “Ponyboy, listen, don’t get tough. You’re not like the rest of us
and don’t try to be…”
A. Bob
B. Dallas
C. Two-Bit
Meaning:_________________________________________________
5. “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold…”
A. Dallas
B. Sodapop
C. Johnny
Meaning:_________________________________________________
6. “…it’s like I’m the middleman in a tug o’ war and I’m being split
in half.”
A. Sodapop
B. Johnny
C. Darry
Meaning:_________________________________________________
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 20
Alternative Views
Imagine how this story would begin if told from the point of view of
each of the following characters. Provide an alternate first paragraph
for the novel as if the following characters wrote it:
Darry:
Johnny
Cherry
Dally
Bob
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 21
Ponyboy’s point of view
Ponyboy gives you his opinions about the other characters in The
Outsiders. What is his reaction to each character listed below.
Circle the word that best describes Ponyboy’s attitude toward each
character.
1. Sodapop
A. resentment
B. love
C. disinterest
2. Two-Bit
A. amusement
B. distrust
c. dislike
3. Johnny
A. anger
B. fondnessC. impatience
4. Dallas
A. hatred
B. trust
C. amusement
5.Cherry
A. dislike
B. indifference
C. puzzlement
6. Darry
A. respect
B. sorrow
C. disinterest
7. Randy
A. jealously
B. respect
C. loyalty
8. Bob
A. fear
B. respect
C. loyalty
9. Jerry Wood
A. fear
B. gratitude
D. curiosity
10. Mr. Syme
A. guilt
B. appreciation
C. love
Chose a character and tell how Ponyboy’s attitude toward that
character changes during the course of the novel. 1 paragraph on
the back.
What kind of attitude does Ponyboy have about himself? In one
paragraph on the back write your impressions of Ponyboy’s ideas
about himself as a person.
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 22
Point of View
Write a phrase to complete the thought in each of the sentences
below.
1. Ponyboy’s attitude toward Darry changed when he discovered
that________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
2. One reason that Johnny was special to the greasers was their
realization that______________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
3. Ponyboy’s attitude toward Sodapop changed when he
discovered that______________________________________
___________________________________________________
4. Ponyboy learned from Cherry and Randy that______________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
5. By the end of the novel, Ponyboy thought of himself as______
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Tell how the following characters point of view on life is similar or
different in a 3-5 sentences EACH on the back.
Sodapop and Darry
Two-Bit and Marcia
Ponyboy and Johnny
Ponyboy and Cherry
Dally and Bob
Name:________________________________
Date:_________________________________
Hour:________________________________
Activity 23
Perceptions
Write a journal, ¾ of page without skipping lines, evaluating
Ponyboy’s and Cherry’s different viewpoints about the greasers and
the Socs. Think about the following questions: Is Cherry right in
defending the Socs? Do you perceive Ponyboy, Cherry, and Johnny
as typical members of their groups. What do you think motivates
each character? Etc.