The Outsiders:
Chapters 6-9
Reading Guide (Chapters 6-9)
Name:________________
Hour: _______
1. What do we learn about Cherry in the beginning of chapter 6?
2. Why does Johnny decide to turn himself in to the police? Give 2 reasons. (Chapter 6)
3. Why is Ponyboy surprised at how Jerry Wood treats him in the hospital? (Chapter 6)
4. How does Ponyboy see Randy differently after their conversation? (Chapter 7)
5. What is Johnny’s reaction to the seriousness injuries? How has this event changed his view on life?
Explain. (Chapter 8)
6. What were the different reasons each character gave as to why they fought? (Chapter 9)
Soda: ____________________ Steve: __________________ Darry: ___________________
Two-Bit: ___________________
Ponyboy: _________________
7. What were Johnny’s last words to Ponyboy? What do you think Johnny means? (Chapter 9)
Flashback:
Most of the events in The Outsiders are presented in the order in which they happened. However, the sequence
is interrupted at two points in the story when Ponyboy describes incidents that took place sometime in the past
to Johnny and Soda. Briefly describe each incident and tell what you learn more about each character from the
flashback. (Inference)
Johnny:
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Sodapop:
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Following the Characters (Chapters 6-9)
Below: Circle three quotes and also explain what we learn about a character or situation from the
book.
Chapter 7: “He kept trying to make someone say ‘No’ and they never did. That was what he wanted.
For someone to tell him ‘No.’ To have somebody lay down the law, set the limits, give him something
solid to stand on. That’s what we all want, really.”
[Randy]
Chapter 7: “You can’t win, even if you whip us. You’ll still be where you were before- at the bottom.
And we’ll still be the lucky ones with all the breaks. So it doesn’t do any good, the fighting and the
killing. It doesn’t prove a thing. We’ll forget it if you win, or if you don’t. Greasers will still be greasers
and Socs will still be Socs.” [Randy]
Chapter 8: You know, the only thing that keeps Darry from being a Soc is us.” [Two-Bit]
Chapter 8: “That why people don’t ever think to blame the Socs and are always ready to jump on us.
We look hoody and they look decent. It could just be the other way around- half of the hoods I know
are pretty decent guys underneath all that grease, and from what I’ve heard, a lot of Socs are just coldblooded mean- but people usually go by looks.” [Ponyboy]
Chapter 9: “You’d better wise up, Ponyboy…you get tough like me and you don’t get hurt. You look out
for yourself and nothin’ can touch you…” [Dallas]
Quote 1:
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Quote 2:
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Quote 3:
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Follow the Theme: Write your thematic statement you chose from chapters 1-3. Write two
details from the text that supports the theme from chapters 4-5. Then explain how your details tie into
your theme.
Thematic Statement: __________________________________________________________________
Detail 1: ____________________________________________________________________________
Detail 2: ____________________________________________________________________________
How do your details tie into your theme? Explain
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