Table of Contents
 Before Reading My Novel………………………………………….
 Attribute Web- “I” Ponyboy Curtis……………………………..
 Attribute Web- Sodapop Curtis…………………………………..
 Attribute Web- Johnny Cade……………………………………….
 Attribute Web- Dallas Winston…………………………………...
 Attribute Web- Darry…………………………………………………..
 Attribute Web- Steve Randalle……………………………………
 Attribute Web- Cherry Valance……………………………………
 Attribute Web- Two-Bit Matthews………………………………
 Chapter Notes (important details on chapters)……………..
 Novel Studies: The Outsiders Chapter 1…………………….
 Attitudes toward Others…………………………………………….
 Chapter 1, 2, 3 Complications……………………………………….
 Chapter Titles…………………………………………………………………
 Chapter 2…Questions……………………………………………………
 Chapter 3 Questions…………………………………………………….
 Chapter 4 Questions……………………………………………………….

Before Reading My Novel
1.
Thinking About The Title
Write the title of your novel on the line below.
_______________The Outsiders_____________
Think about the title. What does it tell you about the novel? Write two questions below about the novel that comes to mind because of the title.
_If there are outsiders, are there insiders? __________
_Who are the outsiders?
2.
Thinking about the cover illustration
Describe the illustration. There are boys showing negative emotions and the town seems to be fading away. Shows some darkness in the illustration.
Write two questions below about the novel that came to mind because of the illustration.
Is there a violent act in the novel? Gangs?
What does the fading away city and darkness mean?
3.
Reading About the Book.
Information printed on the back cover and on introductory pages gives you some hints about what the book will be about. Often you can learn about the author from these pages. Read and think about this information in your novel. Below, list three interesting things you have learned about the novel or its author.
1.
The novel is a story about heroines and friendship.
2.
Two gangs have trouble with each other- “Socs” and “Greasers”
3.
Violent acts
4.
Main character possibly Ponyboy
5.
Characters - Ponyboy and his brothers are the only people he can trust

Novel Studies: The Outsiders Chapter 1
1.
In chapter 1, Ponyboy describes the two gangs, the Greasers and the Socs. Create a T-Chart
Listing the characteristics
2.
Describe the setting of chapter one.
The setting of chapter one seems to be in a neighborhood in New York. The Greasers in Eastside and the Socs in the Westside. They are two rival gangs. The settings in chapter one often takes place in the Eastside, where the Greasers are. The time is around the 1960’s. Ponyboy and his brother’s life together without any parents.
It seems to be in a negative state as there was a violent act which occurred between the gangs committed by the Socs.
Theater
Street
Eastside
1960’s
Chapters 1,2,3 Setting: The Outsiders is set in a large, unnamed town in the United States. It is about a gang of teenage boys who are called the Greasers. They live on the east side of the town, also known as the wrong side of town; the eastside neighborhood is described in graphic detail. The story is set in the 1960’s and relates the incidents that take place over a few days.
3.
Generate a list of idioms
-
Bleed like a stuck pig = bleeding heavily
Hacked off= getting into trouble, wondered off
Tuff= cool and sharp
You are the hood= you are one of us, the gang
__________________=_______________________

4.
Make Jot notes on relations between Ponyboy and other characters
Ponyboy  Darry= Older brother, respects him greatly
Darry Ponyboy= Young brother, small child, baby, smart, respectful
Ponyboy  Johnny= Good friends, understand each other well, strong friendship
Johnny  Ponyboy= Good friends, understand each other well, strong friendship
Ponyboy  Sodapop= Respects Sodapop as a brother strong friendship
Sodapop  Ponyboy= Respects Sodapop as a brother strong friendship
Ponyboy  Dally= Not a lot of respect, little friendship, mean, tough, violent
Dally  Ponyboy= Respect, little friendship, smartness, wise, young
Ponyboy  Cherry= Good friends, strong friendship, understand each other, nice, kind
Cherry  Ponyboy= Good friends, strong friendship, understand each other, nice, kind, smart
Ponyboy  Randy= Soda’s buddy, not strong friendship, little
Randy  Ponyboy= little friendship, annoying
Chapter 2 Questions
1.
Why do you think Johnny may have spoken up to Dally?
Johnny may have spoken up the to Dallas because he had the chance, he was the gangs pet and no one can hit him, he had the opportunity to help the girls and stand up to Dally. He may have felt that it was wrong for him to bother the girls because it was his first time sitting with Socs girls normally without any problems. It was a moment when Johnny was nice and Johnny didn’t want it ruined.
2.
What did Cherry learn about the Greasers and what did Ponyboy learn about the Socs.
Through the talk with Ponyboy, Cherry learned a lot of things about the Greasers. Ponyboy also learned more about the Socs through Cherry.
Cherry learned:
- The Greasers have a positive side, nice people, good things (pg. 31 p4, 5 – Understanding the paragraph)
- Not all Greasers are violent or mean (pg.31 p4, 5)
- Some Greasers enjoy and like school (Ponyboy, cp2)
- Some Greasers are educated (Ponyboy, cp2)
- Not all bad or disrespectful (pg.24 lines 20- 30- Within words)
- Likes culture (pg.35 p2)
- Culture, likes movies, reading (pg.35 p2)
- Some Greasers respectful towards females (Whole cp.2)
- During their fights, they fight fair (pg.29 Last Paragraph)
Ponyboy learned:
-Socs have peer pressure (pg.30-31 – Read within the lines)
- Socs have different personalities (pg.30-31 – Read within the lines – Chapter2)
- Not all girls are stuck up (pg.24-25 within lines)
- Not all Socs dislike Greasers (pg.23 Quotes of Sodapop “hes one doll”)
- Some Socs display feelings (pg.30-31)
-Socs have their own problems (pg.34 last two lines)

- Different values in life (Cp.2 Within lines, understanding)
Cherry learned that they have a lot of problems, getting jumped; they have gone through a lot of bad times like Johnny. She also learned during their fights, they fight fair. They stick together like brothers.
Ponyboy also learned some new things about the Socs. Ponyboy learned about the Socs that they also have troubles of their own. Troubles that Ponyboy hasn’t even heard of. He learned that it’s rough all around. Not just for Greasers but for Socs too.
3.
Draw a Venn diagram comparing the Greasers and The Socs
Greasers
Socs
- Less Violent
-Poor People
Not all
- Very Violent - Jump greasers violent
Both
-Rich People - Constant violent have
-Greasy Hair (long)
-Fight fair of their own -Fight rough - Sexually take adva advantage of girls
-Eastside of town
-Westside of town - Parents- Peer pressure
-Show Feelings, Different values in life.
-Hide Feelings, Different values in life
-Dress laid back
-Dress clean -. – Parents problems
-Some Greasers enjoy and like school
- Cause violence Not all Socs dislike Greasers
- Some Greasers are educated
- Some alcoholics
4.
-- - - -- ----- - -
What may Cherry have been referring to when she said “trouble of the Socs”?
Cherry may have been trying to say what problems the Socs have such as, drinking, constant fighting, and violence. Cherry was describing how the Socs are, some don’t care about girlfriends, some have a lot of pressure from parents to be a success, and some have relationship problems. Cherry was trying to say that Socs have a lot of troubles and it’s not easy to be one of us even if were rich or live in Westside.
Personal things such as getting parents respect over other siblings. Cherry was stating the problems or troubles of the Socs.
Cherry may have been referring to the following:
- Some Socs are alcoholics (cp 1-2)
-Jump Greasers (cp 1-2)
-Constant violence, fights (cp 1-2)
-Don’t care about girl friends feelings (cp 1-2)
-Sexually take advantage of girls (understanding- within lines)

-Parents- personal problems (understanding- within lines)
-Peer pressure – good school marks, to succeed (understanding- within lines)
- Relationship problems- arguments fights (understanding- within lines- cp 2.)
-Parents fight cause drunk (understanding- within lines)
-Cause violence (understanding- within lines- cp2)
5.
A) What were “fair rules” that make for a gang fight?
The fair rules of a gang fight are a list of rules of how a fair fight is.
-Only skin fighting -No roughness
-Only punching or kicking or fists - One on one fight
-Nothing except body - Must have a cause to fight
-No weapons (No pool sticks, clubs, heaters, chains)
5 B) what did “fair” mean?
Fair meant not playing or fighting rough. Only fighting using body parts and no weapons. One on one. A fair fight is called a rumble. Only use of body parts. No weapons.
-Same advantage- no one ever fought unbalanced.
-Only use body parts
-If you are in the same gang, after fight you are still friends
5 C) How were these rules established?
The rules were established based on playing and fighting fair, and not rough. The rules were established by gangs in the area (Greasers, Socs, and Sheppard)
6.
Create a web diagram for the following words: embarrass, struck dumb, hesitation, stalked, annoyed, sarcastically, vaguely, nonchalantly.
Top Left= Definition; Top Right= Sentence; Bottom Left= Synonym; Bottom Right= Antonym
Feeling self conscious
John was embarrassed of his sister on stage.
Embarrass
Discomfort, disconcert, discountenance, faze, mortify
Comfort, gladden, help, please

Become dumb, confused for a moment
Stupid, dumb
Waiting; uncertainty
Struck
Dumb
Stumbling, stuttering, unwillingness, vacillation, wavering
Hesitation
Followed, pursued, being followed
Stalked
Followed, tracked, trailed, chased, stalked
To be bothered, disturbed
John struck dumb after the hit on his head
Brainy, smart
Mike hesitated to sing poem on stage about his class
Certainty, eagerness, goes, perseverance, sureness
Dan was stalked home after school this week by someone
Leaving, left
Rumi got annoyed of people tell her to be gentle.
Annoyed
Bothered, irritated
Talking sarcastic, joking, not serious
Joking, arrogant, not serious
Happy
Sarcastically
Priyen was sarcastically talking about his marks just now.
Truthful, serious, literally

Not clearly expressed
Vaguely
Dimly, faintly, mistily, indefinitely, shadowy
Be gentle say or do softly
Nonchalantly
Soft, gentle, calm
Dan was stalked home after school this week by someone
Clear, defined, plain, simple
Rumi should nonchalantly argue with Priyen
Rough

Complications
Chapter 1:
1.
Ponyboy introduces himself.
2.
Ponyboy walks alone after movie
3.
Greasers should never walk alone
4.
Ponyboy gets jumped by the Socs.
5.
Socs threaten to cut Ponyboy’s hair (foreshadowing)
6.
Ponyboy introduces the characters (Ponyboy, Darry, Dally, Two-Bit, Sodapop, Johnny).
7.
Introduction of the gangs (Socs, Greasers, Sheppard).
8.
Introduction of the setting.
Chapter 2:
1.
Ponyboy and Johnny meet up with Dally (Dallas) and go to the Nightly Double drive-in theatre.
2.
Ponyboy, Johnny and Dally meet up with two good-looking female Socs. Cherry (Sherri) Valance and
Marcia.
3.
Dally bothers Cherry, Johnny steps in to defend her, Cherry is impressed with Johnny’s courage, but she senses something else in Johnny.
4.
Ponyboy and Cherry talk about Johnny “been hurt bad sometime”- Ponyboy retells Johnny’s beating
5.
The story of Johnny’s beating noticeably upsets Cherry. She tells Ponyboy that not all Socs are like that, just like all greasers are not like Dally. She tells him that Socs have their troubles, too, but Ponyboy cannot imagine what worries a Soc might have. Thoughts of the two gangs change between Ponyboy and Johnny.
6.
Johnny starts carrying a switch blade to protect himself after being jumped (foreshadowing)
Chapter 3:
1.
Cherry shares her beliefs on what separates the two gangs—not only money but passion as well.
2.
New friends—Pony, Johnny, Two-Bit, Cherry, and Marcia.
3.
Blue mustang – (Randy and Bob) pickup Cherry and Marcia.
4.
Ponyboy verbally attacks Johnny about his own terrible home life .
5.
Ponyboy tries to convince Johnny for both to run away.
Chapter Titles
Chapter 1: The Neighborhood Chapter 7:
Chapter 2: Realizing the Troubles Chapter 8:
Chapter 3: Following Through Chapter 9:
Chapter 4: The Situation within the Gangs Chapter 10:
Chapter 5: Chapter 11:
Chapter 6: Chapter 12:

Chapter 3 Questions
1.
Why do you think Ponyboy and Cherry told each other things they had never told anyone else before?
For the first time ever, Pony gets the chance to truly know a Socy girl. When he talks to Cherry, he learns that she likes the music of the Beatles, enjoys going to the movies, and appreciates nature.
They had told each other those things because they understand each other. They can share feelings and emotions and things which they don’t feel comfortable sharing with anyone else. As Cherry had said “first person really gotten through too” She was capable of sharing her thoughts without anyone taking it the wrong way.
Both Ponyboy and Cherry are emotional and can get through each other easily.
2.
Do the characters in this novel seem like real people so far? If so, how did the author create such believable characters? If not, why didn’t they seem to be real people?
The characters in the novel do seem real, as they have realistic feelings and characteristics based on how a person may act in that type of situation and setting. The author may have made them very believable due to the way the characters think. Based on the gangs, the characters feelings and thoughts are similar to a way a gang member would act. The characters are based on people living in a town like in the novel and how the people would react and live in the area or surroundings. The characters show how it feels to live in or be in that type of situation, rich and poor. I think the author made the characters based on real life situations the authors been through or have seen or experienced. His method truly makes the characters seem like real people. Through the characters traits, it’s all believable.
3.
How do you think Johnny felt when Ponyboy said “An” you can shut your trap, Johnny, ‘cause we all know you ain’t wanted at home, either. And you can’t blame them”? Why did Ponyboy say that?
When Johnny had heard that from Ponyboy, I think Johnny had felt unappreciated and unloved as
Ponyboy was Johnny best buddy and friend. Johnny felt unloved by anyone at that moment due to his past experiences and the fact that Ponyboy was talking about Johnny’s home and how he isn’t wanted, which is not true, made Johnny feel really sad and just unloved or wanted by anyone. He may have felt that he had lost his friend and he had nothing then. Ponyboy had said that because there was a conversation going on about home and family and during time Ponyboy was mad and angry at something and had through his anger let out words which had hurt Johnny but were accidental.
4.
Was it wise of Cherry and Marcia to leave their dates when they found them drinking? What else could they have done?
It was wise of Cherry and Marcia to leave there dates when they found them drinking because it is one of the many problems that the Socs have such as drinking. They may have wanted to prevent them and also to help defend Cherry philosophy that not all Socs are bad and drinking or violent.etc, like Bob and Randy.
Socs such as Cherry and Marcia are nice and kind.
5.
Do you think Johnny and Ponyboy would find the kind of people they wanted in the country?
I think Johnny and Ponyboy can find the kind of people they wanted in the country because not all people are the same. Some are bad and some are nice and kind. The fact that they wanted a specific kind of people because it was influenced by the current town they live in, constant fights and violence. But, even though it’s like that, they have to believe people like Cherry, there are nice and kind people outside the town, they just have to believe their town is not the boundary’s and that not all people are the same. I think it’s possible for Johnny and Ponyboy to find the kind of people they wanted in the country. They just have to believe it.

Level 3
Level 3
6.
Ponyboy thought it was plain that Darry didn’t want him around when Darry hit him. Do you agree or disagree with his thoughts?
I disagree with his thoughts because Darry have just been angry at Ponyboy for his behavior and attitude, such as coming late. Darry was just trying to help keep Ponyboy from becoming like them. He wants
Ponyboy to be successful. Darry was just angry at the moment he had hit Ponyboy because Darry cares and worries for Ponyboy. Ponyboy may have just taken it the wrong way, but Darry didn’t mean to say or express the emotion in a negative way but a positive way.
7.
Do you agree with Johnny that having friends that care for you is not the same as having your own folks care about you?
I agree, having friends that care for you is not the same as having your own folks care about you, because having friends is one thing, and having parents is another. We all have friends that care for us, but they won’t always be there. Some will and some won’t. Sooner or later they move on, it’s not the same because our folks (parents) are going to be there the most. There the people who always care for you.
They will be there when your friends move on, our parents or folks will too, but they are the people that are always going to care and will be there to care. That is the one thing that separates the similarities between the care from folks and friends.
Chapter 4 Questions
1.
On the following Diagram identify the series of complications (events) that lead to the escalation of the
“Problem” of the story.
Johnny kills Bob with his switch blade
Ponyboy awakens on the pavement gasping for air.
Johnny pulls his switchblade, but a weaponless Pony is grabbed before he knows it and shoved face first into a chilling fountain.
*Socs jumping Johnny led to Johnny’s switchblade (cp.2, 3.)
Socs arrive to harass boys at the park.
*Ponyboy and Johnny caught walking with Cherry and Marcia which led to (cp.2, 3,)
Problem: Johnny kills the "Soc" and he and Ponyboy run away. They struggle through growing up and being on their own.
One problem is how Ponyboy has to grow up without parents. Another problem is that the characters are in a gang and at war with another gang. A problem with the family that was shown in the story is that kids today may have parents that are alive, but they might not have enough time for them. Also, kids are worried about not fitting in and might join gangs to act "cooler". It also shows how if a member of a family has an injury it's tough for the family and friends. This happens when Johnny gets hurt and he did not want to see his parents. Also, it was a problem for
Ponyboy because he was worrying about him the whole time.

Level 4
Level 4
Ponyboy and Johnny try to run away from their troubles & problems
Johnny kills Bob with his switch blade (act of self defense)
Ponyboy awakens on the pavement gasping for air.
Johnny pulls his switchblade, but a weaponless Pony is grabbed before he knows it and shoved face first into a chilling fountain.
*Socs jumping Johnny led to Johnny’s switchblade (cp.2, 3.)
Socs arrive to harass boys at the park.
*Ponyboy and Johnny caught walking with Cherry and Marcia which led to (cp.2, 3,)
Problem: Johnny kills the "Soc" and he and Ponyboy run away. They struggle through growing up and being on their own. Ponyboy and Johnny try to run away from their troubles & problems
2.
In your viewpoint, by the end of chapter 4, what is the “Problem of the Story”
The problem of the story is that Johnny kills the "Soc"(Bob) and he and Ponyboy run away. They struggle through growing up and being on their own. They have to run away out of town.
3.
Was anyone right or wrong in that they did in this situation?
The Socs were wrong and Johnny was right. The Socs (Randy, & Bob) were drunk, they have no cause for demonize for a bunch of greasers. Even though Johnny killed and committed a murder, what Johnny did was an act of self defense to protect both him and Ponyboy.
4.
How do you think the Socs felt after Bob was stabbed?
Because of Bob’s death, a state of open warfare exists between the greasers and the Socs, who are infuriated about Bob's death. They feel infuriated. For Socs like Cherry, it’s anger and fear and sadness.
5.
On the following trait organizers; list the 4 most important character traits of: Darry, Ponyboy, Dally, and Johnny. In the oval section of the graphic organizer, list the way(s) in which the 2 characters are alike.
A) Compare the characteristics listed on this chart with the ones on the attribute webs after Chapter 1, are the traits the same? If there are differences, why does it occur?
The differences of the traits are due to how the novel and the plot develop. The attribute web traits are based on information given in Chapter 1, but as the plot develops (chapter 2, 3, 4 etc) more information on the characters are revealed and we can add more traits. As it develops, more traits are shown.

Chapter Notes
Chapter 1: The main theme of The Outsiders is the effect of social class on young people, and the first section of the novel immediately begins exploring the differences between the greasers and the Socs, while sketching the violent world in which they live. The Socs who jump Ponyboy in the opening chapter merely foreshadow the far more violent conflicts to occur later in the novel, but they help to define the world of the novel in the reader's mind as the story opens. From the beginning, the author is far more interested in a sympathetic human portrayal of her characters than she is in taking sides between them or casting blame. Though the greasers--the "outsiders" of the novel's title, because they are excluded from mainstream society-look tough and violent, inwardly they are just as human as the clean-cut Socs.
Chapter 2: This chapter introduces the importance of perspective. The lament that life isn’t fair runs throughout this chapter, but now a Soc also brings it forth. Cherry Valance represents the perfect life to Ponyboy. She is a good-looking cheerleader, but she states that the Socs have troubles, too. Her life appears perfect to an outsider looking in, but that apparently is not the case.
Chapter 3: Ponyboy’s character grows as his perspective changes, and he realizes the many similarities that he and Cherry share. Cherry asks whether he watches sunsets, and Ponyboy answers that he does. She admits that she enjoys watching them, but that she hasn’t had much time for it lately. A sunset, which they both can watch from their respective homes, represents their outlooks on life.
Chapter 4: Chapter 4 contains one of the novel’s primary climaxes, the decisive turning point to which many of the preceding chapters’ foreshadowing alludes. When he kills Bob, Johnny loses the look of a wild animal caught in a trap and instead he
“looked as cool as Darry ever had.” By killing Bob, Johnny takes control of his life in the only way that he thinks is possible. This single action starts a series of events that leads Ponyboy on a path of self-examination, characterized by his statement, “There are things worse than being a greaser.”