Honors English 7
Socratic Seminar Questions
Text: S.E. Hinton’s novel The Outsiders
(all chapters)
Level 1
1. What are the differences between the greasers and the Socs?
a. clothing
b. transportation
c. hairstyles
d. reputation in the community
e. sides of town
f. music
g. families
h. What does Cherry conclude is the greatest difference between the
two after her discussion with Ponyboy in Chapter 3? (Hint: it’s not
money.)
i. What are some examples of this on the greaser side? On the
Soc side?
Remember to back up your answers with
evidence and page-number citations!
Level 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
How does S.E. Hinton develop Soda’s character throughout the novel?
How does Hinton develop Darry’s character throughout the novel?
How does Hinton develop Cherry’s character throughout the novel?
How does Hinton develop Bob’s character throughout the novel?
How does Hinton develop Johnny’s character throughout the novel?
How does Hinton develop Dally’s character throughout the novel?
Does Hinton mostly use direct or indirect characterization?
Remember to back up your answers with
evidence and page-number citations!
Level 3
1. Can Hinton’s indirect characterization be trusted? (That is, do the
characters actions always support Hinton’s/Ponyboy’s claims?)
2. What seems to be the novel’s message about innocence?
a. What are all the different symbols of innocence?
b. What are some ways that the characters seem to act that are not
“innocent” or age-appropriate?
c. Which characters have definitely lost their innocence?
d. How do we know that Johnny was still “gold” to the end of his life?
e. Is Ponyboy still “gold” at the end?
3. What seems to be the novel’s message about arts, literature, and
education? How do they affect our lives, according to Hinton/Ponyboy?
a. What characters seem to like arts, literature, reflecting on their
lives, and education? Which don’t? Are there any surprises?
b. Does Hinton/Ponyboy believe that all people are equal, or that
some people are “special”?
c. Do the characters that do well at school or who like school the
same characters who “dig” art/literature/thinking deep thoughts?
Remember to back up your answers with
evidence and page-number citations!
What can I do in a seminar?
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Propose questions (“Lucia’s and Alan’s debate makes me wonder about…”)
Propose answers (“I think the answer to Gerry’s question is right here on page…”)
Propose interpretations (“We’ve been talking as those the two characters never met
before. But if we assume they already knew each other, and then re-read their
conversation…”)
Propose a new way to discuss (“I think we are all remembering it differently. We should
try not making any more comments until we’ve all taken a moment to re-read pages 4
and 5.”)
Propose connections (“This reminds me of that story we all read back in December…”)
Show the group outside evidence that you brought in to share (“I looked up the author
last night and found this interview. Here’s a copy I printed out. It turns out that he also
spent time in that same prison in his own life…”)
Ask someone else to clarify what they already said or ask someone for more information
(“Marcia, I don’t understand why you think that part is so important. Can you explain
your evidence again for why you think that the ghost is all in her head?”)
Pause to re-read the text, hunting for a clue or generating a new idea (Short pauses and
even long silences are a good sign in a Socratic Seminar…)