Test on Friday 10/25
Study these key terms, plot points, characters, and ideas for your test this Friday.
Characters:
Be able to identify each of these characters, their role in the novel, their personality and/or physical traits, and whether or
not they are static or dynamic characters.
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Ponyboy Curtis
Sodapop Curtis
Darry Curtis
Steve Randle
Two-Bit Matthews
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Dallas Winston
Johnny Cade
Sandy
Cherry Valance
Marcia
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Bob Sheldon
Randy Adderson
Paul Holden
Jerry Wood
Tim Shepard
Key Questions/Plot:
Be able to identify key plot points (the plot mountain) in The Outsiders and answer these key questions.
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What two groups of teenagers does Ponyboy describe? Compare the two groups.
Compare and contrast Ponyboy’s two brothers.
What types of rules do the Greasers abide by in fights and with their members? (think about what Two-Bit says to
Cherry & Marcia when Dallas is caught slashing Tim Shepard’s tires)
Why did the Socs beat up Ponyboy?
Why did Ponyboy have a hard time with his oldest brother?
Why did Sodapop drop out of school?
What happened to Ponyboy’s parents?
What types of things embarrass Ponyboy?
What is Ponyboy’s one real flaw? (you have to use your head for this one)
Describe Johnny’s past.
Describe what happened leading up to, during, and after the incident at the fountain.
Why would Ponyboy and Johnny ask Dally to help them after killing Bob?
Analyze why Robert Frost’s poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay” is quoted by Ponyboy while he and Johnny are
watching a sunrise in Windrixville.
Several times the author describes characters’ eyes. Cherry’s eyes are green. Johnny’s eyes are round and black.
Ponyboy’s eyes are greyish green, but he wishes they were _______________. Darry’s eyes are described as icy
blue, or sometimes “frozen ice.” What could this imply about his personality?
Why did Ponyboy and Johnny save the kids in the church?
What was the only thing Bob ever wanted and why would it have saved him from getting killed?
Why did Randy believe the big rumble wouldn’t solve anything?
What is Cherry Valance’s role in the novel and why does she say “things are rough all over?”
How do Johnny’s parents react to Bob’s killing and Johnny’s hospitalization?
Compare and contrast the reasons the members of the Greaser gang like fighting.
Describe the big rumble between the Greasers and the Socs.
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Who kills Dally and why did he put himself in that situation?
Which one died gallant, Johnny or Dally?
Compare and contrast Ponyboy’s outlook on life/attitude before and after Johnny’s death.
Why did Ponyboy convince himself that he had killed Bob?
How does Ponyboy and Darry’s relationship make Sodapop feel?
How does Ponyboy really feel about being a Greaser?
What was Ponyboy’s theme paper about?
Key Ideas & Background:
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Who is the narrator of The Outsiders?
What is the setting of The Outsiders?
Who wrote it and what age was he/she when it was published?
What historical events occurred during the time period in which this novel was written?
Identify key slang words from the time period and what they mean. Examples include: tuff, fuzz, heater, broad,
cooler, etc.
Identify the types of conflict found in The Outsiders: Man vs. Man, Man vs. Nature, Man vs. Society, and Man vs.
Self.
What was the climax of The Outsiders?
What did Johnny mean by “Stay gold, Ponyboy”?
What is the theme of The Outsiders? Why would the author write this novel? What message is he/she trying to
send to his/her readers?
Quotes:
Be able to identify which characters uttered these important quotes.
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“That’s what you get for helpin’ people. Editorials in the paper and a lot of trouble…You’d better wise up,
Pony…you get tough like me and you don’t get hurt. You look out for yourself and nothin’ can touch you.”
"It's not just money...We're sophisticated to the point of not feeling anything. Nothing is real with us."
"I wouldn't mind it so much if there wasn't so much stuff I ain't done yet and so many things I ain't seen. It's not
fair."
“Greasers will still be greasers and Socs will still be Socs. Sometimes I think it’s the ones in the middle that are
really the lucky stiffs.”
“Our one rule, besides stick together, is don‘t get caught.”
“I‘ll bet you think the Socs have it made. The rich kids, the West-side Socs. I‘ll tell you something, Ponyboy, and it
may come as a surprise. WE have troubles you‘ve never even heard of. You want to know something? . . . Things
are rough all over.”
“There sure is a lot of blood in people.”
“When you have money, the whole world hates you.” “No, you hate the whole world.”
READ ME: We will review for the test on Thursday with a game. Be sure to write down key questions and
concepts in your notebook as they might be the same questions you will see on the test.
Need help studying? Didn’t quite understand a topic/concept? www.sparknotes.com is a great
help when studying for a test. You can also schedule time to come talk to me during my planning period (6th
hour) or tutorial before Friday. I would love to help you study.