The Outsiders
Hinton, S. E.
Readability: 8
Setting: New York
Age of Main Character: 13-14

"Ponyboy walked slowly home from the movies, thinking of Paul Newman and wishing for a ride. All too suddenly a ride appeared -- a red Corvair filled with five "Socs" looking for trouble.

Ponyboy wanted to run, but "greasers" didn't run, even when outnumbered. As he stood there, the five circled Pony and said, "Hey grease, we're gonna do you a favor. We're gonna cut all that long, greasy hair off." The silver knife shone in the moonlight, and Ponyboy backed up into another "Soc" that smelled like English Leather and stale tobacco. Pony wondered if he'd suffocate before they did anything."

This is a story of two groups of boys, "The Socs" and "The Greasers" living in New York, who had one aim in life: to harass each other.

The harassment meant gang fights or "rumbles", stealing, dragging the streets looking for fights, foul language, smoking cigarettes, and avoiding the police.

Ponyboy, a thirteen-year-old "greaser', tells the story of how life was as a "greaser" who lived with his two older brothers since both his parents had been killed. Pony experiences school success, athletic success, fear of the "Socs", gang fights, many beatings, the deaths of three friends, and fear of being blamed for a murder.

Pony pulls through a courageous fire rescue and decides to stay "gold" like his friend, Johnny, had wanted. He and his brothers pull together and come to a family understanding with each other.

Questions:

1. What is the main idea in the story?


2. What were the two groups of boys called that constantly fought each other?


3. Why didn't Pony fit all the characteristics of a "greaser"?


4. Why did Pony, Johnny, and Dally feel they should save the children caught in the burning old church?


5. What did Johnny mean when he wrote that he hoped Ponyboy would remain "gold"?