1. The Outsiders
Useful Things to Know

2. Evaluate Your Evidence
Each column contains the information required.
Character traits are personality traits. Use your own words, not the author’s.
Circle the 2 most important traits for each character. See if there is evidence to support them
“Textual evidence” (p. #) – precisely accurate
Evidence must connect to traits. Draw an arrow from the specific piece of evidence to the trait it reveals.
If there is anything you would do differently given another chance on this assignment, explain what it is on the back of the chart.

3. Chapters 1 and 2 Trivia What is Cherry’s last name?
What side of town are the Socs from?
When did Dally first get arrested?
What are the two types of cars that the Socs usually drive?
What does the gang sometimes call Johnny?
What is Cherry’s real first name?
Is Johnny younger or older than Ponyboy?
What is the Greasers’ slang term for jail?
What is the name of the shirts the Socs wear?

4. Chapters 1 - 3 What is the equivalent of a “fence” in The Outsiders?
2. On pages 40 and 46, find the symbol that can unite the two groups. Who introduces the symbol and why is it important to notice this person?
3. Brainstorm some significant qualities of this symbol.

5. Chapters 1 - 3 What is the equivalent of a “fence” in The Outsiders?
The economic divide separates the “haves” from the “have nots” in society. Separation of groups in The Outsiders isn’t restricted to economics, but that is often where it starts.
From economics, find a power dichotomy.
2. On pages 40 and 46, find the symbol that can unite the two groups.

6. dichotomy according to Merriam-Webster
A division into two especially mutually exclusive or contradictory groups or entities
-- the dichotomy between theory and practice
also: the process or practice of making such a division
-- dichotomy of the population into two opposed classes

7. Qualities of a Sunset beautiful relaxing warm special
marks the end of something
Cherry introduces the symbol of the sunset. Since she is the only strong female character, we need to watch her carefully.

8. Connect each symbol to one of the 4 universal themes from this year
Connect each symbol to one of the 4 universal themes from this year. Clearly explain the connection using text-based analysis.
sunset - rings -

9. Flashback
an interjected scene, interrupting the forward/linear motion of the plotline and taking the reader back into the events of the past for a specific reason that has bearing on the current situation Flashback is not simply a recounting or summarizing of events from the past.

10. “He had been hunting our football to practice a few kicks when a blue Mustang had pulled up beside the lot. There were four Socs in it. They had caught him and one of them had a lot of rings on his hand – that’s what had cut Johnny up so badly.” (33)

11. What do the rings tell about the incident?
Inferences:
Johnny likes football.
Since the rings cut Johnny’s face and there was only one guy wearing lots of rings, the guy with the rings is the primary antagonist.
The rings would have cost money; ergo the Soc with the rings had both money and the inclination to flaunt it.
The rings are used as a weapon to beat others down.

12. What do the rings tell about the incident?
Inferences: 5. Since Johnny was alone and the Mustang pulled up near him w/ no other cars around, he may have first been startled by the noise. 6. There are 4 Socs and one greaser; therefore, the Socs don’t worry about fighting fair. 7. Since the Socs caught him, he must have been trying to run away.

13. 2. What feeling or mood does this flashback add to the danger that Johnny and Ponyboy are in outside the drive-in?

14. 3. How does Cherry alter the mood at this point in the plotline?

15. 4. What does the flashback reveal about gang life?

16. Use textual evidence and your own analysis to support your response:
Explain the probable influence of the economic divide on the dynamics among the Socs and among the greasers within their own groups.
Explain the probable influence of the economic divide between the Socs and the greasers.
Is the influence of economics on the relationships between Socs and greasers total or partial? Explain.

17. Use textual evidence and your own analysis to support your response:
1. Explain the probable influence of the economic divide on the dynamics among the Socs and among the greasers within their own groups.

18. Use textual evidence and your own analysis to support your response:
2. Explain the probable influence of the economic divide between the Socs and the greasers.

19. Use textual evidence and your own analysis to support your response:
3. Is the influence of economics on the relationships between Socs and greasers total or partial? Explain.

20. Use textual evidence and your own analysis to support your response:
4. How does the economic divide create a dichotomy in power? How does the group with less power seek to grab some of it back? 5. What role does Cherry Valance play in the dynamics between the two groups? Why do we need to watch her carefully?

21. “I saw Johnny’s cigarette glowing in the dark and wondered vaguely what it was like inside a burning ember…” (47)
“I’ve been thinking about it, and that poem, that guy that wrote it, he meant you’re gold when you’re a kid, like green.” (178)