Reading Log Chapters 9-12 in The Outsiders

The Outsiders 
Reading Log Chapters 9-12
Due Tuesday, October 14th, 2014

1. Using bullet points, outline the sequence of events at the rumble and then at the hospital. (Include 4 or 5 events.)



2. Analyze Ponyboy’s parenthetical comments: “What kind of world is it where all I have to be proud of is a reputation for being a hood, and greasy hair? I don’t want to be a hood, but even if I don’t steal things and mug people…I’m marked lousy. Why should I be proud of it? Why should I even pretend to be proud of it?”




3. Why do you think Ponyboy is determined to fight in the rumble?




4. What does Jonny mean when he says “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold” (148).




5. How does the mood change throughout chapter nine?


6. How would you describe Dally and Johnny’s relationship? Why would Dally choose to die rather than live without Johnny?



7. How does Dally die?




8. Explain Ponyboy’s statement: “Dally didn’t die a hero. He did violent and young and desperate… But Johnny was right. He died gallant” (154). Do you agree with Ponyboy’s statement?




9. Why would Ponyboy rather have bob’s parents hate than their pity. (Examine the passage on 162 with the term “pity-the-victims-of-environment”)




10. Explain the significance of Randy’s concern upon learning that Ponyboys’ parents are dead and that Ponyboy might be sent to a foster home.



11. How does the doctor’s conversation with the judge before the court hearing affect the proceedings. What do you think the doctor might have told the judge?




12. Ponyboy is proud of Darry and Soda for confirming to the judge that Dally was a “real good buddy of [theirs]” (168). What is risky about Darry and Soda’s testimony?




13. What does Darry mean when he says, “you don’t just stop living because you lose someone” (173)?



14. Analyze Soda’s assertion, “If you don’t have anything, you end up like Dallas…and I don’t mean dead, either. I mean like he was before. And that’s worse than dead” (176)?




15. How does finding Johnny’s letter help Ponyboy to recuperate?




16. Explain the significance of the first line of Ponyboy’s English paper.