[chapter 9]

1. Q: On the bottom of p.133, when Pony asks what kind of a world it is, what comment is he making about how society judges people?
A: The comment he is making about society and how it judges people when he asked what kind of a world it is, is that Pony isn’t even the way he described and that he isn’t proud of his reputation of being a hood and his greasy hair. He just trained himself to feel this way because everyone around him thinks of the Greasers like that. So what kind of a world is it if society judges people to the extent that they feel that is the way they are?

2. Q: Why do the boys fight? Why is Pony different?
A: The boys fight all for different reasons. Soda fights for fun because its action and competitive like drag races or a dance. Steve fights for hatred because he likes the satisfaction of beating up the Socs and hurting them really good. Darry fights for pride because he likes to show off his muscles and feel strong and tough. Two-bit fights for conformity and just because everyone does. Pony fights only if he has to for his own self defence.

3. Q: What is the difference between Tim Sheppard's gang and Ponyboy's? Explain how Pony feels this difference might give his group the upper hand?
A: The difference between Tim Sheppard’s gang and Ponyboy’s is that Tim Sheppard’s gang has a leader and a bunch of followers. They were organized, acted more tougher and will end up as local convicts. Pony’s gang is a bunch of buddies who stick together. They are realer and can have futures. Ponyboy feels that this difference gives his gang the upper hand because they don’t have to take orders from others to survive on their own. They’re quicker to think and individual leaders who can make it on their own.

4. Q: What do you think Johnny's last words to Pony mean?
A: I think Johnny’s last word meant to Pony a lot. It meant that Johnny feels that Pony is at the perfection of gold. His wholeness and goodness was different and better then any others. He was a really good person that is hard to come by, just really special and rare like gold. Johnny loves Pony so much and just wants him to stay exactly the was he is, golden. Also, just like the poem that was found in "Gone with the wind" it said that things don't always stay gold but Johnny believed in Pony that he can and will always stay gold.