1. Q: What 'circumstances' do Ponyboy's teacher refers to? What circumstances does Ponyboy think his teacher is referring to?
A: The 'circumstances' that Ponyboy's teacher refers to is that everything that he had been through. Pony’s teacher can see all that this 14 year old boy has seen and was involved with and really feels for him. The circumstances that he thinks his teacher is referring to is that since he’s previously been in a lot of trouble that school is now a joke and that Pony’s just goofing off.
2. Q: Why doesn't Ponyboy feel scared when the Socs approach him and he threatens them with a broken bottle (p.170-171)? How is this a dramatic change from the Ponyboy we have seen up until this point?
A: Ponyboy doesn’t feel scared when the Socs approach him because of all the dreadful things that had happened directed off the Socs, he feels that’s its just enough. He feels nothing, nothing for the Socs, he didn’t want to waste one bit of emotion on them and was sick of their existence. He had zero tolerance for any of the stunts they were going to pull, there fore he threatened them with a broken bottle. This is a dramatic change from the Ponyboy we have seem because normally he would have been scared and anxious of what the Socs were going to do to them and be waiting back and worried about what was going to happen next. Instead he took action, he was the leader and he made the first move. He handled the situation with no hesitation. Before he didn’t have a weapon nor the guts to step forward and take charge and now, its much different.
3. Q: What does Darry mean when he says, "you don't just stop living because you lose someone" (p.173)?
A: When Darry says, "you don't just stop living because you lose someone" he means that just because someone you know and care about dies, it doesn’t mean your dead to. It doesn’t mean that you stop your daily routines, give up and stop trying. Life is just way to short for you to let it pass you by and you need to embrace what is good and keep those who are gone in your heart. You have to carry on and keep yourself ‘alive’ or you’ll just end up like that other person.
4. Q: How do we know Sandy didn't love Soda as much as he loved her?
A: We know that Sandy didn’t love Soda as much as he loved her because when she left to Florida she didn’t think twice about Soda and worry about not seeing him again. He took it very badly and missed her very much. He wanted to marry her and spend the rest of her life with her. She doesn’t love him very much since she just sent back the letter that Soda sent her unopened. He had poured his heart and soul into that letter and the showed the most love he had ever expressed in his life. So she didn’t really care for Soda and wasn’t interested in giving her heart to him if she couldn’t even spend the time to read his letter.
5. Q: Explain how Darry and Ponyboy play tug of war with Soda.
A: Darry and Ponyboy play tug of war with Soda by fighting with each other causing him to be caught up in the middle. He can’t stand to see them argue with each other and an even worse feeling when he has undergo the choosing of sides. Soda loves both of his brothers very much and doesn’t want to choose between the two. He feels himself being stuck in-between the two constantly pulling one side then to the other.
6. Q: What do we learn was so special about Johnny (p.178)?
A: We learned about Johnny that he was special, very rare and hard to come by. Along with all the problems of his own he doesn’t complain. He not criticized his own problems and complained about them. Instead he was a guy who will really listen to you and care about your problems and what you are saying. To be like this and have this quality makes Johnny truly rare.
7. Q: What does Ponyboy end up doing for his English assignment?
A: After a couple considerations for his English assignment he decides to do it “novel style” on his life from where everything all started to happen. And it turns out at the end of this novel you realize that this story is his English assignment. He begins the assignment as this book “the outsiders” begins.
Monday, May 14, 2007
[chapter 11]
Vocabulary
acquitted – to relieve from a charge of fault or crime; declare not guilty
The young girl who was framed was acquitted from the crime and justice was brought to the accurate criminal.
1. Q: Explain why Pony might rather have anyone's hate than their pity (p.162)?
Pony rather have someone’s hate than pity because when someone pity’s you it makes you feel inferior and lose you dignity to the cause. But when you are hated it makes you only stronger and makes you try to gain the other person respect.
2. Q: What do you think is going on with Ponyboy when he says, "Johnny didn't have anything to do with Bob's getting killed" (p.166)?
A: I think that it was part of a delusion. And that was the point, because over top of this huge mess and Johnny’s death, he’s a killer. Pony didn’t want to remember his buddy as a killer and this was just karma or a theory like that. But on the other hand I don’t think it was really Johnny acting out on Bob. It was the fear and paranoia of history repeating itself. I think Johnny was in a little bit of a trance because Johnny is the type of person who wouldn’t harm anyone. He was a genuine, endearing soul who was just like a puppy-dog who had been kicked around too much. So, it wasn’t really him who did the killing.
acquitted – to relieve from a charge of fault or crime; declare not guilty
The young girl who was framed was acquitted from the crime and justice was brought to the accurate criminal.
1. Q: Explain why Pony might rather have anyone's hate than their pity (p.162)?
Pony rather have someone’s hate than pity because when someone pity’s you it makes you feel inferior and lose you dignity to the cause. But when you are hated it makes you only stronger and makes you try to gain the other person respect.
2. Q: What do you think is going on with Ponyboy when he says, "Johnny didn't have anything to do with Bob's getting killed" (p.166)?
A: I think that it was part of a delusion. And that was the point, because over top of this huge mess and Johnny’s death, he’s a killer. Pony didn’t want to remember his buddy as a killer and this was just karma or a theory like that. But on the other hand I don’t think it was really Johnny acting out on Bob. It was the fear and paranoia of history repeating itself. I think Johnny was in a little bit of a trance because Johnny is the type of person who wouldn’t harm anyone. He was a genuine, endearing soul who was just like a puppy-dog who had been kicked around too much. So, it wasn’t really him who did the killing.
[chapter 10]
Vocabulary
indignantly - expressing strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting
When Jamie wasn’t played on the starting line up he indignantly walked away from the baseball stadium and headed home.
1. Q: How does Pony's dreaming, or lying to himself, finally work in this chapter?
A: Pony’s dreaming, or lying to himself, finally works in this chapter because Johnny, his good friend, was dead and he had to convince himself otherwise; that he is still alive. This was one of the most traumatizing things that had occurred in Pony’s life and he needed to ease the pain. The only way in doing so would to make it seem so realistic that he was alive.
2. Q: Why was Johnny's dying so difficult for Dally to handle?
A: Johnny’s death was so difficult for Dally to handle because he was the one thing he loved. After all his better cold harsh and long days he realized he very much loved Johnny. But who couldn’t love him? He kept love in Dally’s life, which kept him to remain alive.
3. Q: Why do you think Dally would have wanted to die?
A: I think Dally would have wanted to die because it was hard for him to handle all what was occurring. Between his whole life of running, behind bars, fighting or just being bitter and cold and now the one thing he came around to love and his final realization of that was gone. He probably felt there would be no one else like Johnny, which meant nothing else to love. And what was the point of living if there’s no love?
indignantly - expressing strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting
When Jamie wasn’t played on the starting line up he indignantly walked away from the baseball stadium and headed home.
1. Q: How does Pony's dreaming, or lying to himself, finally work in this chapter?
A: Pony’s dreaming, or lying to himself, finally works in this chapter because Johnny, his good friend, was dead and he had to convince himself otherwise; that he is still alive. This was one of the most traumatizing things that had occurred in Pony’s life and he needed to ease the pain. The only way in doing so would to make it seem so realistic that he was alive.
2. Q: Why was Johnny's dying so difficult for Dally to handle?
A: Johnny’s death was so difficult for Dally to handle because he was the one thing he loved. After all his better cold harsh and long days he realized he very much loved Johnny. But who couldn’t love him? He kept love in Dally’s life, which kept him to remain alive.
3. Q: Why do you think Dally would have wanted to die?
A: I think Dally would have wanted to die because it was hard for him to handle all what was occurring. Between his whole life of running, behind bars, fighting or just being bitter and cold and now the one thing he came around to love and his final realization of that was gone. He probably felt there would be no one else like Johnny, which meant nothing else to love. And what was the point of living if there’s no love?
[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.
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.
[chapter 8]
1. Q: How does what the doctor first says, on page 119, foreshadow Johnny's condition?
A: The way the doctor first says about Johnny foreshadows his condition by first being very strict about even a glimpse of their friend Johnny. But then the doctor demanded them to see Johnny and said “it can’t hurt now” to the nurse, meaning he’s not doing well and close to death to let them see him in his last hours.
2. Q: "We needed Johnny as much as he needed the gang. And for the same reason" (p.121). What do you think Pony means, and what is the reason?
A: I think that Ponyboy means that Johnny makes the whole gang complete. They weren’t just a group of friends, they were a family. A family that’s like a puzzle. Without Johnny a piece of that whole unit would be missing. The same reason is, even though Johnny actually didn’t have a family, he only had the gang to fall back on and care about him. Everyone had this same reason to be in the gang and dependant on them, because they were lacking parts of their family and could find them in this one. Dally, because his family was in New York. Darry, Soda and Pony, their parents died in a car reck. And two-bit and Steve for other personal reasoning.
3. Q: What does Pony mean on p. 123 when he says, "we could get along without anyone but Johnny"?
A: When Pony says "we could get along without anyone but Johnny", he means that they would be fine if anyone else were to pass because they’ve all had pretty good lives if you really look at it. But nothing was ever good for Johnny and they wanted to see the most out of him in the future. They wanted him to succeed and be happy and be free from his for once in his life. To see him pass living the life he has would just be horrible.
4. Q: If Darry didn't have Soda and Pony, why would he be a soc?
A: Darry would be a Soc if he didn’t have Soda or Pony because when he was in high school, he was pretty popular. He was smart, wore clothes like Socs, has a hair cut like them, is charming and leader on his football team. He would fit in right with them. But he remained with his brothers because they are family and wanted to be able to protect them and be with them. And to do so, he would have to be like them. He feels he is responsable for them which is why he works and didn't go to college.
5. Q: What does Cherry mean when she says Bob "wasn't just anyone" on p.129?
A: Cherry meant when he said Bob "wasn't just anyone" that he was special. He was different and that what she really liked about him. He wasn’t like any other boy, he was Bob. Someone she truly loved and cared for and nothing could change that. It was even very difficult to see his killer, even though it wasn’t his fault and he was in critical condition.
A: The way the doctor first says about Johnny foreshadows his condition by first being very strict about even a glimpse of their friend Johnny. But then the doctor demanded them to see Johnny and said “it can’t hurt now” to the nurse, meaning he’s not doing well and close to death to let them see him in his last hours.
2. Q: "We needed Johnny as much as he needed the gang. And for the same reason" (p.121). What do you think Pony means, and what is the reason?
A: I think that Ponyboy means that Johnny makes the whole gang complete. They weren’t just a group of friends, they were a family. A family that’s like a puzzle. Without Johnny a piece of that whole unit would be missing. The same reason is, even though Johnny actually didn’t have a family, he only had the gang to fall back on and care about him. Everyone had this same reason to be in the gang and dependant on them, because they were lacking parts of their family and could find them in this one. Dally, because his family was in New York. Darry, Soda and Pony, their parents died in a car reck. And two-bit and Steve for other personal reasoning.
3. Q: What does Pony mean on p. 123 when he says, "we could get along without anyone but Johnny"?
A: When Pony says "we could get along without anyone but Johnny", he means that they would be fine if anyone else were to pass because they’ve all had pretty good lives if you really look at it. But nothing was ever good for Johnny and they wanted to see the most out of him in the future. They wanted him to succeed and be happy and be free from his for once in his life. To see him pass living the life he has would just be horrible.
4. Q: If Darry didn't have Soda and Pony, why would he be a soc?
A: Darry would be a Soc if he didn’t have Soda or Pony because when he was in high school, he was pretty popular. He was smart, wore clothes like Socs, has a hair cut like them, is charming and leader on his football team. He would fit in right with them. But he remained with his brothers because they are family and wanted to be able to protect them and be with them. And to do so, he would have to be like them. He feels he is responsable for them which is why he works and didn't go to college.
5. Q: What does Cherry mean when she says Bob "wasn't just anyone" on p.129?
A: Cherry meant when he said Bob "wasn't just anyone" that he was special. He was different and that what she really liked about him. He wasn’t like any other boy, he was Bob. Someone she truly loved and cared for and nothing could change that. It was even very difficult to see his killer, even though it wasn’t his fault and he was in critical condition.
Monday, April 30, 2007
[chapter 7]
1. Q: Explain what Pony means when he says Soda "reminds me of a colt" on p. 101.
A: When Pony said Soda "reminds me of a colt" he meant that a colt is a very sharp, tough looking horse with long legs which resembles Soda. He gets his nose into everything and radiates just as a colt does.
2. Q: What condition is Johnny in after the fire?
A: After the fire Johnny is in critical condition. A piece of timber fell on his back a broke it, was in severe shock and was suffering from third degree burns. He was in much worse condition then Ponyboy and there was always an “if” factor if he were to survive this trauma.
3. Q: Why would being crippled be worse for Johnny than someone else?
A: Being crippled would be worse for Johnny then someone else because he has a very sensitive and week personality. It would be harder for Johnny then anyone else to get through this since he is always paranoid and scared all the time. Plus he doesn’t have any family members to care for him other then the gang, which might make him feel out of place. He has already been through so much and this just makes things much more difficult.
4. Q: "Maybe people are younger when they are asleep" (p.104). what do you think about this comment?
A: I think that the comment “Maybe people are younger when they are asleep” means when people are sleeping they are so still and silent they seem so innocent. When you are innocent you are usually younger and don’t know a lot about the real world. So this would cause people to look younger.
5. Q: What is a juvenile delinquent (p. 107)? Find a definition on the internet, in a dictionary, or create your own based on your own knowledge.
A: A juvenile delinquent is a minor who cannot be controlled by parental authority and commits antisocial or criminal acts, as vandalism or violence.
6. Q: Why would Two-Bit think Johnny, Dally, and Pony were heroes all along; before they saved the kids?
A: Two-Bit thinks Johnny, Dally, and Pony were heroes all along; before they saved the kids because they managed to defend themselves against and defeat the Socs like no one ever before. They kept this whole thing secretive. Not only did the fuzz not know where they were but their family and the gang didn’t also with the exception of Dally.
7. Q: What was Bob's 'real' problem, according to Randy (p.116)?
A: Bob’s “real” problem according to Randy was that he was too spoiled that he felt he could do what ever he wanted. His parents never had any order in his house and he was always looking for something to do that would make them mad and create some discipline. Bob wanted to be disciplined and his parents to say no for once so badly and that was his real problem.
8. Q: Why did Pony think it was better to see Socs as "just guys" on p. 118? What do you think he means by this?
A: I think Pony thinks it was better to see the Socs as “just guys” because then you could talk to them and hang out without judgment or be stereotypical. I think he means that right away when you here “Socs” that you assume a bad person behind that name. But hearing just another guy you rather get to know them and talk to them with no problems involved.
A: When Pony said Soda "reminds me of a colt" he meant that a colt is a very sharp, tough looking horse with long legs which resembles Soda. He gets his nose into everything and radiates just as a colt does.
2. Q: What condition is Johnny in after the fire?
A: After the fire Johnny is in critical condition. A piece of timber fell on his back a broke it, was in severe shock and was suffering from third degree burns. He was in much worse condition then Ponyboy and there was always an “if” factor if he were to survive this trauma.
3. Q: Why would being crippled be worse for Johnny than someone else?
A: Being crippled would be worse for Johnny then someone else because he has a very sensitive and week personality. It would be harder for Johnny then anyone else to get through this since he is always paranoid and scared all the time. Plus he doesn’t have any family members to care for him other then the gang, which might make him feel out of place. He has already been through so much and this just makes things much more difficult.
4. Q: "Maybe people are younger when they are asleep" (p.104). what do you think about this comment?
A: I think that the comment “Maybe people are younger when they are asleep” means when people are sleeping they are so still and silent they seem so innocent. When you are innocent you are usually younger and don’t know a lot about the real world. So this would cause people to look younger.
5. Q: What is a juvenile delinquent (p. 107)? Find a definition on the internet, in a dictionary, or create your own based on your own knowledge.
A: A juvenile delinquent is a minor who cannot be controlled by parental authority and commits antisocial or criminal acts, as vandalism or violence.
6. Q: Why would Two-Bit think Johnny, Dally, and Pony were heroes all along; before they saved the kids?
A: Two-Bit thinks Johnny, Dally, and Pony were heroes all along; before they saved the kids because they managed to defend themselves against and defeat the Socs like no one ever before. They kept this whole thing secretive. Not only did the fuzz not know where they were but their family and the gang didn’t also with the exception of Dally.
7. Q: What was Bob's 'real' problem, according to Randy (p.116)?
A: Bob’s “real” problem according to Randy was that he was too spoiled that he felt he could do what ever he wanted. His parents never had any order in his house and he was always looking for something to do that would make them mad and create some discipline. Bob wanted to be disciplined and his parents to say no for once so badly and that was his real problem.
8. Q: Why did Pony think it was better to see Socs as "just guys" on p. 118? What do you think he means by this?
A: I think Pony thinks it was better to see the Socs as “just guys” because then you could talk to them and hang out without judgment or be stereotypical. I think he means that right away when you here “Socs” that you assume a bad person behind that name. But hearing just another guy you rather get to know them and talk to them with no problems involved.
[chapter 6]
Vocabulary
bewildered - confused or befuddled, especially with a lot of conflicting situations, objects, or statements
As the lady in blue explained the instructions for that day of work, Bernice was bewildered because it was like nothing she had done before.
---------------------------------------------------------
1. Q: Do you think Dally's parents have influenced the way he is; his personality? Explain.
A: Yes, I do think that Dally’s parents have influenced the way he is and his personality. I think this because they didn’t care much about him, what he did or what happened to him. They basically had let him run wild, so growing up with no discipline defiantly made him feel like he could do anything and get away with it. Also, he isn’t dependent on anyone because earlier on he couldn’t depend on his parents.
2. Q: Why doesn't Dally want Johnny to turn himself in?
A: Dally doesn’t want Johnny to turn himself in because it would hard for Johnny to prove his innocence and the Greasers “get it worse then anyone else”. He also thought it was pointless since he went through all that trouble to keep them a secret and now they are giving up that easily.
3. Q: What "other side" of Dallas is revealed in this chapter?
A: The “other side” of Dallas that is revealed in this chapter is a very kind, nurturing personality. Up until this point he didn’t care about anyone but him self, but he comforted Johnny when he felt down and didn’t know what to do in a soft voice that was never heard before. He helped Pony and Johnny get through this time of hardship and even helped save the group of small children.
4. Q: What's your own definition of a hero? Do the three boys prove themselves to be heroes, according to your definition? Explain.
A: My own definition of hero would be one who is fighting for someone or a certain cause no matter what the consequence. Yes, I think the three boys demonstrated my heroic definition very well because Johnny, Pony and Dally all fought to save those tiny children even though their own lives were at stake.
5. Q: Why do you think Johnny wasn't scared, despite the obvious danger, on page 92?
A: I think Johnny wasn’t scared despite the obvious danger because he has already been through so much and he felt that this was his fault and he needed to correct this mistake. He was fighting for a good cause for once in his life instead of the wrong one. I think he felt that this was something important he had to do and prove to himself how heroic and brave he really can be.
bewildered - confused or befuddled, especially with a lot of conflicting situations, objects, or statements
As the lady in blue explained the instructions for that day of work, Bernice was bewildered because it was like nothing she had done before.
---------------------------------------------------------
1. Q: Do you think Dally's parents have influenced the way he is; his personality? Explain.
A: Yes, I do think that Dally’s parents have influenced the way he is and his personality. I think this because they didn’t care much about him, what he did or what happened to him. They basically had let him run wild, so growing up with no discipline defiantly made him feel like he could do anything and get away with it. Also, he isn’t dependent on anyone because earlier on he couldn’t depend on his parents.
2. Q: Why doesn't Dally want Johnny to turn himself in?
A: Dally doesn’t want Johnny to turn himself in because it would hard for Johnny to prove his innocence and the Greasers “get it worse then anyone else”. He also thought it was pointless since he went through all that trouble to keep them a secret and now they are giving up that easily.
3. Q: What "other side" of Dallas is revealed in this chapter?
A: The “other side” of Dallas that is revealed in this chapter is a very kind, nurturing personality. Up until this point he didn’t care about anyone but him self, but he comforted Johnny when he felt down and didn’t know what to do in a soft voice that was never heard before. He helped Pony and Johnny get through this time of hardship and even helped save the group of small children.
4. Q: What's your own definition of a hero? Do the three boys prove themselves to be heroes, according to your definition? Explain.
A: My own definition of hero would be one who is fighting for someone or a certain cause no matter what the consequence. Yes, I think the three boys demonstrated my heroic definition very well because Johnny, Pony and Dally all fought to save those tiny children even though their own lives were at stake.
5. Q: Why do you think Johnny wasn't scared, despite the obvious danger, on page 92?
A: I think Johnny wasn’t scared despite the obvious danger because he has already been through so much and he felt that this was his fault and he needed to correct this mistake. He was fighting for a good cause for once in his life instead of the wrong one. I think he felt that this was something important he had to do and prove to himself how heroic and brave he really can be.
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