Chapter 9 The Outsiders S.E. Hinton

THE OUTSIDERS S.E. HINTON CHAPTER NINE VOCABULARY: • Underprivileged • Leery • Conformity • Contract • Taut • Ruefully QUESTIONS: 1) How does Ponyboy feel about fighting? How do the other Greasers feel about it? Ponyboy feels conflicted about fighting. He doesn't enjoy violence and would prefer to avoid it if possible. However, he understands that sometimes fighting is necessary to defend oneself or protect others. The other Greasers, on the other hand, are more accustomed to fighting and see it as a necessary part of their lives, especially in their ongoing conflict with the Socs. 2) Why does Darry not want to let Ponyboy fight in the rumble? Darry does not want to let Ponyboy fight in the rumble because he is worried about his safety. He knows that Ponyboy is still recovering from the church fire and doesn't want to risk him getting hurt further, especially since Ponyboy is the youngest member of their gang. 3) Why does Ponyboy think that no one blames the Socs for what happens in the conflict between the Socs and the Greasers? How does Ponyboy feel the world judges who is good and who is bad? Ponyboy thinks that no one blames the Socs for what happens in the conflict between the Socs and the Greasers because society tends to judge people based on their social status and appearance. He feels that the world sees the Greasers as troublemakers and delinquents, while the Socs are perceived as innocent victims. Ponyboy believes that the world unfairly stereotypes people and judges them based on superficial factors rather than their actions or character. 4) Who shows up at the last minute to join the rumble? How did he get out of the hospital? Two-Bit Matthews shows up at the last minute to join the rumble. He got out of the hospital by convincing the nurse that he needed to use the restroom and then sneaking out when she wasn't looking. 5) Who wins the rumble? Do you think the victory really changes anything? The Greasers win the rumble. However, the victory does not really change anything in the long run. The underlying tensions between the Socs and the Greasers remain, and the victory does not address the deeper issues of social inequality and prejudice that contribute to the conflict between the two groups. 6) How does Johnny react when Dally tells him that they beat up the Socs? Johnny reacts with shock and disbelief when Dally tells him that they beat up the Socs. He is appalled by the violence and realizes the senselessness of the ongoing conflict between the Greasers and the Socs. 7) What does Johnny say to Ponyboy before he dies? What do you think it means? Before he dies, Johnny tells Ponyboy to "stay gold." This means to remain innocent, pure, and true to oneself despite the hardships and challenges of life. It is a reminder for Ponyboy to hold onto his ideals and values, even in the face of adversity, and to not let the harsh realities of the world change who he is at his core.