The Outsiders Study Guide #1

The Outsiders – Study Guide #1 Chapters 1-4

Vocabulary Apprehensive: viewing something with anxiety or alarm Acquire: to get as one’s own Avoid: to keep away from Clammy: being damp Bewilder: to perplex or confuse Disgrace: to humiliate Bleak: depressing; grim Gingerly: very cautiously or carefully Contemptuous: showing a strong dislike Glaring: stand out Defiance: willingness to contend or fight Incidentally: not intentionally Dumbfounded: puzzled Incredulous: unwilling to admit or accept as true Gallantly: bravely Irresistibly: impossible to ignore Groggy: weak and unsteady Nonchalantly: unconcerned or indifferent Ornery: cantankerous; irritable Rarities: something that is rare; not common Premonition: previous notice or warning Reckless: irresponsible Quaver: tremble Roguishly: to act in a mischievous manner Quiver: shake Sagely: wisely Rave: to talk irrationally Sarcastically: wit that is bitter or caustic Resign: to give oneself over without resistance Stocky: compact, sturdy Rueful: exciting pity or sympathy Sympathetic: marked by compassion Sassy: lively; saucy Unfathomable: not capable of being measured or believed Unceasing: continuous Winced: flinch

1. What are the values of the Greasers’ code?

2.What happened to Pony’s parents?

3.Why is the gang important to Johnny?

4.How is Pony’s relationship with Darry different from his relationship with Soda?

5.What happened to Pony on the way home from the movies?

6.Who are the fuzz?

7.How did Johnny react to Dally’s rude behavior towards the girls?

8.Why is it surprising that Cherry was attracted to Dally?

9.Describe the rules of a “fair” gang fight. 10. What did Cherry learn about the Greasers, and what did Pony learn about the Socs?

11. What does Cherry explain as the difference between the Socs and the Greasers?

12. What happens when Pony comes home after his curfew?

13. Why do Pony and Johnny want to move to the country? What do they think they’ll find there?

14. Who is Mickey Mouse? Why was he so important to Soda?

15. Describe what happens in the park.

16. Who do they go to for help and what does he give them?

17. Where do the boys hide out?

Literary Devices

1. Simile: Soda attracted girls like honey draws flies.  What is being compared?

 What is the effect of this comparison?

2. Point of View  From what point of view is this story told?

 Why do you think the author chose this point of view?

3. Flashback  What past event did the author relate?

 Why did the author use a flashback in this chapter?

 Why was the information in the flashback important?

4. Cliffhanger  What is the cliffhanger at the end of Chapter Three?