Outsider Quotes

Question 1

The Opening/Ending

The opening, introducing Ponyboy’s character and personality. Stands out uniquely informal. Also ending shows circular narrative.

Answer 1

“When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home.”

Question 2

Character Ponyboy-Meek

Introducing the theme of an outsider early on. Paints greasers as the outcasts through Ponyboy’s eyes.

Answer 2

“I’m different that way.”

Question 3

Theme: Loyalty

Theme of loyalty and interdependence between the gang. Shows the bond of understanding between the gang.

Answer 3

“When you grow up in a tight-knit neighbourhood like ours you get to know each other real well.”

Question 4

Theme: Senseless Conflict

Introduces social divide and the theme of senseless of conflict.

Answer 4

“They’ve got all the breaks and even whipping them isn’t going to change that fact.”

Question 5

Key Scene: Bobs killing

Foreshadows Bob’s killing, show’s Johnny as a meek and marginalised.

Answer 5

“carried in his back pocket a six-inch switchblade. He’d use it, too, if he ever got jumped again.”

Question 6

Theme: Economic based predjudice

Key theme, repeated phrase, shows the Soc’s point of view.

Answer 6

“Things are rough all over.”

Question 7

Theme: Conflict

shows the problems faced by the two classes.

Answer 7

“You don’t feel anything and we feel too violently.”

Question 8

Theme: Relationship of Johnny and Ponyboy

Very strong friendship, shows there understanding and ability to depend upon each other. Introduces the key relationship between Johnny and Ponyboy.

Answer 8

“Johnny and I understood each other without saying anything.”

Question 9

Theme: Senseless Conflict

Ponyboy’s reflection on the senseless of conflict and his own predjudice. Mabye the Soc’s and the Greasers aren’t so different.

Answer 9

“We saw the same sunset.”

Question 10

Theme: Economic based predjudice

Dont be prejuidice, we all have problems, we all have dreams and the Soc’s aren’t so sterotypical and violent.

Answer 10

“Just don’t forget that some of us watch the sunset too.”

Question 11

Theme: relationship of Darry and Ponyboy

Friction between the tight-knit relationship of the brothers. Darry-Ponyboy.

Answer 11

“Can’t you use your head?”

Question 12

Symbol-greasy hair

Answer 12

“It was my pride.”
“Our hair was tuff.”
“It was our trademark.”

Question 13

Symbol-Robert Frost’s poem

Literary allusion is seen in the symbol of Robert Frost’s poem. It tells us that our youth is gold and like the sunset preservation of childhood innocence will inevitably end.

Answer 13

“Nothing gold can stay.”

Question 14

Theme: Economic Predjudice

Shows that Greasers aren’t all hoods and shouldn’t be judged as such.

Answer 14

“Y’all were heroes from the beginning.”

Question 15

Ponyboy-loyalty.

He tries to go back and save Johnny from the church. Uses juxtaposition “peaceful darkness.”

Answer 15

“Then I heard Johnny scream, and as I turned to go back for him, Dally swore at me”

Question 16

Theme: Family relationship of Darry and Ponyboy

Shows the strength of family and Darry and Ponyboy understanding each other.

Answer 16

“Darry did care about me, mabye as much as he cared about Soda, and because he cared he was trying to make something out of me.”

Question 17

Theme: Economic based prejudice

Shows that there shouldn’t be an economic based prejudice.

Answer 17

“‘Greaser’ didn’t have anything to do with it.”

Question 18

Theme: Economic based prejudice

What matters is on the inside.

Answer 18

“It’s the individual.”

Question 19

Theme: Individuality

Those who accept who they are individually become happy. You can only play with the cards you are given.

Answer 19

“Greasers will still be greasers and Socs will still be Socs. Sometimes I think it’s the ones in the middle that are really the lucky stiffs.”

Question 20

Theme: Family and loylalty.

They need Johnny. A supportive relationship that Ponyboy doesn’t think he can do without.

Answer 20

“We needed Johnny as much as he needed the gang.”

Question 21

Theme: Economic based predjudice.

Economic inequality. Sense of pride in greasers that can’t be quenched

Answer 21

“Don’t you ever try to give us handouts and then feel high and mighty about it.”

Question 22

Theme: Economic based predjudice

The two worlds are not so different. The prejudice has no basis.

Answer 22

“‘Can you see the sunset real good from the West Side?’
She blinked startled, then smiled. ‘Real good.’
‘You can see it good from the East Side, too’

Question 23

Theme: Senseless violence

Ponyboy reflecting on why people fight and that he only fights in self defence.

Answer 23

“Soda fought for fun, Steve for hatred, Darry for pride, and Two-Bit for conformity. Why do I fight? I thought, and couldn’t think of any real good reason. There isn’t any real good reason for fighting except self-defense.”

Question 24

Theme: Individuality

Ponyboy is different he is no hood and a child with his whole future ahead of him.

Answer 24

“We’re greasers but not hoods, and we don’t belong with this bunch of future convicts.”

Question 25

Theme: Economic based predjudice

Looks can be deceiving, don’t judge people by their looks.

Answer 25

“We look hoody and they look decent.”

“but people usually go by looks.”

Question 26

Theme: Senseless violence

Shows how conflict divides people. Ponyboy’s sadness towards the senslessness of violence. Prejudice has resulted in the loss of friendhip and senseless violence.

Answer 26

“They used to be friends, and now they hate each other because one has to work for a living and the other comes from the West side.”

Question 27

Key Scene: Johnny dies

Refering to Robert Frost’s poem and the innocence and purity of Ponyboy.

Answer 27

“Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold…”

Question 28

Key Scene: Dally dies

Shows death of Dally.

Answer 28

“Even as I begged silently-please not him…not him and Johnny both-I knew he would be dead, because Dally Winston wanted to be dead and he always got what he wanted.”

Question 29

Key Scene: Dally dies and also a theme of inevitability

How did Dally die?

Answer 29

“Dally didn’t die a hero. He died violent and young and desperate, just like we all knew he’d die someday.” “He died gallant”

Question 30

Theme: Family relationship between Darry and Ponyboy

Introduces friction between Darry and Ponyboy

Answer 30

“You must think at school, with all those good grades you bring home.”

Question 30

Theme: Loyalty

Shows theme of loyalty in Dally

Answer 30

“But he just took the sentence without battin’ an eye or even denyin’ it. That’s gallant.”

Question 30

Character Ponyboy: Naive and innocent

Shows ponyboy’s innocence and naivety.

Answer 30

“Johnny was dead. But he wasn’t. That still body back in the hospital wasn’t Johnny.”

Question 30

Theme: Economic based prejudice

Reveals author’s message of not judging people by looks.

Answer 30

“Someone should tell their side of the story, and mabye people would understand then and wouldn’t be so quick to judge a boy by the amount of hair oil he wore. It was important to me.”

Question 30

Symbol-blue mustang

Answer 30

“The blue Mustang was circling the park slowly.”

Question 30

Key Scene: Bob’s killing

Answer 30

“‘I killed him,’ he said slowly. ‘I killed that boy’”

Question 30

Theme: Family relationship of Darry and Ponyboy

Answer 30

“Darry thought I was just another mouth to feed and somebody to holler at. Darry love me?”

Question 30

Theme: Family relationship of Darry and Ponyboy

First proof that Darry does love Ponyboy

Answer 30

“Kid you ought to see Darry. He’s takin’ this mighty hard.”

Question 31

Key scene: Johnny dies and senseless violence

Answer 31

“Useless…fighting’s no good”