The outsiders

Summary of chapter 1
Chapter / starts with Ponyboy leaving the Cinema and walling into the bright sunlight
from the darkness". He knows that he shouldn't walk home alone as the socs might
attack but he realises, that he is also an Outsider in his own group because he is
"different that way". The socs Surround him and ask if he wants a "haircut"" and "a
blade was held against my throat ". The other Gresers arive-we get a deseription of
them when they chase the. socs away. The gang are like Family and they discussed
What they are going to do That evering/tomorrow. Later that nignt Panyboy stresses
Over the Fight and talks to Sodapop about his future plans. He feels isolated and
alone and realises that ‘ I lie to myself all the time but I never believe me’.

Summary of chapter 2
Chapter 2 starts with dally Johnny and ponyboy at the shipping
centre buying cokes and goof around until ‘the manager got wise to
us and suggested we leave’. But dally already stole something. They
then went to the dingo which was the drive in that greasers went to.
There was a fight going on and ‘ nobody in their right mind wants to
be around when the fuzz show’ . Then they went to sneak in the
double drive in movie. They had the money for it but ‘ dally hated to
do things the legal way’ . Dally then went to mess with the 2 girls
that were sitting down front ‘but those two girls weren’t our kind’.
Dally then went to buy some cokes and the girls started to talk with
Johnny and ponyboy and realised that they were different. Dally
came back with the cokes and cherry threw the coke at him. Johnny
then interfered and told dally to stop and then dally left. Then they
all started to have a conversation. Then they went to buy some
snacks and ponyboy tells cherry about johnny’s past. After he ends
the story he looks at cherry’s face which is ‘as white as a sheet’.
Then Cherry says the not all socs are bad and that ‘things are rough
all over’ then they go back finish the movie and ponyboy is thinking
how hard can it be for socs.
Summary of chapter 3
Marcia and cherry realise that they don’t have a ride home, Two-bit
offered them a ride home and after some talking they agreed. The
girls steel seems half scared of them but it seemed that they were
getting over it as they were getting closer to two- bit house. On the
way home ponyboy thinks ‘ I thought maybe it was money that
separated us.’ Then cherry denies ,and says that greasers are more
emotional.They both realise that it is really easy to talk with each
other . Then ponyboy started to tell her about Mickey Mouse sodas
horse which he never told anyone about. As they continue to talk
Ponyboy realises that they both loved watching sunsets and thinks
that “Maybe the 2 different worlds we lived in weren’t so different.’
We saw the same sunset”. Then Marcia notices the blue mustang
that was their boyfriends car. The car at first passes them but then it
comes back slow. Their boyfriends get out of the car with a few more
socs. They took Marcia and Cherry to drop them home. After the
mustang drives of , two-bit leaves Johnny and ponyboy in the vacant
lot where greasers hang out. As they smoke and look at the stars
Johnny says that he can’t take much more of the conflict and thinks
of committing suicide but then he takes it back and wishes about a
place where he can be free. Pony boy dreams of living in a place on
a country side happy with his family. He wakes up and realises how
late it is and hurry’s home. When he gets home Darry is furious at
him and losing control slaps ponyboy. Pony boy runs outside as
Darry apologises. He runs back to the greasers lot where he tells
Johnny what happened, and telling him that he wants to run away.
Johnny joins him without asking any questions. Johnny describes the
abuse and neglect that he faces at home. Ponyboy realises that
maybe his life is not that bad. Then they decide to take a walk to the
park and back before deciding whether to run away.

Summary of chapter 4
Ponyboy and Johnny went to the park ‘with a fountain in the middle’. Nobody
was around at 2:30 in the morning so it was a good place to cool of. A blast
from a car horn alerts them that the blue Mustang is near. The boys realize that they
are outnumbered as five Socs climb out of the car, including Bob and Randy,
Cherry's and Marcia's boyfriends. These Socs had threatened Two-Bit, Johnny, and
Ponyboy earlier in the evening when they found them walking with Cherry and
Marcia. Johnny pulls his switchblade, but a weaponless Pony is grabbed before he
knows it and shoved face first into a chilling fountain. In fear, Pony gasps for air but
realizes too late that he is sucking in water and drowning.
Ponyboy awakens on the pavement gasping for air. Johnny is next to him and tells
him, "I've killed that boy." Johnny is stained with blood and is still clutching his
switchblade. Ponyboy sees the Soc, Bob, lying in a pool of blood. Johnny is cool, as
Ponyboy has never before seen him, and states that they need money, a gun, and a
plan. Knowing that Dally is the gang member with the resources to help them, they
go in search of him to a party at the home of Buck Merril, Dally's rodeo partner. They
find Dally there, and he provides them with $50, a gun,
warm, dry clothes for Pony, and a plan that includes a safe hiding place. Dally
instructs them to hop a train to Windrixville, hike up JayMountain, and stay in an
abandoned church until he comes for them.
Ponyboy and Johnny follow Dally's instructions.
On their walk up the mountain to the church, they notice that their appearances
contrast sharply with the country culture. The church gives Ponyboy a creepy feeling,
perhaps a premonition, but sleep overtakes both boys and any fears or premonitions
are lost to exhaustion.

Chapter 5
Ponyboy and Johnny are hiding in an abandoned church. Johnny brings back
supplies, and they cut and dye their hair to disguise themselves. While hiding, they
read Gone with the Wind. Johnny is amazed by the Southern gentlemen in the book,
saying,”I bet they were just like Dally."
Ponyboy thinks about how much they've changed. He says, "I was still kind of proud
of my hair," even though they had to cut it to blend in. The act shows how much they
are losing from their old lives.
They spend their days in isolation, and Ponyboy wonders about the world outside.
Dally shows up with news that things are getting worse between the Greasers and
the Socs. He tells them that Cherry Valance is helping them by spying for the
Greasers.
Ponyboy is surprised, thinking, "She felt that the whole mess was her fault, which it
is, and she's willing to help us out."

Chapter 6
Chapter 6 starts with Johnny and ponyboy being shocked that Cherry is helping
them. Then Johnny says that “We're goin' back and turn ourselves in.“ ponyboy and
Dally were surprised to hear that after all they gone through but ponyboy agreed.
Then Dally says "You sure you want to go back? Us greasers get it worse than
anyone else” then Johnny asks dally if his parents asked about him. And dally says
that the boys did. They go back to the church and realise it’s on fire. Ponyboy starts
running twards the church and asks someone what happened. Then they hear a
scream from the church. Ponyboy starts running and goes in through a window and
“it was a wander I didn’t cut myself to death, now that I think about it.” Johnny was
right behind ponyboy. They found the kids and Johnny was acting like a leader and
“Johnny wasn’t behaving at all like his old self.” Then they both hurried and got the
kids out. After the last kid was out Johnny pushed ponyboy out of the window. And
as he was getting up he heard Johnny scream so he wanted to go back for him but
dally knocked him out. Then ponyboy woke up and he was in an ambulance. He
asks Jerry what happened to his friends and Jerry asks” which ones which” and we
find out that Johnny is uncouncious and severely hurt. But then he changes the
subject and says that “ I swear you three are the breavest kids I’ve seen in a long
time.” When they arrived at the hospital Ponyboy was afraid of looking at johnnys
face. Ponyboy was smoking a cigarette then Jerry comes and tells him that his
brothers came. He rushes and hugs soda but he is it so sure about Darry but then he
starts crying and ponyboy realises that “Darry did care about me “ .

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 stars with ponyboy sitting with his brothers in the sitting room waiting to
see how dally and Johnny were. Then the reporters and police came and “ they
asked to many questions too fast” After the reporters asked ponyboy questions the
reporters left and so did ponyboy Darry and soda pop. The next day ponyboy wakes
up first and makes himself and his brothers breakfast until two bit and Steve came in.
They told him that he was a hero in the papers and ‘they’d never believe a little
greasy lookin mug could be a hero’ at the end of the newspaper it said that ‘we
shouldn’t be separated after we worked so hated to stay together’Ponyboy isn't
feeling well, but he and Two-Bit leave the house and walk toward the hospital to visit
Dally and Johnny. The blue Mustang reappears and eventually pulls over. Ponyboy
recognizes Randy Adderson (Marcia's boyfriend) and the tall Soc who had tried to
drown him. Pony hates them, it is their fault Bob is dead, Johnny is dying, and he
and Soda might be placed in a boys' home.Randy asks him why he saved those
children at the burning church. Randy says that he would never have done it, and
that he can't believe that a greaser would do anything like that. Pony explains that it
wasn't a greaser or a Soc issue — the decision is dependent on the individual.
Randy states that he isn't going to fight in the big rumble that is planned for that
night. The fight isn't going to solve anything and no one will really win. As Ponyboy
gets out of the car, Randy says, "Thanks, grease . . . I didn't mean that, I meant,
thanks, kid." "My name's Ponyboy. . . . Nice talkin' to you, Randy." Ponyboy thinks,
"Socs are just guys after all. Things are rough all over, but it was better that way.
That way you could tell the other guy was human too."

Chapter 8

When Two-Bit and Ponyboy arrive at the hospital, the nurses won't let them see
Johnny. However, the doctor permits their visit because Johnny has been asking for
them and it "can't hurt now." With that foreboding statement, the boys go in and find
Johnny awake and able to talk. Johnny knows that his condition is not good, and he
is afraid of dying. He tells them that 16 years is not enough living and that it is just
not fair. Johnny's mother shows up to visit him, but Johnny refuses to see her: "Tell
her to leave me alone. For once." He passes out after this incident, and it is evident
that he is experiencing a great deal of pain.Pony and Two-Bit also visit Dally, who is
still in the hospital. He is his old self, and resents the fact that he will not be able to
take part in the rumble that night. He asks Two-Bit for his black-handled switchblade
and, upon receiving it, places it under his pillow.The boys leave Dally and decide to
take the bus home. Two-Bit leaves Pony at the bus stop while he goes into the gas
station for cigarettes. Pony has almost fallen asleep when Two-Bit returns, and Two-
Bit questions his health. Ponyboy begs him not to tell Darry that he is ill and assures
him that as soon as he takes a handful of aspirins he'll be fine and ready to rumble.
Two-Bit reluctantly agrees.Ponyboy has a bad feeling about the rumble. He tries to
convey it to Two-Bit, but Two-Bit doesn't want to understand. He accuses Pony of
being a chicken, but Pony defends himself and says that it isn't about being chicken,
it is about the awful feeling that something bad is going to happen at the
rumble.Cherry Valance is at the vacant lot when the boys go by. She speaks to both
Pony and Two-Bit and assures them that the Socs are going to follow the rules — no
weapons. Pony asks her whether she is going to visit Johnny in the hospital, but she
says that she just can't because Johnny had killed her boyfriend. She doesn't try to
defend Bob's actions, but she laments the fact that he is dead.Pony doesn't want to
hear her regret about Bob's death and questions her sincerity in being a spy: "Don't
you ever try to give us handouts and then feel high and mighty about it." Pony
instantly regrets saying this, thereby slipping back into old greaser habits. He tries to
counter that statement by asking her about the sunset, and she realizes his contrition
and smiles. As they part he notices that she has green eyes, the same as his.

Chapter 9

The rumble between the greasers and the Socs is set for 7 p.m. that night. Pony
slams down five aspirins while no one is looking; he is still successfully hiding his
illness. Still apprehensive about the rumble, Pony questions everyone's motivation
for the fight: "Soda fought for fun, Steve for hatred, Darry for pride, and Two-Bit for
conformity." Pony can only think of one good reason to fight — self-defense.As the
greasers gather together at the vacant lot, Pony compares the other greasers to his
own gang. His gang never uses weapons and has never really hurt anyone. Pony
realizes that they are not hoods, and they don't belong with this group of future
convicts. Ponyboy realizes that, unlike these hoods, Darry has the potential to be
successful in life. Pony wants to be like Darry. When the Socs gather, Darry steps
forward and says, "I'll take on anyone." One Soc steps forward and says hello to him.
It is a former buddy, one who is now in college, while Darry has to work for a living.
Just as the rumble begins, Dally shows up. Able to fight with only one arm, he
announces that a rumble can't happen without him. The Socs lose the rumble
because they run first. Everyone in Pony's gang is banged up, but the greasers win
and that is all that matters.Dally grabs Ponyboy and says that they have to quickly go
to the hospital because Johnny is dying. Ponyboy isn't feeling very well himself. He is
still sick and has been cut and bruised. When they are stopped by the police for
speeding, Dally is able to point to Pony and say that he is rushing him to the hospital.
The police officer believes him and escorts them the rest of the way.Dally and
Ponyboy make it to the hospital in time. Johnny is dying and is not impressed that
the greasers won the rumble: "Useless . . . fighting's no good." He asks to speak to
Ponyboy, and, leaning over him, Johnny's last words are "Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay
gold."When Johnny dies, Dally bolts out of the room and takes off running.
Chapter 10

After Johnny's death and Dally's departure, Ponyboy wanders through the hospital's
halls in a daze. Pony is in denial about Johnny's death, and keeps repeating that he
isn't dead. He leaves the hospital and roams the streets until a stranger picks him up
and drives him home.Upon arriving home, Pony tells the rest of the gang about
Johnny's death and everyone is silent. The phone rings, and the call is from Dally.
He says that he has just robbed a grocery store and he needs someplace to hide
out. The gang members agree to meet at the vacant lot.They race to the lot to the
accompaniment of sirens wailing in the streets. Everyone reaches the lot at the same
time: Dally, the gang, and the police. As Dally stands in a circle of light under a street
lamp, he pulls out his gun. Pony knows that it isn't loaded and he realizes that Dally
knows that, but the police don't. Dally wants to die, and he gets his wish. He is
gunned down as his gang watches, knowing that Dally always gets what he wants
and this time Dally wants to be dead.As these events are happening, Pony's
condition is worsening. He can barely run to the lot and his vision is shifting in and
out of focus. Ponyboy collapses at the lot, as his brothers and gang rush to help
him.The next thing Pony remembers is waking up at home. He doesn't remember
being in the hospital or being unconscious for three days, but he does remember that
both Johnny and Dally are dead. Darry tells him that he has been suffering from
exhaustion, shock, and a minor concussion. The concussion came from the rumble
when a Soc had kicked him in the head.Gone with the Wind is lying on the table.
Darry tells him that Johnny had instructed the nurse to give the book to Pony. All
Pony can think about are the Southern gentlemen who were going off to certain
death in the war — just like Dally. Pony vows never to finish the book.Soda and
Darry spend every moment by Pony's bedside. They are as exhausted as Pony. The
future for all three is uncertain. Pony has missed a lot of school, he has missed track,
and the threat of being placed in a boys' home is still a very real possibility.

Chapter 11

Pony is confined to bed for a week, still recuperating and trying to remember and
understand the events of the past few days. Looking through Soda's old yearbooks
to pass the time, he stumbles across a picture of Robert Sheldon. He recognizes the
boy, but he needs a moment to realize that this is the Bob whom Johnny killed. He
tries to imagine what Bob had been like, and wonders how his parents are handling
his death.Darry tells him that he has a visitor. Pony welcomes into the room Randy
Adderson, a Soc. Randy explains that he is visiting because Cherry has heard his
name on the bulletin at school and because everyone involved in Bob's killing has to
see the judge the next day regarding the death. Randy says that his dad advised him
to just tell the truth before the judge. Randy also tells Pony that he regrets his
involvement in the fight because it has upset his father. Pony is amazed, because he
sees the consequences Randy faces as minimal — Randy's father is rich; he can
pay any fine the judge imposes and clear his son of any charges. Ponyboy and his
brothers have avoided talking about the upcoming meeting with the judge. This
hearing could possibly be the end of their home life together, and nobody wants to
accept that possibility.Pony tells Randy this fear, and Randy advises him to tell the
truth. He continues by stating that Pony isn't guilty of any crime and Johnny was the
one who wielded the knife. At this pronouncement, Ponyboy erupts, "I had the knife. I
killed Bob." Randy is confused but continues to correct Pony and assure him that
Johnny killed Bob. Pony repeats, "Johnny is not dead." Darry rescues Randy from
this scene and tells him that he must go. Darry explains to Randy that the doctor has
said that Ponyboy is still suffering mentally and emotionally and that only time will
heal him.

Chapter 12

The hearing with the judge wasn't what Ponyboy had expected. Everyone except
Pony was able to tell the judge what had happened that night; Pony is only
questioned about his home life. The judge listens to everyone, acquits Pony, and
closes the case. But things are not back to normal at home. Pony is having a hard
time at school, and he is forgetful and clumsy. Fighting resumes with Darry as he
continually has to berate Pony about getting his homework done. Nothing really
matters to Pony any more, and getting through each day is a struggle for him.At
lunch one afternoon, Pony, Two-Bit, and Steve walk over to the gas station. Two-Bit
and Steve go inside and a carload of Socs drive up and three get out. Pony feels
nothing; he isn't scared or mad. The Socs accuse him of being the one that killed
Bob Sheldon, and start coming toward him. Pony calmly breaks a bottle and
threatens to "split" them if they don't get back into their car: "I've had about all I can
take from you guys." The Socs retreat, and Pony picks up the broken glass.Pony's
English teacher assigns a semester theme for him to write, and if he does well on it,
he will give him a C for the class even though his work has earned him a failing
grade. The topic is to be Pony's choice and the theme is proving to be an
overwhelming task for him to accomplish. Darry's constant nagging only results in
arguments. When Darry and Pony try to bring Soda into the fight and ask him to
choose sides, he runs out of the house.Pony and Darry chase after him and finally
catch him down at the park. Soda explains that he just can't stand it anymore —
always being in the middle, always being torn from one side to the other. Neither
Darry nor Pony had ever thought about how their fighting was impacting Soda. Soda
reminds them that they should be sticking together, not tearing each other apart. All
agree that they need to pull together, not apart.At home that night, Pony cannot
make himself work on his theme. He picks up Gone with the Wind and a note from
Johnny falls out. Johnny writes that he had figured out what the poem Nothing Gold
Can Stayreally meant. The meaning is that one should not take things for granted,
that everyone needs to continue to look at the world as if it is brand new in order to
appreciate it. He also writes that Pony still has plenty of time to make something of
himself. There is plenty of good in the world, and, most importantly, Pony should tell
Dally these ideas as well. Dally really needs to hear them.It is too late to tell Dally.
Suddenly it dawns on Pony that a lot of Dallys live in the world. Someone should tell
their side of the story, from their perspective, and then maybe other people wouldn't
be so quick to judge. Pony decides that this is his theme topic. But how to start?
Pony starts with the opening lines of Chapter 1.

Character analysis
Name : Adjectives
quotations:
Ponyboy Outsider ‘I
am different that way’
Self -conscious. ‘I
never believe me’
Not street wise. ‘Sometimes I
just don’t use my head’
Johnny Sad. ‘His father was
always beating him up’
Anxious ‘I knew Johnny
wouldn’t open his mouth
Unless he was
forced to’
Dally Rebellious. ‘Man i thought New
York was the only .
place to end in a murder rap’.
Violent. ‘ Dally got up and
stalked off’
Darry. Protective. ‘ they didn’t hurt you
too bad did they’
Cherry. Confident ‘What’s a nice smart kid like you
running around with trash like that for’
Defensive. ‘Things are rough all over’

Explanations

Ponyboy – is different because he likes to read and watch movies even

Johnny – Johnny is considered anxious at the beginning of the book because

Dally – dally is rebellious when he gets in fights all the time and when he died
as a Holdem