The Outsiders Test

Question 1

Characterization

Answer 1

The way an author reveals information about a character

Question 2

Direct Characterization

Answer 2

When the author explicitly describes a character (ie. tells you the information directly) `

Question 3

Indirect Characterization

Answer 3

When the author hints at a character trait and doesn’t tell the reader directly (the reader needs to look for clues, we use a STEAL chart to help us)

Question 4

Round Characters (*provide an example of a round character from the novel)

Answer 4

Usually a main character, we know a lot of information about them, they are developed the most (think of a “round” ball – we can see it from multiple sides, it is “well-rounded”)

Ex. Johnny, Ponyboy, Dally, Darry,

Question 5

Flat Characters (*provide an example of a flat character from the novel)

Answer 5

A minor character that the reader does not know a lot of information about; they are not developed (think of a “flat” piece of paper – we can’t see it from every side)

Ex. Steve, Marcia, Two-Bit, Tim Shepherd,

Question 6

Static Characters (*provide an example of a static character from the novel)

Answer 6

A character that stays mostly the same throughout the novel; they don’t change or grow (“static” means “still”) *most flat characters are static characters

Ex. Tim Shepherd, Bob, Steve, Marcia, Two-Bit,

Question 7

Dynamic Characters (*provide an example of a dynamic character from the novel)

Answer 7

A character that does change and develop over the novel (“dynamic” means movement); *most dynamic characters are also round characters

Ex. Ponyboy, Johnny, Dally, Darry, Cherry

Question 8

Coming-of-Age Novel

Answer 8

A novel in which a character grows or matures in some way; usually a teenage or young adult character; identity is usually developed as they face new experiences

Question 9

Found Family

Answer 9

A group of people who are NOT biologically related, but who feel like family; also called a “chosen family” (ex. Ponyboy’s gang)

Question 10

Point of View

Answer 10

The perspective from which a story is told (1st, 2nd, or 3rd person)

Question 11

Greasers

Answer 11

The poorer, East-side kids, seen as thugs or hoods

Question 12

Socs

Answer 12

The rich kids from the West side of town

Question 13

Person v. Person Conflict (*provide an example from the novel)

Answer 13

Two individuals having a conflict with each other

Ex. Darry and Ponyboy fighting about whether Ponyboy should stay in school
Ex. Ponyboy being attacked by Bob
Ex. Darry and Ponyboy arguing when Pony came home late
Ex. Darry and Ponyboy fighting over Pony “not using his head”
Ex. Johnny killing Bob

Question 14

Person v. Self Conflict (*provide an example from the novel)

Answer 14

An individual struggling to make a decision within themself; conflicted over two options; also called an “internal struggle”

Ex. Johnny struggling to decide whether to hide or turn himself in
Ex. Johnny struggling to decide whether he should kill Bob
Ex. Ponyboy struggling to accept that Johnny died
Ex. Johnny deciding whether to save himself or protect Ponyboy
Ex. Ponyboy struggling over how he should feel about being a Greaser

Question 15

Person v. Society Conflict (*provide an example from the novel)

Answer 15

One individual who in a conflict against an entire group or social construct, usually over differing values or beliefs

Ex. Ponyboy (individual) versus the Socs as a whole (society)
Ex. The group of Socs attacking Johnny
Ex. Ponyboy testifying against the Socs at the hearing
Ex. Johnny (individual) running away to evade law enforcement (society)

Question 16

Ponyboy: Looks, What important events did this character participate in, Did the character grow? If so, how, List 1-2 conflicts that this character had or was involved in, Other information that you recall about them from the novel

Answer 16

Looks:Long greasy reddish brown hair, grayish green eyes, fourteen years old, wears typical “Greaser clothes”
What important events did this character participate in:Part of the fight where Johnny killed Bob; participated in the rumble; ran away with Johnny; present for Johnny’s death; ran into the church fire; jumped by the Socs; witnessed Dally’s death
Did this character grow? If so, how:Yes, he started out afraid of Socs and became more bold by the end of the book.
Matured in his perspective of the Socs (class difference theme)
Grew in his understanding of Darry
List 1-2 conflicts that this character had or was involved in:The rumble
Bob’s death
Church fire
Threatens Socs at end of book
Darry hitting Ponyboy
Other information that you recall about them from the novel: Best friends with Johnny

Loves movies, books, and schools Orphaned He likes Cherry

Question 17

Johnny: Looks, What important events did this character participate in, Did the character grow? If so, how, List 1-2 conflicts that this character had or was involved in, Other information that you recall about them from the novel

Answer 17

Looks: Black, greased hair; small for his age; sixteen; frightened look; tanned skin
What important events did this character participate in: Running into the church fire
Bob’s death
Dies as a result of his injuries
Ran away with Ponyboy
Did this character grow? If so, how?:Yes, went from being shy and withdrawn to more brave and outgoing
Loses innocence
List 1-2 conflicts that this character had or was involved in. : Bob’s death
Choosing to go into the church fire
Conflicted over whether to turn himself in
Other information that you recall about them from the novel: Like a puppy that has been kicked too many times

Badly jumped by the Socs before the book started – led to him carrying a knife

Parents are mean and abusive

Question 18

Dally: Looks, What important events did this character participate in, Did the character grow? If so, how, List 1-2 conflicts that this character had or was involved in, Other information that you recall about them from the novel

Answer 18

Looks: Tall and muscular, intimidating, elfish features/high cheekbones, blue eyes; very violent
What important events did this character participate in: Helped Ponyboy and Johnny escape
Ran into the fire after them
Robbed a store after Johnny’s death
Involved in rumble
Did the character grow? If so, how: Yes, became more open and emotional toward his friends
List 1-2 conflicts that this character had or was involved in: Internal conflict about whether to run into the fire or not
Dally v. the police force after Johnny’s death
Other information that you recall about them from the novel: Dies because he didn’t want to live without Johnny; carries an unloaded gun; first arrested at age 10; used to live in NY and involved in gang fights

Question 19

Cherry: Looks, What important events did this character participate in, Did the character grow? If so, how, List 1-2 conflicts that this character had or was involved in, Other information that you recall about them from the novel

Answer 19

Looks: She is a pretty Soc with red hair and green eyes
What important events did this character participate in: Acted as a spy for the Greasers;
had to choose between talking to P and J or being loyal to Bob at movies; *helps Ponyboy to understand that the Greasers and Socs are not so different
Did the character grow? If so, how: Grew from being loyal to the Socs to being loyal to the Greasers
List 1-2 conflicts that this character had or was involved in: Dally bullied her at the movies; chose to spy for the Greasers
Other information that you recall about them from the novel: Admires Bob because he was special and people followed him – saw this in Dally, too.

Was Bob’s girlfriend

Likes to watch the sunset

Question 20

Darry: Looks, What important events did this character participate in, Did the character grow? If so, how, List 1-2 conflicts that this character had or was involved in, Other information that you recall about them from the novel

Answer 20

Looks: Very tall and muscular, dark brown hair, ice blue eyes; college-aged What important events did this character participate in: Involved in the rumble, slaps Ponyboy
Did the character grow? If so, how: Grew by being more open and emotional toward Ponyboy (relationship improves)
List 1-2 conflicts that this character had or was involved in: Person v. person – fighting with Ponyboy

Rumble
Other information that you recall about them from the novel :Ponyboy and Soda’s brother; raised them after their parents died

Question 21

Loss of Innocence: Three examples of this theme from the book, What was the author’s message about this theme?

Answer 21

Johnny being jumped by the Socs
Pony, Sodapop, and Darry losing their parents
Dally being imprisoned at age ten
Johnny killing Bob
Ponyboy and Johnny being on the run from the police
Two of Ponyboy’s friends dying
“Nothing Gold Can Stay” helping P & J to understand innocence
Johnny being abused by his parents

innocence and perfect things don’t last forever

Innocence is easily lost

Question 22

Class Differences: Three examples of this theme from the book, What was the author’s message about this theme?

Answer 22

Socs wear nice clothes and the Greasers don’t
Socs and Greasers live on opposite sides of town (wealthy side/poor side) Socs are treated better because of their wealth Ponyboy recognizes that the Socs are people and experience struggles – ie. they are not as different as they seem
He and Cherry realize that “things are tough all over” – ie. they are not as different as they seem
He and Cherry can see the same sunset from opposite sides of town – this unites them

social classes should not separate people

Try to consider other peoples’ perspectives before judging them

Question 23

Cycle of Violence: Three examples of this theme from the book, What was the author’s message about this theme?

Answer 23

Bob and his gang beat up Johnny, leading him to carry a knife to defend himself
The rumble – the Socs fought the Greasers because of Bob’s death
Socs try to drown Ponyboy, which leads to Johnny killing Bob
*Randy deciding not to fight anymore – choosing to end the cycle of violence
Ongoing fighting between Socs and Greasers
Ponyboy threatening the Socs with a broken bottle

Violence does not solve anything

Violence keeps going unless something is done to stop it

S. E. Hinton uses the cycle of violence to demonstrate that “things are rough all over”.

Question 24

Why was the theme of loss of innocence important to the novel? How did it affect the plot or characters?

Answer 24

The theme of loss of innocence was important because it contributes to the characters’ growth, and it introduces conflicts to the novel that challenge the characters.

Question 25

Why was the theme of class differences important to the novel? How did it affect the plot or characters?

Answer 25

The theme of class differences was important because it revealed stereotypes present in society and introduced conflicts that caused the characters to grow in their understanding of different groups of people (specifically Ponyboy and Cherry).

Question 26

Why was the theme of cycle of violence important to the novel? How did it affect the plot or characters?

Answer 26

The cycle of violence theme was important to the novel because it caused the characters to reflect on their actions and their way of responding to situations. This theme affected the plot by moving the action of the story forward.

Question 27

What is the setting of the novel (time and place?)

Answer 27

The novel takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma during the 1960’s.

Question 28

Who is the author of the novel?

Answer 28

The author of the novel is S. E. Hinton.

Question 29

What point of view is the novel written in?

Answer 29

The novel is written in 1st person.

Question 30

Who is the narrator of the novel?

Answer 30

Ponyboy is the narrator of the novel.

Question 31

What do each of the letters in the STEAL acronym represent?

Answer 31

S - speech
T - thoughts
E - effect on others
A - actions
L - looks

Question 32

What do we use the STEAL chart for?

Answer 32

We use the STEAL chart to gather information for indirect characterization. It helps us to find clues about the characters that we can use to make conclusions about them.

Question 33

What do each of the letters in the RACEP acronym represent?

Answer 33

R - Restate
A - Answer
C - cite evidence
E - explain evidence
P - personalize

Question 34

What do we use the RACEP acronym for?

Answer 34

We use RACEP to help us answer open-ended questions