chaptEr thRee ~



aloof -> at a distance, esp. in feeling or interest; apart
impersonally -> not personal; without reference or connection to a particular person
ornery ->ugly and unpleasant in disposition or temper
resignedly -> submissive or acquiescent


1. What does Cherry explain as the difference between the socs and the greasers?

Cherrys opinion, the difference between the Socs and the Greasers is not that only money seperates the Socs from Greasers. She thinks that the Greasers have different values to them. Greasers are more emotional. Socs were cold and mean, where as Greasers were more caring and compassionate towards each other.



2. What does Ponyboy mean on p. 39 when he says "Johnny and I understood each other without saying anything"? Have you ever had a relationship with someone who you understood, or who understood you, without having to say anything?

Ponyboy means that him and Johny are such close friends that they dont have to tell eachother what they feel, like when somethings wrong they'll know that right away.
I have a relationship like that with some family & friends.

3. When and how did Pony's parents die?

Ponyboys parents died in an auto wreck


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

When Ponyboy comes home after his curfew Darry gets very upset because he got worried where he was and then he told Ponyboy he wasn't using his head and he never does, then he hit him and Ponyboy ran out of the house, to Johnny.

5. Why does Johnny like it better when his father is hitting him?

Johnny likes it when his father hits him cause Johnny thinks that hif father knows he exists when he doesn hit him, not like when he leaves they dont care or even notice. Johnny likes, wants the feeling of someone knowing hes there.



6. At the end of the chapter, how does the author foreshadow that bad things are to come?

The author forshadows that bad thing are going to come in a short one sentence when she put
~ Things gotta get better, I figured. They couldn't get any worse. I was wrong.
That right there implicates that some pretty bad things are about to erupt in chapter 4.

Chapter Tw0 : ))
1. incredulous -> indicating or showing unbelief

2. vaguely-> showing lack of clear perception or understanding

3. nonchantly -> coolly unconcerned, indifferent, or unexcited; casual

I was watching TV and I saw this commercial that had absolutly no point and as I was vaguely watching, a car came crashing through my living room window, as incredulous as that event that just happened was, I nonchalantly walked into the kitchen.


1. Who are the Fuzz ?
The "fuzz" is the Greasers slang term for the police.

2. Are the names Sodapop and Ponyboy nicknames ? Explain.
Sodapop and Ponyboy are not nicknames. Although you think they would be, they are on their birth certificates.
I guess there parents wanted them to be unique.

3. Who are Cherry and Marcia ?
Cherry and Marcia are popular Socs who met Dally, Ponyboy and Johny at the Movies. Cherys boyfriend is Bob, who is very popular and maybe a bit feared by some Greasers because there known the jump people.

4. Why doesn't Ponyboy like referring to Sodapop as a dropout ?
Ponyboy doesnt like reffering to Sodapop as a dropout because its such a negative word and he did it for Ponyboy, got a job so they would have enough money to get him through school.

5. What is Ponybay comparing Two-Bit when he calls him a "chessy cat" On page 27? What figure of speech is this besides a simile ?
Ponyboy is comparing Two-Bit to the big purple cat with thw wide grin on Alice in Wonderland. Not because he's fat or purple or anything, but because when he smiled it was just like a cartoon one, like the cat.

6. What is "a weed" slang for in 1967 ?
"a weed" is the 1967 slang word for a cigarette.

7. Why does dally look sick now ?
Because he saw Johny beaten up very badly on the ground. But Ponyboy could'nt understand why he looked so sick now because he saw alot of dead people all over Newyork city, so what was the big deal of him seeing Johnny like this. I think he was so affected by this cause Johnny was their "pet" and he was the only one who Dally really cared about and he couldnt stand seeing him like this.

8. What literary device does the author use to describe Johnny's mugging (pgs. 31-34) ?

Chapter One :

1. Describe each of the characters in this chapter and their relationship with one another.

Pony Boy: The smart one, the youngest (14), parents died, youngest of three brothers (Sodapop and Darry), reddish/brown hair, likes to read.
Sodapop: The middle child in the family, blonde hair, 16-17, dropped out of highschool to get a job to help pay for Pony Boy's education.
Darrel: Everyone calls him Darry, the oldest brother, smart, loving, handsome, tall, got a football scholarship but refused to take care of his two younger brothers, has two jobs.
Johnny: The gangs pet, youngest next to Ponyboy, gets abused by his parents, got beat up badly by the Socs, very shy, long jetblack hair.
Dally: Everybody calls him Dallas, he likes to draw, hair looks white since its so blonde, eyes are cold blue/grey, elfish face, high cheekbones, pointed nose, arrested at 10, more tougher, colder, and leaner then the rest of the gang.
Keith Mathews: Called Two-Bit Mathews, hes a wisecracker, rusty coloured side burns, oldest of the gang, six foot, goes to shcool just for kicks.
Steve Randal: Sodapops best friend, smart, cocky, lean, thick hair.


2. Who are the Socs? Who are the Greasers?

Greasers: Live on the Eastside, poor compared to the Socs, like a hood, steals things, drive souped up cars, have gang fights and and a while.
Socs: Sometimes known as the socials, richer then the greasers, jump the greasers, wreck houses, throw beer blasts for fun, west-side rich kids, public disgrace.


3. How do Ponyboy's relationship with Sodapop and Darry differ? Explain.

Ponyboy and Sodapop are like close friends while Darry is like a Father to him rather then a friend, always telling him what to do, always yelling at him, always on his back. While Sodapop is always sticking up for Ponyboy, inviting him places. Sodapop treat Ponyboy like he's his age, while Darry always treats him like a little kid which upsets Ponyboy.
Ponyboy likes Sodapop more then Darry because of the fact that he thinks Darry doesnt love him, and he thinks that he only loves Sodapop because he never yells at him. His gang always tells Ponyboy that Darry cares for him & does love him, but i dont think Ponyboy realloy believes him.
He feels safe with Sodapop, feels like he can trust him with anything. I dont think he would have that kind of relationship with Darry again, ever since their parents died.


4. Why is the 'gang' important to Johnny?

I could say the 'gang' is practally Johnnys life. I say this because Johnnys parents arent all that, his dad always hits him and beats him up, and his mom ignores him and doesnt care about him/where he is/ or what hes doing. So he thinks as the gang as his family, there so important because they're the only people that really love him.


5. How does Ponyboy react to Sodapop when he tells him about Darry?

Ponyboy didnt believe anything that Sodapop was saying to him about Darry, he didnt believe he was so rough on him only because he worries about him and he was the baby of that family and the only really brainy one and he didnt want anything to happen to him.


6. Do you think Darry loves Ponyboy? Why does he treat Ponyboy the way he does?

I do think Darry loves Ponyboy and I think he only treats him the way he does is because he doesn't want anything to happen to him, he wants the best life possible for him and he wants him to stay in school, dont get in trouble with the law and go to a good college. Kinda like he wants Ponyboy to have the life he never had.

7. What does Ponyboy mean on page 18 when he says, "I lie to myself all the time"? Do you ever lie to yourself? Why?

I think Ponyboy means is that he knows the truth, but doesnt want to believe it. When he was saying the Darry doesn't love him or he doesn't like Darry he knows he doenst mean it, or its not true.. but he wants to believe otherwise.
I think I do that sometimes but I can't think of a specific situation right now.