The Outsiders ch 11-12
Explain how Darry and Ponyboy's actions affect Sodapop.
After an argument between Darry and Ponyboy ensues, Sodapop can no longer take it. He storms out of the house in complete frustration. When they find him, Soda reveals that he feels like he is "the middleman in a tug o' war" (175). He feels like he cannot take either side so he is caught between a rock and a hard place. He says that "Darry yells too much and tries to hard and takes everything too serious, and Ponyboy, you don't think enough, you don't realize all Darry's giving up just to give you a chance he missed out on" (177-76).
What does Ponyboy end up doing for his English assignment?
In the end, Ponyboy decides to write his composition on his life experiences. The reader learns that the novel is, in fact, Ponyboy's composition. We know this because the first lines of the composition, are identical to the first lines of the novel.
1. Why would Ponyboy rather have someone's hate than pity?
Ponyboy says he wold rather the Socs hate him than pity him. He says he hopes they "weren't full of that pity-the-victims-of-environment junk that social workers kept handing Curly Shepard" (162). Ponyboy has seen how demeaning that can be, and he does not want to be seen like that.
Why does Randy come to visit Pony? What does he discover through their conversation?
Randy first said he was going to check on pony but ends up going because he is scared about the upcoming trial. Randy tells Pony that "it's the first time he's felt anything in a long time". During their discussion Randy learns the Ponyboy's parents are dead and that the judge might move Ponyboy out of his home.
How do we know that Sandy did not love Soda as much as he loved her?
Soda loved Sandy and wanted to Mary her but "she just left" (174). She went to florida not thinking about how soda felt.
Discuss the importance of narrative point of view in The Outsiders.
The narrative point of view used in this novel is first person narration through the character - Ponyboy. While the narration of the novel is important and allows greater insight into the main character, we learn in these chapters how important the narration really is. In the end, the reader learns that this novel's narration has been a written composition by Ponyboy to his English teacher.
Discuss the changes in characterization of Ponyboy from the beginning of the novel compared to his reaction to the Socs approaching him in chapter 12. What do you think caused this change?
Throughout most of the novel, Ponyboy shows very little interest in violence or crime. In chapter 12, after Johnny's death, the reader sees a different side of Ponyboy. When he is approached by Socs looking to start a fight, he immediately turns to violence by breaking a bottle and threatening them. This is uncharacteristic of Pony and shows the bitterness that is creeping in after his traumatic experiences.