Chapters 7 and 8: Character metaphor mini-poster

Johnny is... 

As nervous as a cat tail in a room full of rocking chairs

like a frightened rabbit being yelled at 

     Chapters 9 and 10: Quote Analysis

Quote:“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.” Pg 117

Context: Randy delivers these lines in Chapter 7 when he tells Ponyboy that he will not be fighting in the rumble.

Paraphrase:  By stating that the members of both groups will always remain in their respective groups, he suggests that it would be impossible for a greaser or a Soc to rise above his current status

Inference: Having grown up in a wealthy and comfortable environment, it would not be difficult for him to imagine himself forever stuck in this lifestyle.

Quote: “You take up for your buddies, no matter what they do.  When you’re a gang, you stick up for the members.  If you don’t stick up for them, stick together, make like brothers, it isn’t a gang anymore.  It’s a pack.” -Ponyboy (p.26)

Context: Ponyboy explains to himself after the greasers help him fight off the socs.

Paraphrase: The whole greasers are clearly friends, sticking by each other through thick and thin, caring and defending each other.  

Inference: They all support each other and stick up for another shows that the characters are responsible and caring fr each other. 

Quote: Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.

Context: As he lies dying in Chapter 9, Johnny Cade speaks these words to Ponyboy. 

Paraphrase:  poem that Ponyboy recites to Johnny when the two hide out in the Windrixville Church. One line in the poem reads, “Nothing gold can stay,” meaning that all good things must come to an end. 

Inference: The friendship between Jonny and Ponyboy has become stronger at the church. During this blissful time, the two boys read, talk, and smoke, escaping the adult world of responsibility. 

The Outsiders 2014

The First Impressions:

My first impression of this book is how it set in the earyly 80's or even the late 70's. The main character, Ponyboy, is a "greaser." His older brother, Darry, is the main "greaser." They have, what I think of it as, a turf war. There are gangs that fight. The Socs are the "bad boys" in the town. The Outsiders is about the life of a 14-year-old boy. The novel tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis and his struggles with right and wrong in a society in which he believes that he is an outsider. Ponyboy and his two brothers, Darry, who is 20, and Soda pop, who is 16 have recently lost their parents in an automobile accident. Pony and Soda are allowed to stay under Darry's guardianship as long as they all behave themselves. As i read more the story tells you about two groups, one that was given everything and another that had to work for just a little respect. We had to step right into the life of a socs or a greaser. If you are trying to pick a good book this is the book that will most likely change your mind about everything.

My first impression of Ponyboy is that he is a good person. It seems he needs some common sense, but is perfectly fine. For Sodapop, I thought he was a kind person that could also be serious. I think Darry is a working person and almost like a firm, emotionless father. For the rest of the gang I think that none of them are that bad except for Dally. Dally stood out to me because it sounded like he was the toughest one there and had the most fights and experience.

Chapter 1 and 2:

1.With what social group does Ponyboy identify himself from the first paragraph of the book. How is he like the others in his group? How is he different from his peer group?

In the beginning of the book Pony Boy identifies his social group and himself as greasers. Ponyboy is fourteen years old and a greaser on the East Side, the poor side of town. They are known for their long, greased hair. The brothers also belong to a small, tightly neighborhood gang. Pony Boy is different from the rest of the greases because he is intelligent, sensitive and aware that an education can lead to better things. Unlike Darry, who has lost his chance to attend college, and Soda, who has dropped out of high school, Pony's future is still bright. He makes good grades in school

2.    Discuss Ponyboy's family. Who are his family members and what are they like? What is Pony's relationship with each of his brothers?

 Ponyboy lives with his two brothers Darry and Sodapop , Darry is strict and strong but Darry works hard to provide for his family, and because he is the oldest brother, he feels a responsibility toward making sure Ponyboy does well at school and makes good choices. Sodapop is handsome and understanding . There family had fallen apart after there parents past away from a car crash accident. Ponyboy's relationships with his two brothers are different because. Ponyboy and Soda have a very close relationship, because Sodapop is a very good listener.  He comforts Ponyboy through difficult times. Even though "Darry yells too much and tries too hard and takes everything too serious," he has Ponyboy's best interests at heart .

3.    Who are the other "members" of Pony's social group? Describe each person.

Sodapop

Ponyboy's second-oldest brother, who is sixteen. Ponyboy describes him as "always happy-go-lucky and grinning." He is extraordinarily handsome with a "finely drawn, sensitive face that somehow manages to be reckless and thoughtful at the same time."

Darry

Ponyboy's oldest brother, who is twenty. He works as a roofer. Ponyboy describes him as someone who is hard and firm and rarely grins at all. He was the captain of the football team in high school and won a college scholarship, but had to work to take care of the family.

Two-Bit Mathews

Two-Bit, whose real name is Keith, earned his nickname because "you couldn't shut that guy up. He is the oldest member of the the greaser gang, and "the wisecracker of the bunch." He is famous for shop-lifting everything he can, including his black-handled switchblade, which he is also known for. As Ponyboy describes him, "He was about six feet tall, stocky in build, and very proud of his long rusty-colored sideburns.

Dally

Dally's real name is Dallas Winston, He is a jockey, he is only seventeen years old. He is the toughest member of the greaser gang. Ponyboy describes him as having "an elfish face, with high cheekbones and a pointed chin, small, sharp animal teeth, and ears like a lynx. His hair was almost white it was so blond, and he didn't like haircuts, or hair oil either, so it fell over his forehead in wisps and kicked out in the back in tufts and curled behind his ears and along the nape of his neck. His eyes were blue, blazing ice, cold with a hatred of the whole world."

Steve Randle

Soda's best friend, but Ponyboy doesn't like him much. He is "seventeen, tall and lean," cocky, and smart.

Johnny

Johnny Cade is the second-youngest in the greaser gang, besides Ponyboy. He is "smaller than the rest, with a slight build. He had big black eyes in a dark tanned face; his hair was jet-black and heavily greased and combed to the side, but it was so long that it fell in shaggy bangs across his forehead. He had a nervous, suspicious look in his eyes... He was the gang's pet, everyone's kid brother.

4.    When Cherry said, "Things are rough all over,” what did she mean?

In Cherry’s statement “ Things are rough all over”, this could mean that everyone at that time had to live in harsh conditions and had to manage to survive no matter what happens towards a person actions. She is also saying that this is what everyone has go through in life at that time.

Chapter 3 and 4- Jonny’s Point of View Piece

It is 2:30 in the morning when Ponyboy and I was walking through the quiet and dark park. It is cold and Ponyboy wasn't dressed correctly for this weather. We heard a loud horn came from the distance. My heart and Ponyboy's was bounding off our own chest as we heard the terrifying noise coming from the unknown mist. I started breathing really heavily when I had relished it was the same blue mustang that pulled up earlier had rolled up again. 

Not long after we heard foot steps from the unknown shadows.“They came back to get even with us for hanging out with the girls”, Ponyboy said. Bob and his gang came towards us from the shadow with a shear hate. I told Ponyboy don’t panic, all I wished was that someone like Dally was here to help or even the gang. But Ponyboy and I had to face this like real men, I was terrified and scared as I watched Pony boy stumped his cigarette into the ground and suggested we should run but it was too late, as I feel the cold weather rushing through my body causing goose bumps i just remembered my switchblade on the back of my pocket.

I was stiff to move and had my fingers squeezed together as I get more frighten and as we backed up against the fountain slowly. Then suddenly, the Socs came towards Ponyboy and tries to drown him in the fountain water filled with coins that sank onto the bottom. Not long after, I can hear Ponyboy screaming for help and almost out of breath. At that moment, without hesitation I pulled out my switchblade and quickly stabbed Bob. 

Straight after I was in shocked, the others all run away except for Bob, the boyfriend of one the girls. He was lying dead on the ground. My hand was the covered in blood so was the switchblade that I drop straight after i stabbed bob. The whole world has stopped as a think back. I watched Ponyboy come up from the cold water and take the biggest breath and coughs up some water. Not long after, he had a glanced at what happen. I can tell he was in shocked and surprise as he take a few seconds at this scene full with blood and fear, for a second I felt dizzy and my stomach felt like it was going to explode from the inside out. I said to myself with fear” what have I done”.  The wind blowing of the tress and the birds shadows a reflection i see from Bob's blood. Ponyboy and I panic and left the crime scene as fast as possible. 

Blog Post 4) Poem Analysis from Chp 5, pg 77

Nothing Gold Can Stay - by Robert Frost

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf,
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day
Nothing gold can stay.

This poem is explaining anything we hold precious in life as gold won't last forever, the way in which things can seem so perfect but will all eventually give way. But there's another level that this poem has spoken to me on, with the first two message "Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold." green means youth in nature, and that youth is valuable.  However, it is also the hardest color to hang on to.  Green does not last. Youth will always be corrupted. 

How this poem relates to the book is when Ponyboy see's the beautiful of gold through having fun with his friends and going to the movies with the girls with his perfect life.  This symbolizes the boys’ youth and innocence and how they were not able to hold onto it. It also when Johnny tells Ponyboy to "Stay Gold", he is telling him to stay perfect, good, innocent, etc. But Ponyboy's life has consequences to him knowing nothing gold can stay.

Chapters 7 and 8: Character metaphor mini-poster

Johnny is... 

As nervous as a cat tail in a room full of rocking chairs

like a frightened rabbit being yelled at 

Chapters 9 and 10: Quote Analysis

1. Quote:“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.” Pg 117

Context: Randy delivers these lines in Chapter 7 when he tells Ponyboy that he will not be fighting in the rumble.

Paraphrase:  By stating that the members of both groups will always remain in their respective groups, he suggests that it would be impossible for a greaser or a Soc to rise above his current status

Inference: Having grown up in a wealthy and comfortable environment, it would not be difficult for him to imagine himself forever stuck in this lifestyle.

2. Quote: “You take up for your buddies, no matter what they do.  When you’re a gang, you stick up for the members.  If you don’t stick up for them, stick together, make like brothers, it isn’t a gang anymore.  It’s a pack.” -Ponyboy (p.26)

Context: Ponyboy explains to himself after the greasers help him fight off the socs.

Paraphrase: The whole greasers are clearly friends, sticking by each other through thick and thin, caring and defending each other.  

Inference: They all support each other and stick up for another shows that the characters are responsible and caring fr each other. 

3. Quote: Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.

Context: As he lies dying in Chapter 9, Johnny Cade speaks these words to Ponyboy. 

Paraphrase:  poem that Ponyboy recites to Johnny when the two hide out in the Windrixville Church. One line in the poem reads, “Nothing gold can stay,” meaning that all good things must come to an end. 

Inference: The friendship between Jonny and Ponyboy has become stronger at the church. During this blissful time, the two boys read, talk, and smoke, escaping the adult world of responsibility. 

The Outsiders- Plot Diagram

Podcast- Metal Robot FM

PODCAST TRANSCRIPT
Zac: Ponyboy 
Liam: Sodapop 
Palmer: Radio Host

(ending  music)

Radio host: Goooooood afternooooooon and welcome to METAL ROBOT FM radio station with the greatest hits all the time,  today we are going to be interviewing two very special guest’s by the name of Ponyboy and Sodapop (clapping sound)

Radio host: how is it going guys?

Soda: great happy to be here

pony: all good nice to meet you

radio host: thats good im glad to have you guys here, so today we are going to ask you guys a couple of questions it’s that alright with you?

pony: yeah sounds good

soda: yeah its all good with me too

radio host: thats great i'll first start off with pony boy

soda: break a leg hahaha

   So Ponyboy (continue with Q 1)

Ponyboy (ZAC)

Q.1. Tell us about yourself Ponnyboy- if that’s fine with you?

A.Ya that's fine with me, I am 18 years old now but still finds my self shy and embarrassed hanging out with my friends sometimes because the stuff they do in public. I like sports, movies and reading books. i think that sums up me.

Q.2. What is it like been the youngest out of the gang?

A. Well. In some ways I like it being the youngest of the gang, It gives me even more experience and more knowledge about mistake or trouble the other makes give me and advantage to learn from it. They are also always aware when I get into big trouble or fights.

Q.3. how is it living with only 2 older brothers?

A. Well the truth is it has it positive and negatives, the positive things about it is I don’t have to worry about being responsible and alone in this world with two older brothers taking care of me and giving support on my decision. The negative things about it is sometimes they both especially Darry can get a bit hard on me, by punching and calling me names. But after time our relationship grew stronger and we take care of our backs from trouble or danger.

Q.4.what is it like being in a gang?

A. Being in a gang feels like we are family, we know each other. Being in a gang feels like you a part of something real. We always have each other backs when it comes to fights or trouble. But we do our best to avoid such things except being in fights, that’s one main about being in gang, you make enemies. I guess..      

Q.5. what was it like when your parents died.

A. Well the emotions that went through me was mostly all the sad and heartbreaking emotions you can think off. It was unexpected and surprising when I found my parents in a car accident. I felt like I am all alone in the world, but I am glad I have 2 older brothers who takes good care of me and makes sure i do good in school. Since Sodapop works at a gas station and Darry roofs houses we can afford to pay the rent and survive in the city.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Q.6.what did you do when the fire started at the church?

A. First I think I looked at Johnny face and his reaction towards what was happening to the church, I was surprised and quickly thought it was the cigarette that started this mess from the first place. At that moment we both heard kids screaming for help, we both had no hesitation and jump through the one of the windows, if I could remember we saved all the children in the church by the window with a little help from Dally.

Q.7. It alright, what emotions were you feeling when Johnny died if you don’t mind”?

A.  The emotions that I felt was something I never felt before, sad, scared, mad, all the emotions was to hard to explain but mainly being really sad.. Like the whole world just stopped. The impact of all emotions got me crying and disappointed as I watched my good friend like Johnny has passed away. At the same time I had a glanced of our memories together in the church and our relationship at the past.

Q.8. What was going through your mind during the last rumble between the Socs?

1. The last rumble between socs felt like it all happen in a few seconds, at first I was excited to fight but not long after I felt scared.. During the rumble the main things going through my head was not being knocked out by one of the Socs, at one stage I thought about eating burgers with the gang and Johnny. But really nothing came to my head that much I probably felt pain from the Socs. I didn't really thought about anything.

Q.9. What went through your mind when Dally got shot?

A. What went through my mind was something that was expected to happen to a guy like Dally, I think we all had a feeling it would happen sooner or later but I didn’t thought it would be at this moment after Jonny die. I was in shocked and my emotions was unstable. Both of my friends, as greaser who were like my family had passed away in front of my eyes. It was a horrible experience to go through that had big effects on my grades and my life for about 2 months.

Q.10. what plans do you have for the future?

A. As I come and think of it, my main plans for the future is to learn and focus towards school, receiving better grades on most subjects and getting a scholarship. But something I will carry to the future is Johnny's wise words before he passed away it would give me the determination and confidence to be a successful author and to publish my books in the future.

Sodapop:

Q.what was it like when your parents died?

A. well when my parents died it was really tough on me and my brothers especially ponyboy he took it the worst out of all of us, after they died both Darry and i had to take up a lot of responsibilities but Darry pretty much became our Dad, he was always making sure we were safe and he always knew where we were. I started taking a job to help Darry with the money to pay for our food and all our needs    

Q. What is it like when you are calle a hood?

A. It gets me so mad when people call me and the other greasers hoods, we arent hoods in the lest, we only fight other people because they come to our turf and mess with our friends so we mess with them. People just assume we are hoods because of the way we look. But the only good thing is that not many people mess with us because they think we are hoods.

Q. what’s it like live with your 3 brothers?

A. Here’s how i see it, just imagine you got to live your 3 best friends how fun does that sound? well thats how i feel, even though we argue sometimes we always patch things up hand have a laugh at the end of the day no matter how mad we get at eachother.

Q. what is it like being in a gang?

A. i wouldn't say that we are a gang i just see us as a band of brothers who have each other's backs, and the only rain we fight with the Soc’s is because they mess with our brothers and they keep choosing to come back over and over again so yeah thats how i see it.

Q. how do you see Ponyboy?

A. oh man pony is my little brother and my best friend, me and him are always together no matter what and i would do anything for the little bugger but i always also treat him as my

Q. what have you planned for the future?

A. I dont really know, all i really want is for pony to be really successful in life and not drop out of school and i don't really have any plans cause im happy the way i am and im sure Darry isnt to sad about looking after pony for a couple more years.

Q. how do you see your older brother Darry?

A. My older brother Darry is like my dad and he is like my best friend as well, he gives me discipline but also like to joke around with me. even though he comes of real cocky and arrogant and he can even be mean sometimes, i know him well enough to know that he only means good for pony and I.

Q. do you like living with your brothers?

A. Yeah its great, we always have a laugh and we all get along pretty well except the occasional argument between pony and Darry, other than that its pretty good.

Q. what was going through your mind during the fight?

A. To be honest not much was going through my mind except beat the Soc’s and make sure pony didn't get to hurt. Secretly i’ve always wanted a big final brawl to happen between us and the Soc’s so we can finally show those rich west side kids that we are tougher than them. it felt so good to see them running away.

Q. what went through your mind when Dally got shot?

A. Daly getting shot was the most shocking thing i've seen, look i know that he was in the wrong by pulling out a toy gun but i know that he wanted to die because he couldn't stand the fact that johnny was gone and he was just so different after he died, in my eyes he died a hero, for years and years he has been like a big brother to all of us and he was always backing us up and he always was standing up for us no matter when we did. he would even take the  fall and went to jail for some of the stuff that we did, i’m just really sad that he is gone.

sorry to hear but thats all we’ve got for today thank you boys for coming down and i hope to see you guys soon.

pony: thanks for having us here.

soda: yeah its been good.

radio host: Alright thanks for tuning into Metal Robot radio station with the greatest hits all the time and the is Andy Andrews signing out. (song plays)