THE OUTSIDERS - Page 2 of 3 - book summaries and study materials

Character Analysis Sherri (Cherry) Valance

To Pony, Cherry Valance typifies the perfect Soc girlfriend. And she is, perhaps, until her boyfriend, Bob, is killed. Cherry, a cheerleader, attends the same high school as Ponyboy. She is cute, rich, and stands up for what she believes in. Through Pony’s friendship with Cherry, he begins to see […]

Character Analysis Dallas (Dally) Winston

S.E. Hinton

Dally Winston had been in gangs in New York City before joining the greasers. He is Ponyboy’s least favorite member of the gang, and Pony considers him “tougher, colder, meaner.” Johnny and Pony turn to Dally when they need help escaping after Johnny kills Bob. Dally is there for them, […]

Character Analysis Johnny Cade

S.E. Hinton

Johnny Cade is “the gang’s pet.” The novel describes Johnny as a “lost puppy” and a “puppy that has been kicked too many times.” He is only 16 years old, but has already been beaten down by the cruelty of life. Johnny had been severely beaten by a group of […]

Character Analysis Darry and Sodapop Curtis

S.E. Hinton

Darry and Sodapop Curtis are Ponyboy’s older brothers who, along with being greasers, are adjusting to life on their own. Darry has taken over the responsibility of guardianship, forfeiting college and working to enable the three of them to stay together. Soda, never very good in school, has dropped out […]

Character Analysis Ponyboy Curtis

S.E. Hinton

Ponyboy Curtis is a 14-year-old boy whose world has been turned upside down. His parents were killed in an automobile accident just eight months before The Outsiders story takes place. He lives with his oldest brother, Darry, who is 20 years old and has legal custody of him and his […]

Summary and Analysis Chapter 12

S.E. Hinton

Summary 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 […]

Summary and Analysis Chapter 11

S.E. Hinton

Summary 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 […]

Summary and Analysis Chapter 10

S.E. Hinton

Summary 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 […]

Summary and Analysis Chapter 9

S.E. Hinton

Summary 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 […]

Summary and Analysis Chapter 8

S.E. Hinton

Summary 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. […]