The Outsiders During Reading Activities November 2009

Chapter 2 and 3 Aim: Weighing the truth and/or significance of a character’s assertions As the story progresses, Ponyboy, as narrator, makes several comments about what things mean; he interprets and explains events. Some of his explanations reflect his view of the world and life. The comments of some of the other characters express their views of life.

Statements that Reflect Viewpoints on Life Select one of the statements from the following list. Think about the statement’s meaning. What ideas come to your mind as you read the statement? What views of life are being expressed? Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

Statements that Reflect Viewpoints on Life One a piece of notebook paper, write your name, the date, and the heading Statements that Reflect Viewpoints on Life Julie Freese November 9, 2009 Statements that Reflect Viewpoints on Life

Write notes in response to the questions below: What ideas come to mind when you read the statement? What view of life is being expressed? Do you agree? Do you disagree? Explain.

Speeches Once you have finished your notes, be prepared to share out your comments in the form of a short speech. Your speech should include the following: What view of life is being expressed, whether or not you agree/disagree with the statement, what comes to mind when you read the statement.

Ms. Freese’s Example The statement “Our one rule, besides Stick together, is Don’t get caught”(29) expresses a view on life that is based on a gang as family mentality. Many of the Greasers don’t have stable home lives. For example, Ponyboy, Sodapop and Darry no longer have parents, and are left to fend for themselves. Johnny’s father is abusive, while his mother often ignores him. Two-Bit’s mom has to work hard to support him and his brother, and isn’t around much, and Steve has a problematic relationship with his father. As a result of a lack of family support, the Greasers have developed a support system in their gang that they believe extends beyond friendship. In order to create a stable system, the gang has a set of rules. One of those rules is to not get caught and to stick together. This view of life emphasizes the importance of support from a group. I agree with this statement to a certain extent. I think that it is important to have people in your life who encourage you, and who you know will support you. I don’t agree with the rule don’t get caught because I think that one of the best ways to learn and grow is from our mistakes.

Chapter Three Aim: To understand how character conflict advances plot structure. In “Chapter Three” the conflicts are intensified. Ponyboy realizes that Cherry’s boyfriend Bob is probably the boy in the Mustang who beat up Johnny.

Chapter Three Now, Bob and his friend have found their girlfriends walking with Greasers. Ponyboy expresses his feelings about Darry to the others. Finally, when Ponyboy gets home late, he and Darry get into a fight, and Ponyboy runs away. Although Ponyboy decides to return home, the chapter ends with his comment, “Things gotta get better, I figured. They couldn’t get worse. I was wrong”(52).

Chapter Three During this activity we are going to try to get into a character’s head, and imagine what he is thinking. Select a different topic from the following list. What would the person say? Why would he say this? Refer to and include what the person in the text says about this topic. Explain the reasons you think, from reading between the lines, that the person feels or believes what he does.

What is a monologue? Monologues are a way to get inside characters’ thoughts. This device allows the reader to access the character’s thoughts and motivations more intimately since readers learn what the characters say only to themselves.

Features of the Monologue Genre Includes ellipses and dashes to indicate speech patterns Stage directions in parentheses

Definition of a Monlogue A monologue is- An extended and uninterrupted speech by a character. The character may be speaking his or her thoughts aloud, directly or indirectly addressing another character or speaking to an audience.

Examples

Writing Your Monologue Turn and talk to your partner, discuss the aspects of the character you want to reveal, and the viewpoint you want to express. Next, decide what parts of the text you will use in your monologue. You can convert narrative description into something a character says. Finally, write out the monologue, what you think the character would say about the topic.

Plot Topics for Monolgues Ponyboy speaks on his view of Darry and the way Darry treats him. Darry speaks on his view of Ponyboy and the way Ponboy treats him. Soda speaks on his view of the conflict between Ponyboy and Darry. Johnny speaks on his view of the conflict between Ponyboy and Darry. Bob speaks on his view of finding the girls with the Greasers. Cherry speaks on her view of Ponyboy, Johnny and what she has discovered about their problems. She also gives an account of her decision to ride home with Bob. Two-Bit speaks on his view of the bitterness Ponyboy expresses about the unfairness of life and about Darry. He also explains his feelings about Marcia.

Ms. Freese’s Example

Freewrite # 2 Ponyboy says it’s not just money that separates the Socs from the Greasers; “It’s feelings—the Socs don’t feel anything and the greasers feel too violently.” If you agree with this, give examples from the text; if you don’t agree with it tell why you disagree.

Chapters 4 and 5 Aim: Weighting the truth or significance of a character’s assertions During “Chapter 5,” Ponyboy discusses several topics that people have opposing views on. For instance, Ponyboy is upset about his haircut and thinks about the reasons hairstyle and clothing matter so much. Some people see hairstyle and clothes as a statement of identity; people use appearance to express who they are. Other people believe too much emphasis is placed on style, and too much money is wasted on clothes.

Characterization Select a topic from the following list. In your groups discuss the following questions: What are Ponyboy’s main points on the topic? Do you agree with him? Why? Why not? List the reasons and examples which support your positions. Each group will present its beliefs about the topic to the rest of the class. After each presentation, we will discuss the topic as a class.

Chapter 5 Aim: Understanding how allusions and imagery create meaning in a literary text. On pages 76-77, Ponyboy wakes early, sits on the steps of the church, and watches the approach of dawn. He says he wishes he “had some paint to do a picture with while the sight was still fresh in his mind”(77).

Allusions When Johnny arrives, Ponyboy makes an allusion to Robert Frost’s poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” 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.

Allusions Write a two-paragraph essay discussing the meaning on Robert Frost’s poem and its relationship to Ponyboy’s present situation. Use at least two specific quotes from the text to support your argument. Your essay should include a thesis statement stating your argument.

Thesis Handout Jim Burke’s handout on creating a thesis statement.

Freewrite #3 When she is acting as a spy for the Greasers, do you think Cherry is doing the right thing? Is it something you would do under the same circumstances? Why or why not?