The Outsiders: Chapters 1-3
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Reading Guide (Chapters 1-3)
1. In what ways are the greasers different from Socs? 3 specific examples. (Chapter 1)
2. In what ways does Dallas Winston differ from his friends? 2 specific examples. (Chapter1)
3. What has happened to Johnny Cade that makes him special to his friends? (Chapter 2)
4. What were 2 things you learned about Ponyboy that makes him different from other Greasers?
(Chapter 2)
5. What does Cherry Valance tell Ponyboy in defense of the Socs and their behaviors? (Chapter 2)
6. Due to the experiences that Ponyboy has in life, why can’t he accept her opinion of the Socs? (infer)
7. According to Cherry, what makes the Socs different from the Greasers emotionally? Why are they
separated? (Chapter 3)
Following the Characters (Chapters 1-3)
Below: Choose one of the three quotes and state who said it and also explain what the quote means.
Chapter 2: “I’ll bet you think the Socs have it made. The rich kids, the West-side Socs. I’ll tell you
something, Ponyboy, and it may come as a surprise. We have troubles you’ve never even heard of. You
want to know something?...Things are rough all over.”
Chapter 3: “We’re always going and going and going, and never asking where. Did you ever hear of
having more than you wanted? So that you couldn’t want anything else and then started looking for
something else to want? It seems like we’re always searching for something else to satisfy us, and never
finding it. Maybe if we could lose our cool we could.”
Chapter 3: “… I gotta do something. It seems like there’s gotta be someplace without greasers or Socs,
with just people. Plain ordinary people.”
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What do we learn about the character who said the quote?
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Follow the Theme: Circle a thematic statement to follow throughout the book. Write two details
from the text so far that support the theme from chapters 1-3. Then explain how your details tie into
your theme.
1. Being different can be challenging in life.
2. Family relationships can be very difficult.
3. Losing your innocence is inevitable.
Detail 1: _____________________________________________________________________________
Detail 2: _____________________________________________________________________________
How do your details tie into your theme? Explain
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