The Outsiders Essay Questions

Please formulate your responses in complete paragraphs using complete sentences and supporting details. Depending on the question your answer should have 3-4 paragraphs.
Remember to use at least one quote from the book for your book.

Good Luck!

     1. One of the themes of the book is “loss of innocence.” Explain this. Who and why? How is this “shown” in the book without coming right out and saying it? Why is that an important message?
     2. Johnny tells Pony to tell Dallas about sunsets. Sunsets are an important symbol in the book. What do they represent? What does Dallas need to know about them that Pony, Cherry and Johnny already know?
    3. A key message in this book is the value of family. How do the boys define family? What makes a good family? What role do adults play in this book? What role does each of the boys play in the “family?”
    4. Key symbols in the book are the colors. What colors are important? What do they represent? How does Hinton use them throughout the book? (hint: use the poem!)
    5. The title of the book was carefully chosen. No other title was ever considered. Explain the title and its meaning as it relates to the story and to real life (your real life).
    6. Beyond the obvious physical reasons for Johnny’s and Dallas’ death, the author chose for them to die to illustrate a point. What was that point? Why does she have to use such an extreme to make that point? Was there another, perhaps more effective way to make the point? Was Dallas’ death a suicide? What do you know his character that leads you to believe that?
     7. An important concept in the book is “ the hero”. How is a hero defined? Who is the hero in this book? (there may be more than one). What makes him/her a hero? Are there heroes in your life? Who are they? Why?