1. As the boys are preparing to leave for the rumble, Ponyboy no longer feels proud of the things that used to matter to him, like being identified as a “hood” and having long, greasy hair. He also notices that Darry doesn’t fit the traditional Greaser mold. List some of the things mentioned in this chapter that show Darry is more than the“Greaser” label shows. 2. Ponyboy doesn’t want to fight at all, but he realizes that: Soda fights for . (fun)Steve fights for. (hatred) Darry fights for . (pride)Two-Bit fights for. (conformity)3. What’s the difference between Tim Shepard’s gang and Darry’s gang? Explain how this difference might give the Curtis brothers and their friends an advantage in life. Shepard’s gang is more like one of those animal packs that Ponyboy described earlier in the novel. Tim is the clear leader and the rest of his gang are ruled/bullied by him. For Ponyboy’s group of Greaser friends, Darry is the leader because he’s the oldest and the smartest, but he doesn’t rule over them. Each boy does his own thing and rules himself. They are more of a band of brothers than a pack of animals. Their union, Ponyboy figures, will better serve them because they can all count on each other, but still be individuals and do what each needs to do for himself.4. What’s ironic about Paul Holden being the first Soc to step up to Darry’s challenge? 5. Describe the comparison that Ponyboy makes between Darry/Paul at the beginning of the rumble and a scene from a Jack London novel. How is this an appropriate description of the scene? Ponyboy says that Darry and Paul circle each other, waiting for the first strike to being the rumble. This is just how two warring wolf packs would begin, with the alpha-male from each group sizing each other up before the first strike. The comparison shows that the young men are becoming animalistic here, lowered to their base instincts to fight over territory. Several times, Ponyboy has made the comparison between gangs and pack animals. The difference, of course, is that humans also have logic and reason, something that Ponyboy is using when the other boys are not. None of this, unfortunately, prevents Ponyboy from joining in on the battle.6. What were Johnny’s last words to Ponyboy? What did Johnny mean? ohnny says, “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.” He was referencing the Robert Frost poem Ponyboy recited while they were at the old church. He wants Ponyboy to stay golden, optimistic, hopeful for the future. He doesn’t want Ponyboy’s shine to fade or his heart to harden.
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