The Outsiders — Chapter 10

About This Passage

After Johnny dies in the hospital, Dally robs a grocery store and runs from the police. He calls the gang for help, but when they reach the lot they see Dally raise an unloaded gun at the officers — daring them to shoot. Pony understands instantly: Dally has chosen this. Johnny was the one thing Dally truly loved, and with Johnny gone, Dally has nothing left to keep him soft. Hinton tells the scene through Pony's eyes — the slow crumple, the grim triumph, the helpless plea. Two friends die in one night.

Narration Prompt

Narrate Chapter 10 in your own words. Walk through Pony's stunned walk home, the kind stranger in the car, the gang gathered bandaged in the living room, the news of Johnny, the phone call from Dally, and the death scene at the lot. Then describe Pony's days of sickness, his conversations with Darry and Soda, and the moment Soda crawls into bed beside him at the end.

Discussion Questions

1. Pony tells himself again and again that Johnny is not really dead. What in the story shows that his mind is using denial to protect him from a sadness that is too big?
2. When Dally calls and says he has just robbed a grocery store, the whole gang runs out the door without arguing. How can you tell Pony understands at once that Dally is heading toward something terrible?

+ 3 more questions in the complete study guide