The Outsiders — Chapter 3

About This Passage

Listen carefully to the adverbs Hinton gives her boys: miserably, fiercely, passionately. In three sentences she shows us the whole emotional life of this gang. Ponyboy has just said something cruel to Johnny, and he knows it. Johnny accepts the cruelty with a bleak grin because he already believes he is not wanted at home. Two-Bit steps in — not tenderly, but fiercely — because tenderness is not a word greasers are allowed to use. And Ponyboy turns his guilt outward into the cry that something, somewhere, is not fair. Hinton is teaching the reader how to read male love in a tough neighborhood: the kindness is hidden inside the gruffness, and the apology is buried under a shout.

Narration Prompt

In your own words, retell Chapter 3. Begin with Two-Bit offering to drive Cherry and Marcia home, move to Ponyboy's real conversation with Cherry about the difference between Socs and greasers, describe the blue Mustang stopping at the vacant lot and Bob showing his three rings, explain Ponyboy's outburst about Darry and the apology to Johnny afterward, cover Johnny's quiet line that 'at least' his father notices him when he hits him, and close with Darry slapping Ponyboy and Ponyboy running to find Johnny in the lot.

Discussion Questions

1. When Cherry asks Ponyboy what his oldest brother is like, Ponyboy bursts out that Darry 'is hard as a rock and about as human' and wants to 'stick me in a home somewhere.' Later, safe in bed is exactly what Ponyboy wants. What does Hinton show you about Ponyboy's feelings for Darry by letting him say the mean thing out loud and then, hours later, admit to himself that his home is 'heaven' compared to Johnny's?
2. Right after Ponyboy insults Darry, he turns on Johnny and says, 'We all know you ain't wanted at home, either. And you can't blame them.' Johnny winces 'as though I'd belted him.' Two-Bit slaps Ponyboy. Why do you think Hinton makes Ponyboy hurt the person he loves most at the exact moment he is feeling small and ashamed? What is she saying about how people sometimes treat their closest friends when their own lives feel unfair?

+ 3 more questions in the complete study guide