The Outsiders — Chapter 8

About This Passage

In Chapter 8, Dally is in the hospital and asks Two-Bit for his switchblade. Two-Bit hands it over without asking why. Hinton spends a whole paragraph on the knife — how Two-Bit got it (by stealing it, slowly, on purpose), how proud he is of it, how he never even uses it for fighting, only for showing off. The knife is treasured. And yet when Dally needs it, Two-Bit gives it up immediately. The passage shows what loyalty looks like in this gang: your prize possession is not really yours when your buddy needs it.

Narration Prompt

Tell the story of Chapter 8 in your own words. Talk about the visit to Johnny in the hospital — what he asked for, what his mother did, what he said about being scared. Then tell about the visit to Dally and the switchblade. Then tell about Pony feeling sick, the bus ride home, and meeting Cherry. What did Cherry tell Pony about the rumble? Why would she not visit Johnny? What did Pony say at the end about the sunset?

Discussion Questions

1. Two-Bit hands over his prize switchblade to Dally without asking why. What does this tell us about how the gang shows love? Find another moment in the chapter where someone gives without asking questions.
2. Why does Cherry say she cannot visit Johnny? Use her own words from the chapter to explain her reason. What is the difference between not loving someone and not being able to face them?

+ 3 more questions in the complete study guide