Sunday, May 13, 2007

CHAPTeR12 :)))

Q1: What 'circumstances' do Ponyboy's teacher refer to? What circumstances does Ponyboy think his teacher is referring to?
A1: The circumstances that Ponyboy's teacher was referring to were the fact that Pony has had a last couple of rough weeks. He suffered two losses and being sick. He needed time to do damage control. Pony thought that his teacher was referring to all the trouble he's been in. Pony looked at all the negative things that happened and assumed that thats what his teacher meant.

Q2: Why doesn't Ponyboy feel scared when the socs approach him and he threatens them with a broken bottle (p.170-171)? How is this a dramatic change from the Ponyboy we have seen up until this point?
A2: Ponyboy didn't feel scared when the Socs approached him because he was to sick to be scared. After all the trouble the Socs had caused him he didn't want to deal with them. He didn't want to waist his emotions on them. He was always scared of them and this time he didn't see the point of being scared, he just wanted them to leave him alone. This is different fro mthe Ponyboy we usually read about because normally he would have been worried about what they were going to do to him or afraid to stick up for himself. But this time he felt like they've already done so much to him that he should just stop worrying about it.

Q3: What does Darry mean when he says, "you don't just stop living because you lose someone" (p.173)?
A3:
When Darry says that you don't just stop living because you lose someone, he means that you can't just sit there as a depressed hermit when something bad happens. You have to learn to get back up on your feet and continue with life or else it will pass you by. Life's to short to be depressed about something you can't change you have to move on. He means that you can move on mentally and physically, but you'll always remember your past in your heart.

Q4: How do we know Sandy didn't love Soda as much as he loved her?
A4:
We know that Sandy didn't love Soda as much as he loved her because she returned his letter unopened. He poured his heart and soul into that letter, telling her his emotions and feelings and she didn't even take the time to hear what he had to say. If she really loved him, she would have at least written back. Soda truly cared about her, he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her and she didn't feel the same way.

Q5: Explain how Darry and Ponyboy play tug of war with Soda.
A5:
Darry and Ponyboy play tug of war with Soda because they're always fighting and Soda is stuck in the middle of it all. Soda hates to see them fight, he can't handle it and they are always arguing back and forth with each other forcing Soda to take sides. Thats hard for Soda because he sees both sides, how can he chose between his brothers? It makes things hard for Soda because its like hes being torn in half between the two people he loves most.

Q6: What do we learn was so special about Johnny (p.178)?
Q6:
We learned that Johnny was truly a special and rare person. He was someone that had more problems than you could think of but instead of complaining about it like everyone else, he would be there and listen to other people complain about there problems. Johnny really listens to you and really cares about what your saying. Someone like that, someone who always put other's problems before his on, is someone truly rare.

Q7: What does Ponyboy end up doing for his English assignment?
A7:
In the end, Pony ended up doing his English assignment on three people who were all very different, but at the same time similar in many ways. His theme was Bob, the handsome, dark boy with a reckless grin and a hot temper; Dallas, a tough tow-headed boy with a cigarette in his mouth and a bitter grin on his hard face; and Johnny, a quite, defeated-looking sixteen-year-old whose hair needed cutting badly and who had black eyes with a frightened expression to them. He was going to write about how over just a short period of time, all three of their lives changed. And their stories, how it really happened. He would write from the beginning, where it all unfolded. He would tell all those boys who may appear, hot tempered, tough and bitter, or defeated and frightened, that there was something better out there, that they could have better than they have, that theres still hope. He was going to help them, tell them before it was too late. He would tell their side of the story and help others not to judge so quickly about those types of boys. To teach others that we're all people who are very different, but at the same time similar in many ways.

Chapter 11 ((: ©

Vocabulary * ))

ACQUITTED: To free or clear from a charge or accusation
sentence: The innocent man acquitted himself from being charged with the murder of Maria Franklin, his elderly neighbour.

Q1: Explain why Pony might rather have anyone's hate than their pity?
A1:
Pony would much rather have someones hate than their pity because he feels that when someone gives you pity its like they feel sorry for you because they have something and you don't. They feel sorry for you because of something negative about you and not them. When someone gives you pity, it makes Pony feel helpless or like hes hit rock bottom. Pony never wants to feel like that. He would rather have someone hate him then make him feel powerless and dependent.

Q2: What do you think is going on with Pony when he says, "Johnny didn't have anything to do with Bob's getting killed"?
A2:
When Pony says that Johnny didn't have anything to do with Bob being killed, some may think that thats the concussion talking. That may be, but i also think that he meant to say that, and that statement is somewhat right. Although Johnny was the murderer, it wasn't totally his fault Bob was killed. Johnny never wanted to kill anyone, he didn't want to cause any harm. It was Bob that attacked him. The Johnny that killed Bob wasn't the real Johnny. And thats what Pony means when he says that. The Johnny that killed Bob was the scared and shaken Johnny. It was the Johnny that was just trying to defend himself. The real Johnny, the one Pony means in the statement, is the puppy-like, lovable, friendly Johnny that would never want to hurt anyone.

Friday, May 11, 2007

~ chapter 10

VoCAbULARY ~

INDIGNANTLY --> expressing strong displeasure at something considerered offensive, insulting or unjust.
sentence: The child stomped to his room with a pouty expression on his face by how indignantly his mother was treating him.

Q1: How does Pony's dreaming, or lying to himself, finallywork in this chapter?
A1:
In this chapter, Pony was lying to himself by thinking that Johnny wasn't dead. Johnny was back at the vancant lot and things were just hwo they always were. He kept telling himself that and wouldn't let any other thoughts come into his mind. This was helpful beucase it help him deal with it. It distracted him from what was reality. He convinced himself that his dreams were the truth.

Q2: Why was Johnny's dying so difficult for Dally?
A2:
Johnny's death was very difficult for Dally. Normally, Dally is a tough and hard kid who can handle anything. But in the case of Johnny's death, things were extra hard for him. Dally really cared and loved Johnny.

Q3: Why do you think Dally would have wanted to die?
A3:
I think that Dally would have wanted to die because the only thing that he ever loved was gone. In his eyes, there was nothing else worth living for. Nothing positive, nothing to love. There was no reason for him to live anymore. Dally wanted to die because in his heart, he felt his life was already over.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

chapter nine.

Q1: On the bottom of pg132 when Pony asks what kind of world it is, what comment is he making about how society judges people?
A1:
Pony is commenting about how the world judges people. He comes from a certain part of town. He isn't the richest. He's a Greaser. And he gets labeled "a fighting, greasy, drunk hood." Pony doesn't steal thing, mug people, and doesn't get drunk every night. But yet he is marked as one of those people who do, because he is a Greaser. Pony is saying that society judges people based on what they hear and what they think they see. They never take the time to know Pony, before the chose their feelings towards him.

Q2: Why do the boys fight? Why is Pony different?
A2:
Boys fight because they think it's a contest or they like the action. Its like a drag race or dance. The gang likes to fight. They fight because they build up so much rage against the other person that they need to take it out on the other person by beating their head in. Soda thinks that Darry likes to fight to show off his muscles and nice physic. Boys either fight for fun, or to prove something to everyone else, pride. Pony is different because he isn't one who enjoys fighting. Pony feels out of things. He doesn't want to hurt anyone and thinks that violence just leads to more violence. Pony doesn't like to fought, but he will if he has to. And the rumble against thew Socs is one of those times when he has to fight.

Q3: What is the difference between Tim Shepard's gang and Ponyboy's? Explain how Pony feels this difference might give his group the upper hand?
A3:
The difference between Tim Shepard's gang and Pony's gang is that Tim Shepard's gang was tough as nails and hard. Each and everyone of them enjoyed being a hood and causing trouble. Till the day Tim Shepard's gang dies, each and every one of them will be a hood. Thats where their gang and Pony's differs. Pony and Darry and other members of the Greaser don't want to be hoods all their lives. They want to get out of that part of town and do something with their lives. They don't want to be hoods when they are older. The Greasers want to go somewhere and do something with their lives while Tim Shepard's gang are happy where they are. Also Tim's gang had a leader who made them strong and tough. Tim was their leader and they did what he said. The Greasers didn't have a specific leader, they all were their own leaders. They were just buddies who stuck together. This could give the Greasers an advantage because seeings as they stuck together, they always had each other's back. If someone was in trouble in the rumble, someone would always be there to help them out. Making the Greasers even stronger.

Q4: What do you think Johnny's last words to Pony mean?
A4:
Johnny's last words were "Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold..." These words were extra special for Pony because of the time they had in the church. Pony was telling Johnny about the poem Stay Gold. Johnny and Pony were discussing it, and Pony got to see the deeper side of Johnny. These words meant to Pony that Johnny would always stay gold and stay strong. Johnny wanted Pony to do the same. Johnny was telling Pony to stay strong and pure. To always believe and strive for better things than being a hood. I think that these were probably one of the best words Johnny could have used for goodbye to Pony. It meant something to both of them that no one else would understand.

Friday, May 4, 2007

chapterrrrr 8 (:

Q1: How does what the doctor say on pg 119, foreshadow Johnn'ys condition?
A1:

The doctor says to "let them go in. He's been asking for them. It can't hurt now." When the doctor says "it can't hurt now," he is foreshadowing that "now" is too late. The damage has already been done, and there no point in keeping the in the waiting room. The doctor is saying that he's pretty much giving up hope. He says that they can go in, in such a negitive way that he is foreshadowing that Johnny's conditioncan't be very good.

Q2: "We needed Johnny as much as he needed the gang. And for the same reasons" (pg121) What do you think Pony means? What is the reason?
A2:

When Pony says that they needed the gang as much as he needed the gang he means that they are all family and when a family is seperated it affects not just the person being seperated, but hte whole family. A family is a whole unit, and when one part of he unit is gone, it affects all parts of the unit aswell. when one part of the unit is gone, the whole unit can't function or continue. That means that it will not only affect Johnny (the unit leaving) but the rest of the gang (the other parts) also.

Q3:What does Ponyboy mean when me says "We could get along without anyone but Johnny"?
A3:
When Pony says "we could get along without anyone but Johnny" he means that Johnny has a connection with every singly member of tha gang that they all don't have with eachother. They all need Johnny in their lives. If it were another member of the gang, they could get along, because Johnny ios everyones kid brother, you could say that they all love Johnny the most, and for him to be gone, it would make everyone sad.

Q4: If Darry didn't have Pony and Soda why would he be a Soc?
A4:

Darry could have ben a Soc if it wasn't for Soda and Pony because he had the whole "Soc" package. Aside from not a having alot of money, Darry was too smart to be a Greaser. He was great at football, and could have gone on to university or collage. But becuase of the gang, and because of little money, and because he had to take care of Soda and Pony, he didn't go to collage and was a Greaser.

Q5: What does Cherry mean when she says bob "wasn't just anyone" on pg.129?
A5:
When Cherry says that Bob wasn't just anyone, she meant that Bob didn't just only havea bad side, the side that the gang saw, he was also a really nice and kind guy with a good side. Bob was special. He had a special somthig about him that made people like him and follow him. Bob had somthing that made him different than anyone else. He had a leadership quality about him. When Cherry said that Bob wasn't just anyone, she wasn't just referring to his character and personality. When she said Bob wasn't just anyone, she meant that he wasn't just anyone to her. She saw something special in Bob. She and Bob had a speical connection, that some might call love. Bob was something speical to her, and to everyone who knew him.

Monday, April 30, 2007

ch#7

Q1. Explain what Pony means when he says Soda "reminds me of a colt" on p. 101.
A1:
When Pony says that Soda "reminds me of a colt" he means that Soda enjoys things that are action-packed and exciting. He get rallied up over dramatic and exhilarating things, much like a horse or colt. When exciting things happen like this, colts are the first ones to stick their nose in things and see whats going on, Soda does the same thing.

Q2: What condition is Johnny in after the fire?
A2:
Johnny is no good condition after the horrible fire. He was in critical condition to be exact. Johnny also suffered from 3rd degree burns from he fire. His back had been broken when the peice of large wood fell on him. That meant that if he did survive, he would never be able to walk again. There was a high chance that Johnny would die because of this incident, but if he dies, at least he died doing the right thing.

Q3: Why would being crippled be worse for Johnny than someone else?
A3:
Being crippled would not be good fro Johnny because that meant that he wasn't able to do much or go anywhere. He would have to stay in a house that he couldn't stand. He wouldn't be able to go out and visit the people who meant the most to him, the people that made life better. Things wouldn't be the same. This would ruin Johnny's life, but it would also have a huge affect on the rest of the gang. They would never get to see their "kid brother", they would all be depressed and things would never be the same. Being crippled would be horrible for anyone, but it would be even worse for Johnny.

Q4: "Maybe people are younger when they are asleep" (p.104). what do you think about this comment?
Q4:
The comment, "maybe people are younger when they are asleep" makes me think about what my sister looks like when she is asleep. When someone is sleeping they look innocent like an angel. They look like a gentle baby. This image might appear to people as looking younger. I agree with this because when my sister is sleeping, she isn't causing any harm, looking like a young and angelic child. But when the person is awake, they appear older again because they aren't staying quite and peacefully sitting there.

Q5: What is a juvenile delinquent (p. 107)? Find a definition on the internet, in a dictionary, or create your own based on your own knowledge.
A5:
JUVENILE DELINQUENT: a young person or minor who commits criminal offenses, vandalism, violence and cant not be controlled by parental authority. slang- juvie
IN MY OWN WORDS: to me a juvenile delinquent is a young child around my age who is going done the wrong path. They don't have a good home life and you could blame that on the parents. They don't know right from wrong or are asking for attention (probably from their parents) and they act out to get that attention. If kids like this don't get help they clould end up in alot of trouble.

Q6: Why would Two-Bit think Johnny, Dally, and Pony were heroes all along; before they saved the kids?
A6:
Two-Bit thought of Johnny Dally and Pony as heroes before they saved those kids because he knew that they had it in them all along. He always knew that they had it in them, this fire just show cased their abilities and proved it to everyone else. After all the things that they have done for the gang and all the things they've gone through, to be such good people, Two-Bit knew they were heroes from the get-go. They all have that noble, brave, super-man like qualities, and Two-Bit knows them so much that he knew they were heroes.

Q7: What was Bob's 'real' problem, according to Randy (p.116)?
A7:
According to Randy, Bob's "real" problem is his parents. Bob is a good kid, good looking, good grades and his parents think his super-son who can do no wrong, and whenever their is a problem in Bob's life it must be their fault. His parents gave into him all the time. They always thought things were they fault and thought their son was to perfect to mess up. He would to do something so bad that most parents would flip, but his parents did nothing to him and blamed themselves. Bob just wanted his parents or anyone to tell him no, tell him he did something bad and punish him. But no one ever did. This made Bob do even more stupid things and ended up in his death.

Q8: Why did Pony think it was better to see socs as "just guys" on p. 118? What do you think he means by this?
A8:
Pony would rather see the Socs as "just guys" because that erases the line between himself and them. They are all just humans with problems and rough times. This made the Socs seem more real, that they had something in common with the Greasers. Socs are still Socs and Greasers are still Greasers, but they both have feelings, they both need someone to talk to and someone to love them. They both mess up and they both don't always like their own personal situation. But their both just people, they both only human. Every single one of us is only human after all. Pony means that when the Socs are "just guys" they aren't Socs anymore. They aren't people who hate the Greasers and who the Greasers hate. When they are "just guys" everyone can relax and not think about the past and the tension between both groups. When the Socs are just guys, everyone can simple "float."

chapTer 6 ;]

VOcab.
bewildered: completly confessed, unaware, or puzzled.

As the dictating teacher told the class to work on their geography assignment from last Tuesday, Katie looked up from her book with a bewildered expression on her blank face.

Q1: Do you think that Dally's parents have influenced the way he is; his personality?
A1:
Yes, I do think that Dally's parents have influenced his personality. I think this because him not having his parents around, made it hard for him to deal with things, and he never really learned right from wrong. He had to fend for himself, therefore making him hard and though all the time. His parents didn't care about him, so that made it hard for him to care about anything else. This attitude made him get in trouble with the law, relationships and school.

Q2: Why doesn't dally want Johnny to turn himself in?
A2:
Dally doesn't want Johnny to turn himself in because he didn't want Johnny to get hurt. Dally has experience in this type of situation. Being in jail can be very hard and for someone as sensitive as Johnny, it might affect him for the rest of his life. Dally says that you get "hardened" in jail. you have to become tougher to survive and adapt. Dally doesn't want jail to change him, like it did to himself. When Dally said this, he meant it. Never before had he ever opened up to anyone about his time in jail and for him to pore his heart out like that, he meant it. Dally loved Johnny too much to have him go through all that hardship.

Q3: What "other side" of Dallas is revealed in this chapter?
A3:
The other side of Dally that is revealed in this chapter is the more sensitive and heartful side. Dally comes off as this though person who doesn't care and can handel anything. When he talks to Johnny and Pony about his time in jail and what it does to you, his softer-side comes out. We learn that Dally isn't just dirt and nails, hes an actual human being with emotions and feelings. This was shocking for Johnny and Pony because they've only ever seen the tough side of Johnny.

Q4: What's your own definition of a hero? Do the three boys prove themselves to be heroes, according to your definition? Explain.
Q4:
My definition of a hero: Someone who risks their own life to try and save someone elses, putting others before themselves, brave, fearless, noble, clever. Someone who doesn't take the time to sort of the pros and cons, they know what the right thing to do is, and they do it.

I think that Pony, Johnny and Dally are the perfect matches for my definition of a hero. They risked their own lives to try and save the children in the burning building. They were fearless and tried to save others. they put themselves aside and focused on others in danger. They were noble nad brave. If it wasn't for them, the kids would have died. They are true heroes.

Q5: Why do you think Johnny wasn't scared, despite the obvious danger, on page 92?
A5:
I think that Johnny wasn't scared, despite the obvious danger because he was too focused on what had to be done to be scared. Ever scince he had gotten jumped, he'd been to scared to do anything. but now he was in this burning building with nothing to do but smile. He was happy not to be scared anymore. He was happy to get out of that scared and nervous shell he had been hiding in. He had so much adrenaline running through his body, he just wanted to enjoy it. He wasn't scared for the same reason as Pony, there was no time to be scared. No time to think, the only thing they had time for was to get everyone out.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

CHapTterr 5,

RELUCTANTLY: unwillingly, opossing
SULLEN: showing irritation or ill humor
ELUDED: to avoid or escape by speed, cleverness, trickery
IMPLORINGLY: to beg urgently or piteously for aid or mercy
GALLANT: brave, spirited, noble-minded, or chivalrous man
INDIGNANT: angered at something unjust or wrong

CONTINUATION FROM ch4:

Just then the school bell rang, signaling that lunch was over and classes were about to take part. Sydney stepped out from the lunch room and reluctantly turned around glance at her beloved friends. They were all staring directly at her, their eyes maintaining contact with hers. Sydney could hear it in her head. All the things that they were possibly thinking, racing around her mind like rats. She eluded their thoughts by turning back around, facing the other way. She turned the corner of silver lockers and head for study hall, her next class. "What was she thinking? Blurting the news out like that, like she was some sort of gallant news reporter or something," Sydney thought as she took her seat at the back of the classroom. "Maybe this is all a dream. I'm not changing schools, I just misread my parents, thats all. I'm really just changing... bed rooms, or classes... or something, ha," crazy ideas filled Sydney's mind as she opened her wire-binded notebook. She squinted her eyes and crinkled her nose sullenly. She rested her dirty blond-haired head on the wooden desk. She imagined her last day at Hoover high. Her friends with frowns on their faces. Herself, holding back the tears as she walked out the school doors for the last time. Indignant, she dozed off to sleep. In her dream, Sydney found herself clinging to the school flag pole imploringly, begging her parents not to make her go. This was one nightmare of a dream alright. Yes, nightmare of a dream, thats for sure.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Q1: Why does Pony have a problem with Johnny's idea to disguise themselves?
A1: Ponyboy did not want to disguise themselves because that meant he would have to cut and dye his treasured hair. His hair was his pride, long and silky. Greaser's hair is what makes them look tuff. It labeled them and was their trademark. Losing something so important, something that made him him was very upsetting for Pony because he cared about his hair very much. He had it all his life. To cut and dye his hair was a very new and scary thing fro Pony, but he knew it had to be done.

Q2: What does Pony mean when he says "I was supposed to be the deep one"?
A2:
When Pony says that he was supposed to be the deep one, he means that he was the one of the gang who enjoyed movies and reading and poetry and Johnny surprised him by the way he reacted to the book "Gone with the Wind." Johnny didn't know anything about the book or anything about what it was about but he still enjoyed it very much so. Johnny had failed a year in school and never made good grades but he got more meaning out of things than Pony ever could. This made Pony wonder about Johnny and made him say "I thought I was the deep one."

Q3: Why does Johnny think he is a hero (on pg. 76)? Do you think Dally is a hero based on what he did?
A3:
Johnny thinks that Dally is a hero because he was getting punished by the police for something that he didn't even do. His friends did the crime, be he was willing to take the blame because he was a good friend, and was gallant and Johnny admired that. I also agree that Dally did a very considerate thing. I think that taking the blame for something is one of the most compassionate things you could do for someone. And the fact that Dally didn't without denying it and acted cool, was very heroic of him.

Q4: Why does Pony realize he doesn't like Dally? Can you explain what he means by this?
A4:
Pony realizes he doesn't like Dally because Dally was different from most people Pony admired. Pony's heros were Sodapop because he was understanding and dashful, he idolized Two-Bit due to his humor, and Pony looked up to Darry for his superhreo-like character. These were all qualities that Dally did not have. These qualities of the super heros that you read in books. But Dally was not like a made up character from a book, he was real. Andthats why Ponyboy didn't like him. Dally was real and that scared him.

Q5: Examine Robert Frost's poem, Nothing Gold can Stay. What do you think the poem is saying? How might this apply to the characters in the novel?
A5:
When I read the poem, Nothing Gold can stay" I felt happy and cheerful becuase this poem is so cute. I think it means that something can happen in your life thats "good a gold." You're really happy and life is looking good. But then the good thing goes away. Nothing good last forever. All good things, all "gold" things, have to come to an end. Robert Frost is using the leaves of nature as a metaphor for all the good things in life.

Q6: On page 78, Johnny compares Pony and his brothers to their parents. Which one of your parents are you most like? What similarities do you share?
A6:
I think that I am most like my father. People tell me all the time that I look alot like him and I share the same chractertstics and personality as he does. Were both very athletic and kind. We both worry alot, have a good scense of humor and have alot of friends. Also, my father was born wtih crocked pinkys on both his hands. When I was born i had the same thing, alot of my fingers are not straight. I think that being similar to my dad is a very good thing.

Q7: What does Pony mean when he says he drinks Pepsis like a friend (p.78)?
A7:
When Pony says that he drinks Pepsi like a friend he basically means that he can't live without drinking Pepsi. He sees his friends atleats once a day and they are a very important part of his life, same goes for Pepsi. There are things that you can't go without in your life, an adiction and thats what Pepsi is for Pony.


Q8: What is a "heater"? Why does Dally have one?
A8:
A "heater" is slang for a gun, pistol, revolver or other firearm. Dally has one because there is an all-out war between the Socs and the Greasers. It is crazy back at the town. Dally is going to use it to scare any Socs off, the gun isnt loaded. There is going to be a gang fight between the Socs and the Gresers. Dally needsthe heater to protect himself from geting hurt or killed.

Q9: Why are the Socs and the greasers going to fight in vancant lot?
A9:
The Socs and the Greasers are going to have a fight in the vancant lot because of what Jonny and Pony did. The Soc they killed had alot of friends adn there very upset and angry about what happened. The Socs have so much rage that they'll do anything to get back at the Greasers.

Q10: Who spys for the Greasers? Does this surprise you ? Why or why not?
A10:
Cherry Valance is spying on the Socs for the Greasers. She is a So and none of the Socs would suspect her to be on the enimies side. This doesn't surprise me because Cherry had a real connection with the Greasers. her and Ponty talked the whole night and really seemed to be friends. Also I think Cherry though that the whole thing was her fought. If she wuld have just stayed with Bob, her boyfriend, he wouldn't be drunk and upset and might not have jumped Pony and Johnny. Also Cherry says that she would "fall in love with Dally Winston." This would make me think that Cherry might have a small crush on him, and if he asked for her help, she would say yes in a heartbeat.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

chap. 444 :]]

RUEFULLY: causing sorrow or pitty
HERMIT: a person living in solitary habits
PREMONITION: a feeling of anticipation or anxiety; a forewarning

CONTINUATION FROM ch3:

Sydney had to tell her friends she was changing schools. They would have to know sometime, and they all knew that something was wrong, now was probably the most possibly appropriate time there was. She was going to tell them. But how? How could she make the words "I'm changing schools" come out of her shivering mouth. Sydney went into a daydream, thinking about her unpleasant future.
"Maybe I can runaway and be a hermit from my now distant family. I can stay at Hoover and have no personal contact with my family what so ever. I'll go to Callie's house. Only for food. I'll be a loner. I'll be solitaire from the people that mean the most to me, but I'll get to stay with my friends." The thought of being distant from her lovable family made Sydney ruefully swallow the dreadful feeling out of her system. Jenny nudged Serena, her face lit up with the premonition of some juicy gossip about Sydney. Little did Jenny know that it wasn't gossip Sydney had on her mind. Sydney self-consciously looked down at her purple-painted nails. Examining them while resisting the temptation to bit them. "I'm...I'm changing schools," she said in a low cheerless voice. She felt her stomach drop. She had study hall next. Thank god. She might be able to get some sleep and sort out her thoughts.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Q1: What does Pony mean when he says the Socs were "reeling pickled" on page 54?
A1:
When Pony says the Socs were "reeling pickled" he means that the Socs were slowly staggering from drunkenness. Pickled is slang for drunk and reeling, used in this context means to lurch or sway as from being drunk. The Socs were still drunk, not able to stand up straight and not able to think properly. And that scared Pony.

Q2:What major event happened in this chapter?
A2:
I think that this was defiantly the most interesting and intense chapter so far. The major event of this chapter was when Johnny killed a Soc. They were drowning Pony and beating the two up. This had already happened to them both once before and Johnny was tired of it. He didn't want to take this. So he grabbed a knife from the back of his pocket and stabbed a Soc named Bob. He killed him. He murdered him. Johnny was a criminal. With the help of Dally, Pony and Johnny ran away and are now in hiding. This chapter was a major part of the rest of the novel.

Q3: How did the author foreshadow that Johnny would use his knife in chapter 2?
A3:
In chapter 2, the author foreshadowed that Johnny would use his knife because she says that if Johnny ever got jumped, he would use it. The Socs scared him so much that he was jumpier than ever. He tired to stay out of trouble as best as he could and always carried a knife. The first time he got jumped as so awful, that he wasn't going to let it happen again. If you were smart, you wouldn't jump Johnny, because he would kill you. And thats what he did with the Socs when they attacked them in chapter four.

Q4: What would your advice be to Johnny and Pony if they had came to you for help instead of Dally? Explain.
A4:
If Johnny and Pony came to me for help instead of Dally I probably wouldn't know what to say. I would be very stunned and have a hard time clearing my head of the many thoughts that would be racing through it. The right thing to do would be to confess to the cops, but I think that i would care way to much about Pony and Johnny to let them sit in a cell for the rest of their lives. I guess I would tell them to runaway. To hide from any Soc and any "fuzz." Although I might not ever get to see them again because there running away, I think the life they'd live then would be better than one in jail. I'd love them to much to let them stay in a cold horrible prison for the rest of their days. I really hope I never have to even think about giving that advice to anyone ever because I would feel pressured and insecure about what I tell them.

Friday, April 20, 2007

chapterrrr 3 :]] you see me .

ALOOF: Distant physically or emotionally; reserved and remote
IMPERSONALLY:not personal; without reference or connection to a particular person
ORNERY:
unpleasant and ugly in temper
RESIGNEDLY: indicative of resignation

CONTINUATION FROM CH2:

It was lunch time at Hover high, Sydney aloofly sat down at the lunch table they always sat at, waiting for her friends. She was changing schools. She kept that thought in the back of her mind, wishing it were false. Mom and Dad hadn't actually told her that she was changing schools, but it was blatantly obvious. How could they make such an impersonal decision? But more importantly, how was she going to bare the news to her friends. Jenny and Callie took their ritual seats at the creme-coloured cafeteria table. "Hey guys," Sydney said in an ornery manner. Callie spoke, "Whats wrong with you?" She had a look on her face, knowing something was wrong with Sydney. Callie had that friendly way about her. She always knew when
something was upsetting Sydney. Sydney resignedly turned away and dug her hand into her navy blue book bag, trying to pre-occupy herself. The last member of their circle of friends, Serena joined the table. Sydney took a long deep breath. She had to tell them.

TO BE CONTINUED ...

Q1: What does Cherry explain as the difference between the Socs and the greasers?
A1:
Cherry explains the difference between the Socs and the Greasers as not only money irregularity's from Socs to Greasers. She thinks that the Greasers have different values them them. Greasers are more emotional. Socs say things they don't mean just to make themselves seem better or cooler than the Soc next to them. Socs were cold and mean, where as Greasers were more caring and compassionate towards each other.


Q2: What does Ponyboy mean on page 39 when he says "Johnny and I understand each other without saying anything"? Have you ever had a relationship where you understood someone, or someone understood you without having saying anything?
A2:
When Ponyboy says "Johnny and I understand each other without saying anything," he means that him and Johnny share a special almost brotherly connection. They hang out and have been together so much in their lives that they know what the other is thinking. They know each others ways and emotions that most of the time they don't even need to talk to know what the other is thinking. I think that my family knows me well enough to understand me without me having to open my mouth. I think that sometimes they know me better than i know myself.

Q3: When and how did Ponys parents die?
A3:
Ponys parents died in an auto wreck eight onths ago. Pony Darry and Soda got to live on their own, aslong as they don't get into trouble. By reading the book, i can tell that POny really loves and misses his parents.

Q4: What happened when Ponyboy came home after his curfew?
A4:
Ponyboy fell asleep on the streets and by the time he woke up it was past his curfew. Darry was very upset about this. He had no idea where his youngest brother was and there was nothing he could do. This made Darry very frustrated and when Pony got home, Darry took out all his frustration on him. After yelling at Pony, he slapped him across the face. No one in the house had ever, ever slapped boy, and this made Pony angry and hot. Pony stormed out of the house planning on running away. Darry yelled for him to come back, but Pony was so furious with all the things Darry has caused him that he kept on running.

Q5: Why does Johnny like it better when his father is hitting him?
A5:
Johnny thinks that he likes it better when his father is hitting him because at least then his father knows that hes alive and knows who he is. Johnny's parents don't care. He can walk in and out of the house without anyone saying a word to him. He can stay out all night. Johnny feels that he doesn't have anyone in the world who is there for him emotionally. At least when his father is hitting him, Johnny has someone there physically.

Q6: At the end of the chapter, how does the author foreshadow that something bad things are coming?
Q6:
At the end of the chapter the author foreshadows that somthing bad is happening. She does this by making a statement that would make the reader think that things are going to get better. She says, "Things gotta get better, I figured. They couldn't get any worse..." She makes you think that things are going to get better, but then once the next sentence comes, its the totally opposite of better. "...I was wrong." This means that bad things are ahead. I wonder what they could be...


ALLY PETT :)

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Chapter 2 ((:

INCREDULOUS: indicating or showing unbelief
VAGUELY: not clear or definite in though, expression, understanding, or expression
NONCHALANTLY: coolly unconcerned or unexcited; casual

Sydney happily skipped home from school, looking at the pretty flowers in Ms. Allbottom's garden. She nonchalantly opened the door to her family's 2 bedroom home and took off her black shoes and walked into the kitchen. Sydney's mother and father were talking over a hot cup of coffee up in the master bedroom. Sydney could vaguely make out what they were talking about. She decided to quietly tip-toe up the hallway stairs to get a better listen. She could perceive her mother saying, "How do you think Sydney and her friends would feel about it though? Do you think she can handel the transition?" Sydney put her ears closer to the door, How I would feel about what? She heard her parents get up, and ran back down to the kitchen. "Hey mom. Hey dad. What were you guys talking about? How would I feel about what? Handel what transition? Am I changing schools or somthing?" Sydney asked, paranoid. Her mother looked at her father and gave him a incredulous eyebrow raise. Her father gave her the same look of unbelief. "What are you talking about?" he finally spoke.

TO BE CONTINUED ...



Q1: Who is the Fuzz?

A1:
The Fuzz is simply slang for the policeman who come control the situation at hand and arrest people.

Q2: Are the names Ponyboy and Sodapop nicknames? Explain.
A2:

The names Ponyboy and Sodapop are not nicknames, they are the boy’s birth given name said so on their birth certificates. Pony’s and Soda’s father was a very creative man and wanted his children to have original names. Ponyboy didn’t like telling people his name for the first time just because they’d give him the reaction of, “you kidding,” but personally he liked his name.

Q3: Who are Cherry and Marcia?
A3:

Cherry and Marcia are Socs that attend the same high school as Ponyboy. They were “tuff” looking cheerleaders that Pony never would have guessed would even think about talking to him. They wore sharp clothes and were very good looking. They were 16 or 17 year old girls who “weren’t of Pony’s kind” but they were very nice to him. They were also stuck up when they needed to be to protect themselves.

Q4: Why does Ponyboy dislike referring to Sodapop as a dropout?
A4:
Ponyboy doesn’t like to reefer to Soda as a dropout because simply cannot stand it. This is because the word “dropout” reminds him of some poor dumb-looking hoodlum wandering the streets breaking streetlights. A drop-out didn’t fit his brother at all. Soda was a happy-go-lucky kind of person and for Pony a drop out didn’t say happy-go-lucky. When Pony told some one his brother was a dropout, it gave them a totally different impression of how Soda actually is like.

Q5: What is Ponyboy comparing Two-Bit to when he calls him a "chessy cat" on page 27? What figure of speech is this besides a simile?
A5:
When Ponyboy calls Two-Bit a “chessy-cat” he is referring to Two-Bit’s grin. He says, “Two-Bit grinning like a Cheesy Cat.” Meaning, Two-Bit’s smile gave off the impression of a large, trying-to-look-innocent, devilish smirk. I think his grin was a “it was kind of funny, but how can you get mad at this happy face” type of look. I think this figure of speech could also be refered to as a metaphor because a metaphor is something regarded to represent something else; a symbol. Cheesy cat is like a symbol in Pony’s mind for Two-Bit.

Q6: What is "a weed" slang for in 1967?
A6:

A “weed” is just a cool or gang term for a cigarette. Pony thought that saying weed was a good way of putting things into words.

Q7: Why does Dally look sad now? (p33)
A7:

Dally looks sad now because someone had gotten beaten badly. He lived on New York's west side for quite some time, so it was interesting for Pony to see such a sck expression on Dally’s face. Dally was sad no because the person that had gotten beaten up was someone near and dear to his heart, Johnny. Dallas loved Johnny, he was like a kid brother and for Dallas to see Johnny get hurt as badly as he did, made him sad, angry and sick to his stomach. Also, Dallas hated the Socs and they were they ones that did this to Johnny. SO for them to be responsible, made Dallas that more sad.


Q8: What literary device does the author use to describe Johnny's mugging (pgs. 31-34)?
A8:

Some of the literacy devices that the author uses to describe Johnny’s mugging are:
Dialect --> “Anyone want a weed?” “Y’all want some?” “I hope he don’t get jailed again.”
Dialogue --> “Ponyboy, will you come with me and get some popcorn?” Cherry asked. “Sure y’all want some?”“I do,” said Marcia.
Free Verse --> whole Novel; no exact fixed pattern to the chapters of this book
Imargrey --> “His face was cut up and bruised and swollen, and there was a wide gash from his temple to his forehead.”

Mood --> scary, sad and disturbing
Metaphor --> “They had threatened him with everything under the sun.”

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Chapter 1 ((:

Q1: Describe each of the characters in this chapter and thier relationship with one another.
A1:
PONYBOY --> Pony for short
youngest of the gang
doesn't use his head
has two brothers in the gang
likes things such as movies and reading, that the others in the gang don't
very smart, skipped a grade
greased hair

SODAPOP --> soda for short
understands almost everything
16 years old
very good looking
always there for other members of the gang, especially his younger brother
greased hair

DERRY --> 20 years old
works hard and long
people in the gang call him hard and firm
uses his head
over protective of those who mean most to him in the gang
fatherly
greased hair

TWO-BIT MATHEWS --> real name is Keith, but no one every uses it
always making jokes
stocky build
can't shut him up
helps to make member feel better by making them laugh
shop lifts on a daily basis

JOHNNY --> was jumped at the age of 16 by the Socs
scared of everything
barley speaks a word
nervous and suspicious
though home life
everyone's kid brother in the gang
gang gives him love and affection
greased hair

STEVE --> best friends with Sodapop for a very long time
him doesn't like Pony
works at gas station with Soda
tall, lean, cocky, smart
greasy hair

DALLAS --> toughest of the bunch
always going to jail and breaking the law
cold, mean, wild
got into fights
talks dirty
greasy hair

Q2: Who are the Socs? Who are the Greasers?
A2:
SOCS: abbreviation for the socials, the jet set, the west-side rich kids. Cause damage to property/ people for fun especially the Greasers

GREASERS: East-side boys who are poorer than the Socs, almost like hoods. Steal things, carry knives, drive old cars, hold up gas stations, gang fight, wear greasy long hair. Are all each other has, give each other love and affection

Q3: How did Ponyboy's relationship with Darry and Sodapop differ? Explain.
A3:
Pony's relationship with Soda is very different than his with Darry. They both love Pony very much, they just show their affection in different ways. Soda cares for Pony and stands up for him. He helps Pony to be accepted within the group. Soda always stands up for Pony and Pony looks up to him for that.

Darry loves Pony a lot also and thats why hes so over protective of him. He wants Pony to do good in life and keep his grades up, that's why he may come off controlling. He feels that he has to play father over his brothers. Pony doesn't like Darry for it, but he knows in his heart that Darry has his best interest in mind.

Q4: Why is the 'gang' important to Johnny?
A4:
The gang is important to Johnny because its basically the only good thing or thing that he has to look forward to in his life. His father is very abusive and his mother doesn't care and is rarely home. The gang gives Johnny love and affection. Without the gang, Johnny would have no one there for him, no one to talk to, nothing really positive in his life. I think the same goes for the rest to the gang members.

Q5: How does Ponyboy react to what Sodapop tells him about Darry?
A5:
Sodapop told Pony to not let Darry's yelling and nagging and controlling behavior shouldn't bother him becasue Darry is really proud of him and gets worried a lot. Pony didn't quite understand what Soda meant about Darry. Pony felt that Darry thought of him as just another somebody and that Darry couldn't possible love him. Pony thought that Soda was wrong. Deep down he knew that Darry truly did, a lot. He just told himself that Darry didn't to make himself feel better about how Darry treated him.

Q6: Do you think that Darry loves Ponyboy? Why does he treat him the way he does?
A6:
I think that Darry loves Pony a lot. Darry is very over protective of Pony because he cares and wants the best for Pony. Darry shows his love in a tough love kind of way. He knew that Pony could possibly amount to something, so he pushed him and asked more of him because he knew Pony could do it. Darry loves Pony a lot and Pony knows it, he just can't see it, so sometimes he doesn't believe it's there.

Q7: What does Ponyboy mean on pg18 when he says "I lie to myself all the time." Do you every lie to yourself? Why?
A7:
When Ponyboy says, "I lie to myself all the time," he means that he tells himself things that aren't true but he wants them to be true to make himself feel better. People tell themselves things that their mind wants to hear, but they know in the back of their head, that it isn't true. Just like Pony says, "I lie to myself all the time. But I never believe me." He saying that he tells himself untrue things to make him feel better, but all along he knows it isn't the truth. Yes, somtimes I do lie to myself to make myself think that what I want to happen can actually happen. For example: When someone buys a lottery ticket, they tell themselves, "yeah, i could actually win this," but they know deep down the chances are very very slim.

Written by: Alyssa Petruniak :)