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.