is for Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol is a big issue in "The Outsiders." Although people under 21 are not allowed to have alcohol, they still somehow find a way to get it.

"A little? You call reeling and passing out in the streets a little? Bob, I told you I'm never going out with you while you're drinking. I mean it."

(Hinton 44)

is for Bob

Ponyboy and Johnny are at the park when all of the sudden, Bob, Randy, David and the other Socs appeared out of a Mustang and started drowning Ponyboy until Johnny killed Bob and all the other Socs ran away.

"I killed him," he said slowly. "I killed that boy."

(Hinton 56)

is for Cherry

Cherry Valance is a girl that Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally met at the nightly double one night. Cherry is also Bob's girlfriend. While Ponyboy and Johnny were away, she became a spy for the greasers. She is an important part of the book.

"All Socs aren't like that," she said. "You have to believe me Ponyboy, not all of us are like that."

(Hinton 34)

is for Darry

Darry is Ponyboy's oldest brother. He is 20 years old and is the man of the house. The only reason why Sodapop and Ponyboy aren't at a boy's house is because of Darry. Some people think that if it weren't for the gang, Sodapop, and Ponyboy, then he would probably be a Soc.

"You know, the only thing that keeps Darry from bein' a Soc is us"

(Hinton 126)

is for East Side

The East Side is the area of town where the greasers live, on the eastern area of town. Sometimes, the Socs decide to venture to the East Side so then they can jump people.

"Not like the Socs, who jump greasers and wreck houses and throw beer blasts for kicks, and get editorials in the paper for being a public disgrace one day and an asset to society the next.

(Hinton 3)

is for Fire

The church where Ponyboy and Johnny stayed caught fire. When they were driving back with Dally, there was a school field trip happening and there were kids stuck in the building. Ponyboy, Dally, and Johnny got hurt.

"What would we want to take you to the police station for? We're taking all three of you to the hospital."

(Hinton 94)

is for Gangs

Being a greaser, you're usually in a gang for protection and friendship. There are many other gangs than the one that Ponyboy is in. A few examples of them are the Brumly gang and Tim Shepard's gang.

"Tim Shepard and company were already waiting when we arrived at the Vacant lot, along with the gang from Brumly, one of the suburbs."

(Hinton 138)

is for House and Home

Home can have a different meaning for everybody. Ponyboy's home is with Darry, Sodapop, and the gang. Johnny's home isn't his house. My home is with my family wherever it may be. There is a difference between home and house.

"His father was always beating him up, and his mother ignored him, except when she was hacked off at something, and then you could hear her yelling at him at him clear down at our house."

(Hinton 12)

is for Intelligence

In the novel, it said that there are different types of intelligence. One is street smart, and the other is book smart. Street smart is when you know what to do when you are outside. Book smart is when you're smart in school, but not physically.

"It drives my brother Darry nuts when I do stuff like that, 'cause I'm supposed to be smart; I make good grades and have a high IQ and everything, but I don't use my head."

(Hinton 4)

is for Johnny

Johnny is the youngest person in the gang, after Ponyboy. He is the gang's pet because at his house his father is always beating him up because he's drunk and his mother ignores him, unless she gets hacked off about something.

"Johnny Cade was last and least. If you can picture a little dark puppy that has been kicked too many times and is lost in a crowd of strangers, you'll have Johnny."

(Hinton 11)

is for Knife

In the novel "The Outsiders," Ponyboy gets cornered by a bunch of Socs and almost gets cut by a knife near his neck. Near the end of the book, Dally threatens a nurse so that he can get out of the hospital to fight in the rumble.

"Need a haircut greaser?" The medium sized blond pulled a knife out of his back pocket and flipped the blade open.

(Hinton 5)

is for Letter

At the end of the book, it said that Johnny had written a note to Ponyboy. He had hidden it in the copy of "Gone With the Wind" that Pony and Two-Bit had got him. At the end of the poem, it said to stay gold.

"I've been thinking about it, and that poem, that guy that wrote it, he meant that when you're a kid, like green"

(Hinton 178)

is for Mickey Mouse

Mickey Mouse is Sodapop's horse. Mickey Mouse was a mean horse. Sodapop always stays at the horse stables and rodeos. Mickey Mouse loves Soda a lot.

"Mickey Mouse was Soda's horse though. The first time Soda saw him, he said "There's my horse," and I never doubted it."

(Hinton 39)

is for the Nightly Double

The Nightly Double is where Two-Bit, Dally, Johnny, and Ponyboy meet Cherry and Marcia. That is also where they meet Bob, Cherry's girlfriend and almost get into a fight with them.

"The Soc's voice broke into my thoughts: ". . . just because we got a little drunk last time . . ."

(Hinton 44)

is for Old Church

The old church is where Johnny and Ponyboy stay while hiding from the cops. It is on a hill near the town of Windrixville. This is also the place where Johnny, Dally, and Ponyboy save the children from the church fire.

"I'll get them, don't worry!" I started at a dead run for the church, and the man caught my arm."

(Hinton 91)

is for Ponyboy

Ponyboy is the main character in the novel "The Outsiders". His brothers are Darry and Sodapop. Darry is 20 and Sodapop is 17. He is buds with Johnny. His least favorite member of the gang is Steve.

"I'd never tell Soda, because he likes Steve a lot, but sometimes I can't stand Steve Randle."

(Hinton 14)