date: hour: activity 1 character · pdf fileactivity 1 character analysis ... ponyboy and...

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 1Character Analysis

A character analysis helps you understand the individual personality of each character and gives you practice in looking for information in the text.

Directions: For each character, describe a major decision, problem, issue or concern they are facing. Then describe how the character resolves the decision, problem, issue or concern. Include one quote per character in the book in regards to the decision problem, issue or concern.

Ponyboy:

Johnny:

Dally:

Sodapop:

Darry:

Randy:

Cherry:

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 2Character Comparisons and Contrasts

Comparing and contrasting characters and events helps you identify specific developments in the story and whether or not you feel they are important.

Directions: In pairs, compare and contrast the following pairs of characters. Make a list of the characteristics on the chart below.Ponyboy and DarryPonyboy and JohnnySodapop and DarryPonyboy and Dally

Trait or situation Character 1 Character 2Interests or Concerns Pony: Sunsets, reading,

trackDarry: Football, working, raising his brothers

Family:

Intelligence

How to deal with conflict

Physical Appearance

Fears, Worries

Dreams for future

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 3Labels for Characterization

Characterization is the method used by writers to develop how the character looks, acts, and thinks. This activity gives you an understanding of personality types and how sometimes labels are placed on others.

Directions: Pretend you are creating a personality profile for each of the greasers. Come up with a name or label for each person. (For example: The shy one, The tough one, Top Dog, The Bear) Next give a 1-paragraph description for each personality type and how it fits that particular character.

Ponyboy:

Sodapop:

Darry:

Two-Bit:

Johnny:

Dally:

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 4Details

Reread Ponyboy’s description of Steve, Two-Bit, Dallas, and Johnny in chapter 1. Notice the details that Ponyboy gives you about each friend’s appearances, personality, and Ponyboy’s reaction to each one. List the details next to each character:

Steve:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Two-Bit:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dallas:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Johnny:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Think of the details that describe one of your close friends. Jot down the kinds of details about your friend that Ponyboy gave. Note one or two incidents that illustrate your friend’s personality and character.

Details:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Incidents:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Write 2 paragraphs on the back of this paper describing your friend that way Ponyboy described his friends.

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 5Self Worth

As Ponyboy reacts to the situations that face him and his fellow greasers, his comments reveal much about the way he views himself. Read the passages in the chapter from which the statements are taken. Explain what the statement tells you about Ponyboy’s self image.

1. I lie to myself all the time. But I never believe me. (Ch 1):_______________________________________________________________________________

2. I hate to tell people my name for the first time. (Ch2):___________________________________________________________________________________

3. You take up for your buddies, no matter what they do. (Ch2):_____________________________________________________________________________

4. “It’s okay,” I said, wishing I was dead and buried somewhere. Or at least that I had on a decent shirt. (Ch 3):____________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. It wasn’t fair for the Socs to have everything. We were as good as they were; it wasn’t out fault we were greasers. (Ch 3):________________________________________________________________________________________

6. I was in the country, but I knew I wasn’t going to like it as much as I’d thought I would. There are things worse than being a greaser. (Ch 4)_________________________________________________________________

7. Maybe we couldn’t have Corvairs or madras shirts, but we could have hair. (Ch 5): ___________________________________________________________

8. Dally was the one I liked least…. I liked my books and clouds and sunsets. (Ch 5):___________________________________________________________

9. I jerked loose and ran on. All I could think was: We started it. We started it. We started it. (Ch 6):______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. I had taken the long way around, but I was finally home. To stay. (Ch 6)__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 6Characterization

Directions: 1. Think of words and phrases that describe Ponyboy, and put them under

his name. 2. Then think of words and phrases that describe how Ponyboy feels about

Darry. Put them on the line with arrow up towards Darry. 3. Then think of words and phrases that describe how Darry feels about

Ponyboy. Put them on the line with the arrow down towards Ponyboy.4. Repeat process with each character.

Directions: Use the notes you have written and write a character sketch of Ponyboy. Character sketch is a brief, vivid description of a person. It includes physical characteristics and personality characteristics. This must be two paragraphs on the back.

Sodapop JohnnyDarrry

Ponyboy

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 7Plot Map

Summarize the story using the story map below. Choose your words and events carefully.

Setting

Conflict

Event

Event

Event

Climax

Resolution

RisingActionExposition

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 8Plot Analysis

Plot is the series of events that make up the story. In the circles describe in order what Ponyboy does from the time Two-Bit and Steve arrive at breakfast at the Curtis house:

Type here:

Type here:

Type here:

Type here:

Type here: Type here:

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 9Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is a technique authors use to drop hints about future events in a novel. Predict what each event below foreshadows about the rest of the story and tell why you made that prediction.

Johnny tells Ponyboy,” I don’t want to die now. It ain’t long enough.”

Two-Bit says,” We could get along without anyone but Johnny.”

Dally asks for Two-Bit’s knife.

Type here:

Type here:

Type here:

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 10Setting

Setting determines time, place, and tone.

Draw a map at the bottom and back of the paper for the settings in chapters 4-6 that include the following: Must be detailed and in color.

The parkThe trainThe road to Jay MountainThe church on Jay MountainThe restaurant where Dally takes Johnny and PonyboyThe place where the kids were picnickingThe hospitalPonyboy’s houseDally’s house

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 11Story Map

Setting

Problem

Goal

Episodes

Resolution

Characters:

Time:Place:

Problem:

Goal:

Beginning:

Middle:

Resolution:

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 12Heroism

A theme is a general concept or idea, such as love, justice, or sorrow. One way to help you think of themes is to complete the sentence: “This is a book about__________________”

One theme is heroism. Ponyboy and Johnny both exhibit heroic behaviors when they rescue the children from the fire. Answer the following questions 1 paragraph each:

1. What makes a hero/heroine? What qualities make a person heroic?

2. Who in the story is most heroic? Why? Find a passage in the novel that would demonstrate his heroism.

3. Who is your personal hero/heroine? Why?

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 13Loyalty


How would you define loyalty? Is it possible to be loyal to more than one person or group at the same time, even if they are in opposition of one another?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Choose 2 characters and write 1 paragraph EACH describing who or what that character is most loyal:

Ponyboy DallyJohnny CherryTwo-Bit

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 14Ethics

Ethics are the values or beliefs by which we live and make decisions every day. Answer each question in 3 or more sentences.

1. Who is most at fault for what happens to Johnny? Why?

2. Should Randy fight in the rumble? Why or why not?

3. Should Two-Bit have given Dally his knife? Why or Why not?

4. Should Cherry help the greasers? Why or why not?

5. Is Darry setting a good example for Ponyboy and Sodapop by joining the rumble?

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 15Theme Analysis


Select a passage or quotation from the book that illustrates the following themes. You must write the passage and the page number.

Alienation:

Stereotypes:

Family/Love:

Violence:

Grief:

Heroism:

Justice:

Bravery:

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 16Theme Essay


Directions: Select one passage or quotation that stands out the most, or which will set the mood for the rest of the novel. Write a 3-paragraph essay explaining the passage and why you feel it is important.

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 17Similes

A simile is a comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as”. Creative writers use similes to make their writing more descriptive and more interesting. A cliché is a simile that has been overused such as “the bed was as hard as a rock.” Writers try to avoid using clichés.

Create a simile by filling in the blanks for the following, but avoid clichés:

1. The room was as small as_____________________________.

2. The woman was as scared as___________________________.

3. The puppy kicked and rolled around like__________________.

4. I was as mad as_____________________________________.

5. He is as crazy as_____________________________________.

Now write 5 more similes using information from the novel. Do not use clichés.

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 18Symbolism

A symbol is an object or action that stands for something else.

What do you think are the four most important symbols in the novel?

1.

2.

3.

4.

Explain which character is most affected by each symbol or image:

1.

2.

3.

4.

Find at least two places throughout out the novel where the images or symbols are mentioned. Write the passage and the page number.

1.

2.

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 19Making Inferences

Read each of the statements below. Then circle the letter before the name of the character who made the statement. Explain what you think the character meant by the statement.

1. “Things are rough all over.”A. Darry B. Cherry C. the judge

Meaning:_________________________________________________

2. “I think I like it better when the old man’s hitting me… At least then I know he knows who I am.A. Johnny B. Sodapop C. Randy

Meaning:_________________________________________________

3. “…you get tough like me and you don’t get hurt.”A. Cherry B. Dally C. Johnny

Meaning:_________________________________________________

4. “Ponyboy, listen, don’t get tough. You’re not like the rest of us and don’t try to be…”A. Bob B. Dallas C. Two-Bit

Meaning:_________________________________________________

5. “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold…”A. Dallas B. Sodapop C. Johnny

Meaning:_________________________________________________

6. “…it’s like I’m the middleman in a tug o’ war and I’m being split in half.”A. Sodapop B. Johnny C. Darry

Meaning:_________________________________________________

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 20Alternative Views

Imagine how this story would begin if told from the point of view of each of the following characters. Provide an alternate first paragraph for the novel as if the following characters wrote it:

Darry:

Johnny

Cherry

Dally

Bob

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 21Ponyboy’s point of view

Ponyboy gives you his opinions about the other characters in The Outsiders. What is his reaction to each character listed below. Circle the word that best describes Ponyboy’s attitude toward each character.

1. Sodapop A. resentment B. love C. disinterest

2. Two-Bit A. amusement B. distrust c. dislike

3. Johnny A. anger B. fondnessC. impatience

4. Dallas A. hatred B. trust C. amusement

5.Cherry A. dislike B. indifference C. puzzlement

6. Darry A. respect B. sorrow C. disinterest

7. Randy A. jealously B. respect C. loyalty

8. Bob A. fear B. respect C. loyalty

9. Jerry Wood A. fear B. gratitude D. curiosity

10. Mr. Syme A. guilt B. appreciation C. love

Chose a character and tell how Ponyboy’s attitude toward that character changes during the course of the novel. 1 paragraph on the back.

What kind of attitude does Ponyboy have about himself? In one paragraph on the back write your impressions of Ponyboy’s ideas about himself as a person.

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 22Point of View

Write a phrase to complete the thought in each of the sentences below.

1. Ponyboy’s attitude toward Darry changed when he discovered that______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. One reason that Johnny was special to the greasers was their realization that____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Ponyboy’s attitude toward Sodapop changed when he discovered that_________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Ponyboy learned from Cherry and Randy that____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. By the end of the novel, Ponyboy thought of himself as____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tell how the following characters point of view on life is similar or different in a 3-5 sentences EACH on the back.

Sodapop and DarryTwo-Bit and MarciaPonyboy and JohnnyPonyboy and CherryDally and Bob

Name:________________________________Date:_________________________________Hour:________________________________

Activity 23Perceptions

Write a journal, ¾ of page without skipping lines, evaluating Ponyboy’s and Cherry’s different viewpoints about the greasers and the Socs. Think about the following questions: Is Cherry right in defending the Socs? Do you perceive Ponyboy, Cherry, and Johnny as typical members of their groups. What do you think motivates each character? Etc.

date: hour: activity 1 character · pdf fileactivity 1 character analysis ... ponyboy and...

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