The Outsiders ch 11-12 – Flashcards

Randy explains that he came to see Ponyboy to see how he was feeling, but it seems he is really there because he feels stress about the upcoming trial. Randy, according to Ponyboy, had nothing two worry about since Pony was in a much worse situation. During their discussion Randy learns the Ponyboy's parents are dead and that there is a possibility the judge could take Ponyboy out of his home.

We learn in this chapter that although Sodapop loved Sandy, and wanted to marry her, "she just left" (174). Sandy disregarded Soda's affections, and left him to go to Florida.

After an argument between Darry and Ponyboy ensues, Sodapop can no longer take it. He storms out of the house in complete frustration. When they find him, Soda reveals that he feels like he is "the middleman in a tug o' war" (175). He feels like he cannot take either side so he is caught between a rock and a hard place. He says that "Darry yells too much and tries to hard and takes everything too serious, and Ponyboy, you don't think enough, you don't realize all Darry's giving up just to give you a chance he missed out on" (177-76).

In the end, Ponyboy decides to write his composition on his life experiences. The reader learns that the novel is, in fact, Ponyboy's composition. We know this because the first lines of the composition, are identical to the first lines of the novel.

Throughout most of the novel, Ponyboy shows very little interest in violence or crime. In chapter 12, after Johnny's death, the reader sees a different side of Ponyboy. When he is approached by Socs looking to start a fight, he immediately turns to violence by breaking a bottle and threatening them. This is uncharacteristic of Pony and shows the bitterness that is creeping in after his traumatic experiences.

The narrative point of view used in this novel is first person narration through the character - Ponyboy. While the narration of the novel is important and allows greater insight into the main character, we learn in these chapters how important the narration really is. In the end, the reader learns that this novel's narration has been a written composition by Ponyboy to his English teacher.