The Outsiders: Themes

A theme in a story or novel is:

• An essay assigned about a book
• A central idea in a piece of literature
• A trendy idea that the book connects to
• The part of the story where the resolution and conclusion merge

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CCSS.RL.6.2

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CCSS.RL.5.9

For an idea to be a theme, the idea/subject should:

• Be introduced on the first page
• Be introduced in the first chapter
• Be revisited multiple times throughout the story
• Be literally expressed by the narrator early and often

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

True or false:There can only be one theme in a story

• True
• False

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

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True or False: The central idea is the main theme or idea that the story revolves around. It's the focus and a lesson that the author is trying to convey on a topic.

• True
• False

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

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CCSS.RI.8.2

"The importance of family" is a theme in The Outsiders. Which one of these examples is NOT an example of this theme?

• Johnny's parents are abusive, hurting him physically and emotionally
• The Curtis brothers can stay together ONLY if they stay out of trouble
• The greasers are so close they are like a family
• Cherry Valance stays with her own kind because her parents would not approve of greaser friends

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

A theme in The Outsiders is "the importance of friendship." Which one of these is an example of this theme.

• Ponyboy spitting at the Socs in the park
• Bob, Randy and the Socs in the back seat teaming up to beat up Ponyboy and Johnny
• Johnny carrying a switchblade and vowing never to be beat up again
• Two-Bit befriending Marcia at the drive-in

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Which of the following examples supports the theme "importance of friendship" in The Outsiders.

• Johnny was beat up in the vacant lot
• Johnny vows he will never allow himself to be beat up again
• Johnny asks Dally not to be rude to the Soc girls
• Johnny shares his desperation about his life and desire to move away from where Socs and greasers live.

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

"Stereotypes are unfair and harmful" is another theme in The Outsiders. Which one of these examples is NOT an example of this theme in the book.

• All greasers are "hoods"
• All Socs are unfeeling and cruel
• Greasers can be good citizens
• All Socs have it easy and have no problems

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

When Dallas Winston helps Ponyboy and Johnny hide from the police. This is an example of which theme?

• Importance of friendship
• Importance of family
• Stereotypes are unfair
• None of the above

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

Can a bad example of a family demonstrate "the importance of family" as a theme?

• No. Only good examples of how families should act can reinforce the theme of the importance of family.
• No. A bad example of a family would represent a different theme in the book.
• Yes, both good and bad examples of families demonstrate the importance of families
• Yes. Anytime a family interaction is in a book it shows the importance of families.

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.5.2