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

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

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

• True
• False

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

"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

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

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.

"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

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

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.