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

"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

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.

Which is NOT a theme expressed in The Outsiders?

• Every choice has a consequence.

• Sometimes friends can be more like family.

• This is a story of Ponyboy Curtis, a greaser, who lives in rural Oklahoma.

• Sometimes people are not who they appear to be.

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

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

• True

• False

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

Which of the following is an example of the theme "the importance of family"?

• Darry strikes Ponyboy for arguing with him

• Darry works two jobs to keep the family together

• Darry tells Ponyboy to use his head when leaving a movie theater

• Ponyboy argues with Darry for yelling at Sodapop