Chapter 12 Summary
Ponyboy expects his hearing to take place in a big courtroom, but it does not. It is just a meeting with his brothers, his doctor, Cherry, Randy, their families, and a judge. The Socs speak first, telling the story as they saw it. Ponyboy thinks they get the facts right except that they say Johnny was the one who killed Bob. When the Socs are finished, the judge asks Darry and Soda whether Dallas was a good friend of theirs. Both boys answer yes, although they know that it is risky to claim friendship with a juvenile delinquent like Dallas. Ponyboy is proud of them for standing by their friend.
When it is Ponyboy’s turn to speak, the judge asks nothing about the night Bob was killed. Ponyboy only has to talk about his life, his brothers, and his school. In the end, the judge acquits Ponyboy and sends him back home.
The return to school does not go well for Ponyboy. His concussion has left him confused and forgetful. He does poorly in his classes, especially English, where his teacher tells him he will fail unless he can write a good theme paper for the end of the semester.
At lunch, Ponyboy goes to the gas station with Two-Bit and Steve and the other greasers. Ponyboy is smoking a cigarette and drinking a Pepsi when a car pulls up. Three Socs get out and accuse him of killing their friend Bob. Unafraid, Ponyboy breaks the bottom off of his bottle and threatens the boys with it. He looks so savage that they get in their car and drive away.
Afterward, Two-Bit is upset. He realizes that Ponyboy really would have cut the boys up if they had attacked. “Ponyboy, listen, don’t get tough. You’re not like the rest of us and don’t try to be.” Ponyboy is surprised that Two-Bit is acting so serious, especially about toughness. Being tough is the only way to avoid getting hurt.
Ponyboy tries to work on his paper for English, but he does not know what to write. After dinner, Darry becomes angry at Ponyboy for doing so poorly in school, and Ponyboy insists it does not matter anyway. He says he may drop out like Soda did, but Darry refuses to hear of it. Both of them turn to Soda for his opinion, and Soda runs away. Ponyboy and Darry chase Soda down, and Ponyboy tackles him.
When the boys catch their breath, Soda confesses how hard it is for him to listen to Darry and Ponyboy fight. It makes him feel caught in the middle. Darry and Ponyboy are both surprised. Neither of them ever knew it hurt Soda when they argued. Soda begs them to try to understand each other and never to ask him to take sides.
That night, still unable to write his English paper, Ponyboy looks around for a book. He finds Gone with the Wind and picks it up. He is willing to admit now that Johnny is dead and that Johnny was the one who killed Bob. He has realized that he was trying to deny the truth because he wanted to avoid feeling the grief that came with the knowledge.
As Ponyboy is thinking, a note falls out of the book. It is from Johnny, and it explains his final words that Johnny said to Ponyboy: “Stay gold.” Johnny says kids are like gold when they are still young and interested in life and that Ponyboy should try to stay that way. He also says that it was worth dying to save those little kids in the fire and that there is a great deal of good left in the world.
Ponyboy wishes he could share Johnny’s message with Dallas, but Dallas is dead. Ponyboy thinks about all the boys, like Dallas, who die violent deaths because they do not realize there is still good in the world. It occurs to Ponyboy that somebody should tell the greasers’ side of the story to make people understand and respect guys like Dallas.
Excitedly, Ponyboy picks up the phone and calls his English teacher to ask how long his term paper can be. Taken aback, the teacher says it has to be at least five pages but it can be longer. Ponyboy hangs up and sits down, thinking about the friends he has lost and wondering how to start his story. After some reflection, he decides to begin on the day he left the movie theater alone, the day he did not have a ride home.
Expert Q&A
What is the meaning of the final quote in Chapter 12 of The Outsiders?
"When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home."
The final quote in Chapter 12 of The Outsiders signifies the completion of Ponyboy's English essay, which the readers have been reading throughout the novel. This essay is Ponyboy's attempt to share the stories and struggles of misunderstood teenagers like himself and his friends. By doing so, he hopes to prevent future tragedies and promote understanding, thus challenging societal stereotypes and judgments. The novel's cyclical nature, beginning and ending with the same sentence, underscores the importance of Ponyboy's narrative.
What is the conclusion of The Outsiders?
The conclusion of "The Outsiders" sees Johnny Cade dying from his injuries, leaving Ponyboy the message to "stay gold." Dally Winston is killed by the police after brandishing an unloaded gun. Ponyboy is acquitted in the trial for the Soc's death, and the Curtis brothers remain together. Ponyboy heals physically but struggles emotionally. The novel ends with the same words it began, symbolizing Ponyboy's journey.
Why isn't Ponyboy scared when threatening the Socs with a broken bottle?
Ponyboy isn't scared when threatening the Socs with a broken bottle because he is numb from depression after Johnny's death. This emotional numbness leads him to act tough and violent, a significant change from his previous non-violent nature. Despite this momentary change, his true character shows when he picks up the broken glass to prevent harm, indicating he still values kindness and is not truly hardened.
Why was Two-Bit relieved when Ponyboy picked up the broken glass in "The Outsiders"?
In "The Outsiders", Two-Bit is relieved when Ponyboy picks up the broken glass because it indicates that Ponyboy has maintained his sensitivity, despite recent events. After Ponyboy uses a broken bottle to threaten some Socs, he then cleans up the broken glass, a gesture that reassures Two-Bit that Ponyboy hasn't become callous or hardened like the rest of the gang.
How did Johnny's message affect Ponyboy in The Outsiders?
Johnny's message affects Ponyboy by inspiring him to write The Outsiders. The message explains Robert Frost's poem regarding the transitory nature of life and fragility of innocence and encourages Pony to metaphorically stay gold. Johnny tells Pony to share the same positive message with Dally. Although Pony realizes it is too late to save Dally, he is motivated to help the thousands of other juveniles in similar situations by sharing his group's story.
What does Darry mean by "You don't just stop living because you lose someone" in The Outsiders?
When Darry says, "You don't just stop living because you lose someone," he means that life must go on despite the pain of loss. He encourages Ponyboy to stay focused on his goals and not fall into despair after the deaths of Johnny and Dally. Darry wants Ponyboy to understand the importance of resilience and continuing to live life fully, as Johnny would have wanted.
How do Darry and Ponyboy play tug-of-war with Soda in The Outsiders?
Ponyboy and Darry play tug-of-war with Soda by constantly arguing and forcing him to choose sides. As the middle child, Soda feels torn between the two, sympathizing with both but unable to support either fully. In Chapter 12, Soda expresses his frustration, revealing that their conflicts make him feel like he’s being pulled in opposite directions. This realization leads Darry and Ponyboy to agree to stop arguing and be more understanding.
In chapter 12 of The Outsiders, why did Soda believe being like Dally was worse than death?
Soda believed being like Dally was worse than death because Dally's life was marked by hopelessness and emotional coldness, which he developed after losing respect for himself and others. Dally's lack of hope led to reckless behavior and ultimately his death. Soda warns his brothers that without mutual support, they risk becoming as hardened and isolated as Dally, emphasizing the importance of family and belonging to overcome challenges.
What questions did the judge ask Ponyboy at the hearing in The Outsiders?
The judge asked Ponyboy questions about his personal life, such as if he liked living with Darry, if he liked school, and what kind of grades he made. The judge did not ask about Bob’s death because the doctor had informed him that Ponyboy was mentally unstable. Ponyboy was acquitted and allowed to stay with Darry.
Ponyboy's English assignment in The Outsiders
Ponyboy's English assignment in The Outsiders is to write a theme based on his own ideas and experiences. His teacher, Mr. Syme, tells him that a good semester theme will help him pass. Motivated by recent events and Johnny's message, Ponyboy writes about his experiences, ultimately creating the story of The Outsiders, which serves as his assignment.
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