Chapter 2 Summary
The next evening, Ponyboy goes into town with Dallas and Johnny. The three boys hang around the streets, chatting with other greasers, chasing little kids, and watching fights. When it gets dark, they climb the fence of the Nightly Double, a drive-in movie theater, and sit down in some seats that are set up for people without cars. Immediately, Dallas spots some Soc girls and begins talking dirty to them. This makes Ponyboy uncomfortable, but he does not try to make Dallas stop.
When Dallas goes to buy a soda, Ponyboy chats with the girls, who are impressed to learn that he has skipped a year in school. One of them asks, “What’s a nice, smart kid like you running around with trash like that for?” It bothers Ponyboy to hear a boy from his side of town called trash. He tells the girl he is a greaser, too, and the girl says she is sorry.
Dallas comes back and gives the girls Cokes, but he acts so cocky and rude that one of them, Cherry, throws her drink in his face. Dallas flashes a predatory smile and tries to put his arm around Cherry, but Johnny tells him to stop.
Ponyboy is surprised that Johnny, who never stands up to anyone, is standing up to Dallas. Dallas is the meanest boy in their gang—and also Johnny’s hero. Dallas would normally hit anyone who tried to tell him what to do, but he does not hit Johnny. Instead, Dallas seems to struggle with himself for a moment, and then he stalks away.
Soon after that, Two-Bit joins Ponyboy, Johnny, and the two girls. He brings the news that a boy named Tim Shepherd wants to fight Dallas. Ponyboy says Dallas is not carrying a switchblade, and Two-Bit is relieved. “Good,” he says. “Tim’ll fight fair if Dally don’t pull a blade on him.” The girls listen to this rough conversation with awe.
Later, Cherry goes to buy popcorn, and she invites Ponyboy to come along. She asks if it is safe for her to be around Two-Bit, and Ponyboy assures her that it is. She also guesses that Johnny has been badly hurt in the past, and Ponyboy describes a scene from four months before, when he and Steve found Johnny beaten almost beyond recognition by a group of Socs. Ponyboy explains how Johnny, who could take a whipping from his father without crying out, broke down and sobbed from pain and fear. Ever since that night, Johnny has been jumpy and scared. He now carries a six-inch switchblade for protection.
Cherry is horrified by Ponyboy’s story. “All Socs aren’t like that,” she says. Ponyboy is skeptical about this, but after a little persuasion he believes her. Cherry says Socs have problems greasers do not even know about. This Ponyboy does not believe; he cannot imagine that the Socs have any problems at all.
Expert Q&A
What page in The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton contains the following quote?
"You take up for your buddies, no matter what they do. When you're a gang, you stick up for the members. If you don't stick up for them, stick together, make like brothers, it isn't a gang anymore. It's a pack. A snarling, distrustful, bickering park like the Socs in their social clubs or the street gangs in New York or the wolves in the timber."
The quote where Johnny defends Dally in front of Cherry, illustrating the solidarity among greasers, is found on page 26 of Chapter 2 in the 1989 Dell edition of "The Outsiders" by S. E. Hinton. This incident displays the deep-rooted loyalty within the greasers' gang, despite Dally's rudeness and bad reputation. The greasers' protective nature towards each other underpins the book's main conflict between the greasers and the Socs.
What is the difference between "tuff" and "tough" according to Ponyboy?
According to Ponyboy in The Outsiders, the term "tuff" is used to signify something cool or sharp, like a stylish car or an attractive person. It's a slang compliment within their community. Conversely, "tough" retains its conventional meaning, synonymous with roughness or hardness. This distinction is part of the unique language used by the teenagers, serving to authenticate the story's setting and characters.
When do Ponyboy and Johnny cut their hair in The Outsiders?
Ponyboy and Johnny cut their hair at the beginning of chapter 5 in "The Outsiders." After being attacked by the Socs and killing Bob in self-defense, they hide in an abandoned church. To avoid detection, Johnny insists they cut and bleach their hair, despite Ponyboy's reluctance and pride in his "tuff-looking" hair.
Why does Dally appear sick in Chapter 2 of The Outsiders?
Dally appears sick in Chapter 2 because he sees Johnny badly beaten by the Socs. Despite being tough, Dally has a soft spot for Johnny and is horrified to find him in such a terrible condition, cut, bruised, and bleeding. Johnny’s fragile nature and difficult home life make the attack even more distressing for Dally, who views Johnny almost like a younger brother.
Who is Ponyboy comparing to a Chessy cat in The Outsiders?
Ponyboy compares Two-Bit to a "Chessy cat," referring to the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. Two-Bit is grinning mischievously after sneaking up on Ponyboy and Johnny and pretending to be a Soc. This allusion highlights Ponyboy's intelligence and love for literature, distinguishing him from the other Greasers.
In The Outsiders, why didn't Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally pay for the drive-in movie?
Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally didn't pay for the drive-in movie because of Dally's rebellious nature and desire to defy the law, which influenced Ponyboy and Johnny. Dally's need to maintain his greaser reputation and demonstrate leadership pressured them to follow his example. Although they had the money, they preferred sneaking in to uphold their rebellious identities and make prudent financial decisions, as spending on the movie might mean missing essentials later.
What are Two-Bit's reasons for fighting in The Outsiders?
Two-Bit fights to blow off steam and because he believes in fair fights when someone deserves it. He dislikes the Socs for their unfair fighting tactics and maintains a strong sense of justice within his gang. Two-Bit also acts as the gang's conscience, reinforcing his unique moral values even when it involves fighting fellow greasers if he feels it's warranted.
In chapter 2 of The Outsiders, what is another greaser rule besides "stick together"?
In chapter 2 of The Outsiders, another greaser rule besides "stick together" is to always defend and support your gang members no matter what they do. This loyalty is crucial to maintaining their bond as a gang, distinguishing them from other groups or packs. Additionally, the Curtis brothers keep their front door open so their friends always have a place to stay.
In The Outsiders, why is Ponyboy reluctant to label Sodapop as a dropout?
Ponyboy is reluctant to label Sodapop as a dropout because he admires him and doesn't see him as a "dumb-looking hoodlum." He views Sodapop as fun, attractive, and compassionate. Additionally, Ponyboy struggles to accept that Sodapop wasn't good at school, reflecting his stubbornness and his coming-of-age journey in understanding that not everything is black and white.
Who was Timothy Shepard and why was he seeking Dally Winston in The Outsiders?
Timothy Shepard is the leader of another greaser gang that demands more discipline and organization. He seeks Dally Winston in Chapter 2 of The Outsiders because Dally slashed the tires on Tim's car, and Tim's brother, Curly, witnessed it. Tim plans to fight Dally fairly without weapons, as Two-Bit believes Dally deserves the confrontation for his actions.
What is the setting in chapter 2 of The Outsiders?
Chapter 2 of The Outsiders takes place at the Nightly Double drive-in movie theatre. Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dallas sneak in, even though a ticket is only twenty-five cents. They run into Cherry Valance, and she fights with Dallas.
Main Conflicts in Chapter 2 of The Outsiders
In Chapter 2 of The Outsiders, two main conflicts emerge. The first is internal, as Ponyboy struggles to reconcile his ingrained hatred for the Socs with his positive interactions with Cherry and Marcia, who challenge his perceptions. The second is external, involving a confrontation between Dally and the Soc girls, Cherry and Marcia, highlighting the tension between the groups. Additionally, a flashback reveals the brutal beating Johnny suffered at the hands of the Socs, underscoring the ongoing violence and fear between the rival groups.
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