Summary
In these chapters, Ponyboy wakes up in a church realizing that Johnny really did kill Bob. Johnny went to go get supplies and returned with food, cigarettes, soap, peroxide, a deck of playing cards, and the book Gone with the Wind. Trying to blend in, Johnny cuts and bleaches Ponyboy's hair, and then Ponyboy in cuts Johnny's hair. Following Dally's orders, they stay inside the church and pass the time playing poker and reading aloud from Gone with the Wind. This routine continues for five days until Dally shows up and shows them out to the world outside. Dally brings news, and a letter for Ponyboy from Sodapop. Soda had discovered Pony's sweatshirt at Buck's and realized that Dally knew where Pony was hiding. Soda's letter expresses how worried both he and Darry are and how much they miss Pony. Dally had been picked up and questioned about the murder, and had let it slip that the boys might be heading for Texas. Dally tells Johnny and Ponyboy that it is safe to go out for a drive and get some food. They stop at a Dairy Queen and both boys eat nonstop. While Johnny and Ponyboy eat, Dally gives them a quick news of the events back home. Because of the killing, the Socs and the Greasers are engaged in all-out warfare. But, the Greasers have a secret weapon; Cherry is working as a spy. Cherry acting as a spy for the Greasers shocks Ponyboy and Johnny, but then they learn that Bob had been her boyfriend. Dally tells them that Cherry has said that she is willing to say that the Socs were drunk that night and that Johnny acted only in self-defense. Cherry's stance gives Johnny the hope he needs, and he announces that they are going to turn themselves in to the police. Dally becomes shocked, but Johnny says that he doesn't want to live in a church for the rest of his life.
Johnny keeps asking Dally whether his parents have been worried. Dally avoids his question for as long as possible, but finally tells Johnny that his parents have not been worried or asked about him. Johnny doesn't say anything, but looks devastated. Driving back from Dairy Queen, they spot the church on fire. A group of people stand around the church, and Ponyboy and Johnny jump out of the car to find out what's happening. As they arrive, one of the women shouts that some of the children are missing. Both Ponyboy and Johnny leap through a window in search of the kids. An older man, Jerry Wood, follows them, but he is unable to get through the small window. The boys quickly find the kids and hand them out through the window to safety. Dally is now at the scene and warns the Ponyboy and Johnny to get out because the roof is starting to cave in. After dropping the last kid out the window, Johnny shoves Pony out the window, and the roof collapses. Pony blacks out, but Dally goes back inside for Johnny. When Ponyboy regains consciousness, he hears sirens. He assumes that he is in a police car until Jerry Wood tells him that they are in an ambulance, and Johnny and Dally are in the ambulance behind them. Dally has a badly burned arm, but Johnny is in far worse condition. They are all considered heroes for saving the children. Ponyboy is in the waiting room, worried about Johnny and Dally, when Darry and Soda arrive. Soda gives Pony a hug, and Darry stands back with his hands dug into his pockets. When Pony looks at Darry he sees that he is crying. In that split second, Ponyboy realizes that Darry does care for him, that he was just trying too hard. After losing his parents, Darry fears losing another loved one.
Reaction
My reaction to these chapter was happy. This is because Ponyboy and Johnny were now considered heroes. This means they have more of a chance of getting away from jail. Also, Cherry is now a spy and is she is willing to testify that Bob and Dillan were drunk when they approached Johnny and Ponyboy.
Answer to Prompt Question
I believe the poem is about that nothing good can stay. For example it says "Nature's first green is gold." I believe this means that when nature is first made, it is calm and relaxing. Then, in the poem it says "Nothing gold can stay." I think this means that wherever it is calm somewhere it will eventually get destroyed. I think gold means peace.
Higher Order Thinking Questions
Chapter 5: Compare Johnny and Ponyboy's reaction to Cherry being a spy for them.
Chapter 6: Hypothsize why Ponyboy and Johnny were so quick to react to the church on fire.
No comments:
Post a Comment