The Outsiders Chapters 9 and 10

Summary

In these chapters, Ponyboy is feeling sick before the rumble, so he takes five aspirin. The boys take showers and make themselves look tough before leaving for the rumble. Ponyboy feels a sinking feeling when he sees the other Greasers. Twenty-two Socs arrive to fight the twenty greasers. Darry steps forward to start the fight, and Paul Holden, Darry’s high school friend and football teammate, steps up to challenge him. As Paul and Darry circle each other, Dally joins the group. As Dally arrives, the fight breaks out. After a long fight, the Greasers win. When the rumble ends, Dally and Ponyboy go to the hospital to see Johnny. A policeman stops them, but Ponyboy fakes an injury, and the officer let them get to the hospital. Ponyboy and Dally find Johnny dying. Johnny moans that fighting is useless, tells Ponyboy to stay gold, and then dies. Dally is filled with grief, and runs from the room. After Johnny’s death, Ponyboy walks alone for hours until a man offers him a ride.  Ponyboy feels confused. At home, he finds the Greasers gathered in the living room and tells them that Johnny is dead and that Dally has broken down. Dally calls and says he just robbed a grocery store and is running from the police. The gang rushes out and sees police officers chasing him. Dally pulls out his unloaded gun, and the police shoot him. Dally collapses to the ground, dead. Ponyboy dreamt that Dally wanted to die. Feeling dizzy and overwhelmed, Ponyboy passes out. When Ponyboy wakes up, Darry is right beside him. Ponyboy learns that he got a concussion when a Soc kicked him in the head during the rumble, and that he has been confused in bed for three days.

Reaction

These chapter was very exciting. It was fast-paced and included a lot of action. There were many tragic events that happened, but that just made it better. These chapters were probably my favorite of the whole book, so far.

Prompt Answer

I think Dally reacted the way he did to Johnny's death because Johnny was almost like a brother to him. Johnny was the only one able to stand up to Dally, therefore Dally felt overwhelmed and ran off. I think this was a justified response because it's like having a family member of yours killed or about to die.

Higher Order Thinking Questions

Chapter 9: If you were a part of the Socs or Greasers, would you take part in the rumble?

Chapter 10: If you were one of the police officers chasing Dally, would you shoot him?