The Outsiders

2. A Soc girl who befriends Ponyboy, acting as a bridge between social groups and illustrating moral complexity.
7. A planned, large-scale fight between rival gangs that represents escalating conflict and pride.
9. The sense of who someone is; a major theme as characters question how society defines them and how they see themselves.
10. A tough, rebellious Greaser with a criminal past who fiercely protects his friends.
11. Ponyboy’s handsome, fun-loving middle brother who acts as a peacemaker and emotional support.
12. Short for “Socials”; the wealthier, more socially accepted rival group that frequently clashes with the Greasers.
13. The oldest Curtis brother who gives up college to raise his brothers; strict, responsible, and protective.

1. A folding knife carried by some characters; symbolizes danger, street toughness, and the threat of violence.
3. The process of making amends or finding moral recovery; several characters seek or achieve redemption through brave or selfless acts.
4. The novel’s thoughtful, sensitive narrator and youngest Curtis brother who struggles with identity and belonging.
5. A nervous, battered member of the Greasers whose actions following a crisis drive much of the plot.
6. Courageous action for the benefit of others; demonstrated when characters risk themselves to save someone else.
8. A working-class youth group in the novel known for long hair, loyalty to friends, and conflict with the Socs.