Skip to main content

At the hearing, what kind of questions did the judge ask Ponyboy in The Outsiders?

The judge only asked Pony questions about his personal life and no questions about Bob’s death because the doctor said he was unstable.

Randy comes to Pony’s house the day before they have to go before the judge.  Pony has come to a kind of understanding with Randy since he said he didn’t want to fight the greasers anymore.  Randy wants to talk about court.  He tells Pony his dad is upset that he is mixed up in “all this.” 


Pony finds Randy’s comment dense.  He feels like, despite Bob’s death, Randy has not been as affected by recent events as much as Pony has.



He thought he was mixed up in this? He didn't kill anyone, he didn't get his head busted in a rumble, it wasn't his buddy that was shot down under a street light. Besides, what did he have to lose? His old man was rich, he could pay whatever fine there was for being drunk and picking a fight. (Ch. 11) 



Pony’s concern is getting taken away from Darry.  His parents are dead, and he doesn’t want his brother to be declared an unfit parent for him and his brother, Soda.  He tells Randy that he was the one with the knife, and Randy tells him it was Johnny.  Pony is a little confused, saying that Johnny is not dead.  Darry tells Randy not to mention Johnny.


At the hearing, the only people there are Pony’s family (Darry and Soda), Cherry and her family, and Randy and his family.  Randy is the first one questioned.  Pony is last, and very nervous by the time they get to him.



Man, I was scared almost stiff by the time he did. And you know what? They didn't ask me a thing about Bob's getting killed. All the judge did was ask me if I liked living with Darry, if I liked school, what kind of grades I made, and stuff like that. (Ch. 12) 



Pony later finds out that the doctor talked to the judge and told him that Pony is unstable.  This is because he doesn’t seem to have it clear in his mind that Johnny killed Bob and that Johnny is dead.  He is acquitted and the case is closed.  Pony is allowed to remain with Darry.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...
Post a Comment
Read more