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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.

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