Chapter 5 of 'The Outsiders' by S.E. Hinton explores the emotional turmoil of Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny Cade as they grapple with the consequences of their actions. Set in a secluded church, the chapter highlights themes of identity, friendship, and the struggle against societal expectations. As Ponyboy reflects on his life and the changes brought about by their recent experiences, he and Johnny make significant decisions regarding their appearances to evade capture. This chapter is essential for understanding the character development and the bond between the two boys during a pivotal moment in the story.

Key Points

  • Ponyboy wakes up in a church, reflecting on the events that led him there.
  • Johnny and Ponyboy decide to cut and bleach their hair to disguise themselves.
  • Themes of identity and societal pressure are prominent as they face their fears.
  • The chapter emphasizes the deepening friendship between Ponyboy and Johnny.
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:S.E. Hinton
14 pages
Language:English
Type:Novel
Novels and Short Stories
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:S.E. Hinton
14 pages
Language:English
Type:Novel
Novels and Short Stories
276
/ 14
The$Outsiders,"S.E."Hinton"
59"
Chapter 5
I WOKE UP LATE IN the afternoon. For a second I didn't know where I was.
You know how it is, when you wake up in a strange place and wonder where in the world
you are, until memory comes rushing over you like a wave. I half convinced myself that I
had dreamed everything that had happened the night before. I'm really home in bed, I
thought. It's late and both Darry and Sodapop are up. Darry's cooking breakfast, and in a
minute he and Soda will come in and drag me out of bed and wrestle me down and tickle
me until I think I'll die if they don't stop. It's me and Soda's turn to do the dishes after we
eat, and then we'll all go outside and play football. Johnny and Two-Bit and I will get
Darry on our side, since Johnny and I are so small and Darry's the best player. It'll go like
the usual weekend morning. I tried telling myself that while I lay on the cold rock floor,
wrapped up in Dally's jacket and listening to the wind rushing through the trees' dry
leaves outside.
Finally I quit pretending and pushed myself up. I was stiff and sore from sleeping
on that hard floor, but I had never slept so soundly. I was still groggy. I pushed off
Johnny's jeans jacket, which had somehow got thrown across me, and blinked, scratching
my head. It was awful quiet, with just the sound of rushing wind in the trees. Suddenly I
realized that Johnny wasn't there.
"Johnny?" I called loudly, and that old wooden church echoed me, onny onny... I
looked around wildly, almost panic-stricken, but then caught sight of some crooked
lettering written in the dust of the floor. Went to get supplies. Be back soon. J.C.
I sighed, and went to the pump to get a drink. The water from it was like liquid ice
and it tasted funny, but it was water. I splashed some on my face and that woke me up
pretty quick. I wiped my face off on Johnny's jacket and sat down on the back steps. The
hill the church was on dropped off suddenly about twenty feet from the back door, and
you could see for miles and miles. It was like sitting on the top of the world.
When you haven't got anything to do, you remember things in spite of yourself. I
could remember every detail of the whole night, but it had the unreal quality of a dream.
The$Outsiders,"S.E."Hinton"
60"
It seemed much longer than twenty-four hours since Johnny and I had met Dally at the
corner of Pickett and Sutton. Maybe it was. Maybe Johnny had been gone a whole week
and I had just slept. Maybe he had already been worked over by the fuzz and was waiting
to get the electric chair since he wouldn't tell where I was. Maybe Dally had been killed
in a car wreck or something and no one would ever know where I was, and I'd just die up
here, alone, and turn into a skeleton. My over-active imagination was running away with
me again. Sweat ran down my face and back, and I was trembling. My head swam, and I
leaned back and closed my eyes. I guess it was partly delayed shock. Finally my stomach
calmed down and I relaxed a little, hoping that Johnny would remember cigarettes. I was
scared, sitting there by myself.
I heard someone coming up through the dead leaves toward the back of the
church, and I ducked inside the door. Then I heard a whistle, long and low, ending in a
sudden high note. I knew that whistle well enough. It was used by us and the Shepard
gang for "Who's there?" I returned it carefully, then darted out the door so fast that I fell
off the steps and sprawled flat under Johnny's nose.
I propped myself on my elbows and grinned up at him. "Hey, Johnny. Fancy
meetin' you here."
He looked down at me over a big package. "I swear, Ponyboy, you're gettin' to act
more like Two-Bit every day."
I tried unsuccessfully to cock an eyebrow. "Who's acting?" I rolled over and
sprang up, happy that someone was there. "What'd you get?"
"Come on inside. Dally told us to stay inside."
We went in. Johnny dusted off a table with his jacket and started taking things out
of the sack and lining them up neatly. "A week's supply of baloney, two loaves of bread,
a box of matches..." Johnny went on.
The$Outsiders,"S.E."Hinton"
61"
I got tired of watching him do it all, so I started digging into the sack myself.
"Wheee!" I sat down on a dusty chair and stared. "A paperback copy of Gone with the
Wind! How'd you know I always wanted one?"
Johnny reddened. "I remembered you sayin' something about it once. And me and
you went to see that movie, 'member? I thought you could maybe read it out loud and
help kill time or something."
"Gee, thanks." I put the book down reluctantly. I wanted to start it right then.
"Peroxide? A deck of cards..." Suddenly I realized something. "Johnny, you ain't thinking
of..."
Johnny sat down and pulled out his knife. "We're gonna cut our hair, and you're
gonna bleach yours." He looked at the ground carefully. "They'll have our descriptions in
the paper. We can't fit 'em."
"Oh, no!" My hand flew to my hair. "No, Johnny, not my hair!"
It was my pride. It was long and silky, just like Soda's, only a little redder. Our
hair was tuff--- we didn't have to use much grease on it. Our hair labeled us greasers, too-
-- it was our trademark. The one thing we were proud of. Maybe we couldn't have
Corvairs or madras shirts, but we could have hair.
"We'd have to anyway if we got caught. You know the first thing the judge does is
make you get a haircut"
"I don't see why," I said sourly. "Dally could just as easily mug somebody with
short hair."
"I don't know either--- it's just a way of trying to break us. They can't really do
anything to guys like Curly Shepard or Tim; they've had about everything done to them.
And they can't take anything away from them because they don't have anything in the
first place. So they cut their hair."
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FAQs

What happens when Ponyboy wakes up in Chapter 5 of The Outsiders?
Ponyboy wakes up late in the afternoon, initially confused about his surroundings. He lies on a cold rock floor, wrapped in Dally's jacket, and recalls the events of the previous night. He briefly fantasizes about being home with his brothers, Darry and Sodapop, and the usual weekend activities they would engage in, like playing football. However, he quickly realizes he is alone in the church with Johnny missing.
What supplies does Johnny bring back in Chapter 5?
Johnny returns with a week's supply of food, which includes baloney, two loaves of bread, and a box of matches. He also surprises Ponyboy with a paperback copy of 'Gone with the Wind,' recalling Ponyboy's interest in the book from a previous conversation. Johnny's thoughtful gesture aims to help them pass the time while they are hiding out.
Why do Ponyboy and Johnny decide to cut and bleach their hair?
Ponyboy and Johnny decide to cut and bleach their hair to disguise themselves and avoid being recognized by the police. They realize that their descriptions would likely be in the papers, making it essential to alter their appearances. Ponyboy is initially resistant to cutting his hair, as it is a source of pride for him, but he ultimately agrees, understanding the need for their safety.
How does Ponyboy feel about cutting his hair?
Ponyboy feels miserable about cutting his hair, as it represents his identity and pride as a greaser. He describes his hair as long and silky, comparing it to Soda's, and views it as a trademark of their group. The act of cutting his hair feels like wearing a Halloween costume that he cannot take off, highlighting his discomfort with the drastic change.
What do Ponyboy and Johnny do to pass the time while hiding?
While hiding in the church, Ponyboy and Johnny pass the time by reading 'Gone with the Wind' and playing poker. They enjoy discussing the book, with Johnny expressing admiration for the Southern gentlemen depicted in it. This shared activity not only helps them cope with their situation but also deepens their friendship.
What does Johnny reveal about his feelings after the incident?
Johnny expresses deep guilt and fear after the incident where he killed a Soc in defense of Ponyboy. He is haunted by the memory, feeling responsible for the boy's death and worried about the consequences. This emotional turmoil leads him to suggest that Ponyboy should go home, believing he would be better off without the trouble they are in.
How does the chapter depict the relationship between Ponyboy and Johnny?
The chapter illustrates a strong bond between Ponyboy and Johnny, characterized by mutual support and understanding. They comfort each other during their time of distress, sharing their fears and feelings about the recent events. Their friendship deepens as they navigate their challenges together, highlighting their reliance on one another for emotional strength.

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