What was chapter 8 about in the outsiders

Johnny's lament about his too short life mirrors the themes of the poem Nothing Gold Can Stay. Johnny was gold, and it was the gold in his nature that led him to save the children in the fire. But those actions also resulted in the injuries that will either kill or paralyze him.

Active Themes. Preserving Childhood Innocence. Ponyboy and Two-Bit next visit Dally. He is in good shape, but is unhappy that he'll have to miss the rumble that night. He asks about Johnny 's condition, and is visibly upset when Two-Bit reluctantly tells him the truth. Dally asks for Two-Bit's prized switchblade, and Two-Bit gives it to him without asking any questions. Dally then says that it's essential that the greasers win the rumble, in honor of Johnny.

While Johnny is upset about the opportunities he will miss out on in life, Dally is upset about missing the rumble.

Johnny, with his innocence still intact, had grand hopes for his life. Dally, hardened by life, thinks only about fighting Socs and protecting Johnny. As they wait for a bus home, Two-Bit observes that Ponyboy looks pretty sick. Ponyboy asks him not to mention it to Darry , and Two-Bit agrees. On the bus, Two-Bit observes that Darry is stricter with Ponyboy than his parents had been.

The two agree that, but for his associations with the gang, Darry could be a soc. The conversation about Darry highlights the power and superficiality of the social distinctions between Socs and greasers. Though Darry has many Soc qualities, because he's a greaser his life is defined by the opportunities available to greasers.

Ponyboy then tells Two-Bit that he has a bad feeling about the rumble. Two-Bit mocks Ponyboy for being afraid, but Ponyboy responds that he's not afraid for himself, he's afraid that another tragedy will occur.

Two-Bit shrugs off Ponyboy's concerns, and hopes the greasers win a big victory over the Socs. He asks Ponyboy why he saved those children and says he would never have thought a greaser could do such a thing.

Randy explains that Bob was his best friend, a good guy with a terrible temper and overly indulgent parents. Ponyboy feels reassured by his talk with Randy and realizes that Socs can be human and vulnerable. We needed Johnny as much as he needed the gang. And for the same reason. Two-Bit and Ponyboy go to see Johnny and Dally in the hospital.

Johnny, weak and pale, whispers that he would like Ponyboy to finish reading Gone with the Wind to him. His mother shows up to visit, but she is a mean-spirited, nagging woman and Johnny refuses to see her. Dally is recovering nicely in the hospital, and for the first time ever Ponyboy feels warmly toward Dally. Dally says that Tim Shepard, the leader of another gang of greasers, came in to talk about the rumble. She says that the Socs have agreed to fight with no weapons. Ponyboy asks her to go see Johnny, but she says she cannot because Johnny killed Bob.

She says that Bob had a sweet side and was only violent when drunk, as he was when he beat up Johnny. Ponyboy calls her a traitor, but he quickly forgives her. He asks her if she can see the sunset on the West Side, and when she says she can, he tells her to remember that he can see it on the East Side too.

Family becomes increasingly important in the second half of the novel—both the biological Curtis family and the makeshift greaser family. This threat is especially heartrending for the brothers because Ponyboy is finally learning to appreciate Darry. It becomes important to Ponyboy to stay with his brothers as a matter of greaser pride. He takes Two-Bit's fancy knife, planning to get even with the Socs in the rumble that night.

On the way home, Pony tells Two-Bit that he has a bad feeling about the fight. Two-Bit pretends not to understand. They run into Cherry , and she tells Pony that although she feels bad about Johnny, she can't go see him, because he killed Bob. Ponyboy gets angry, telling her, "You're a traitor to your own kind and not loyal to us.

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