Chapter 9 and 10: Quote Analysis

Chapter 9 and 10: Quote Analysis

1. Quote:

“I’m a grease, same as Dally.  He’s my buddy.” -Ponyboy (p.23)

Context:

Ponyboy was at the movies with his two best friends Johnny and Dally. Ponyboy told Cherry that Dally was a Greaser member like himself and that Dally was his friend.

Paraphrase:

The quote that Ponyboy told Cherry about him and Dally being in the Greasers gang and also buddies no matter, even if Dally was mean or rude. They stick together. 

Inference:

The characters are friends even if they are mean to each other. They were loyal friends even though Ponyboy doesn't really like Dally because he was mean and a bully.  

2. Quote:

“All Socs aren’t like that…That’s like saying all you greasers are like Dallas Winston.” -Cherry (p.34)

Context:

This is when Cherry and Ponyboy were buying popcorn and Cherry was telling Ponyboy about how the Socs gang members weren’t as mean or bad as the Greasers and that they were nicer. She is only trying to defend the Socs.

Paraphrase:

The quote that Cherry was defending her gang the Socs after they beat up the Greasers by jumping them and she was trying to defend them. Cherry meant the Socs were different to the Greaser gang because she saw them differently as nice and friendly people and not as mean or bad as she saw the Greasers.

Inference:

                    The quote tells us that Cherry is a truthful character and is very caring. She is different to the other Socs, she is nice and thoughtful. She likes to help people and sees them differently.

3. Quote:

“I mean…if I see you in the hall at school or someplace and don’t say hi, it’s not personal or anything…” -Cherry (p.45)

Context:

This is when Ponyboy and the other guys are dropping the girl’s off home. On the way home Cherry says to Pony “I mean…if I see you in the hall at school or someplace and don’t say hi, it’s not personal or anything…”. 

Paraphrase:

This quote means that Cherry is trying to protect herself and ponyboy from getting caught being friends. Cherry knows that it is best to hide the fact that her and ponyboy are friends. She is a Socs gang member and Ponyboy is a Greaser member. She knows that if any of her friends find out that she is friends with a Greaser then both her and Ponyboy will be in a lot of trouble.

Inference:

This tells us that Cherry is trying to save her friend and her self from being in a lot of trouble by either of their gangs and she is smart to advise Ponyboy not get offended if she doesn't say hi to him, its just to protect them both.