Final answer:
Johnny kills Bob in 'The Outsiders' to protect Ponyboy, not for any other reason.The correct answer is d) To protect Ponyboy
Step-by-step explanation:
Johnny kills Bob in the book 'The Outsiders' by S.E. Hinton in order to protect Ponyboy, who is another character in the story. Johnny and Ponyboy are part of a gang called the Greasers, and Bob is a member of the rival gang called the Socs. Johnny and Ponyboy encounter Bob and his friends one night, and Bob tries to drown Ponyboy in a fountain.
In self-defense, Johnny stabs Bob, unintentionally killing him. Johnny's actions are motivated by the need to protect his friend Ponyboy, rather than to prove his toughness or win a rumble.This action is not driven by a desire to show heroism, win a rumble, or prove toughness, but instead by the instinctual need to defend and shield Ponyboy from imminent harm. The tragic event underscores the themes of friendship, loyalty, and the dire consequences of gang violence that permeate the novel.