Question

Read the following passage from The Outsiders and

answer the question that follows:
“Darry had seen us from our porch and ran toward us,
suddenly skidding to a halt. Dally was there, too, swearing
under his breath, and turning away with a sick expression
on his face. I wondered about it vaguely. Dally had seen
people killed on the streets of New York's West Side. Why
did he look sick now?"
What does the use of the bolded word vaguely
suggest about Ponyboy's emotional state?

Answer 1

The use of 'vaguely' indicates Ponyboy's detached or preoccupied emotional state, as he only fleetingly acknowledges Dally's distress without deep consideration.

Step-by-step explanation:

The use of the word "vaguely" suggests that Ponyboy is in a somewhat disconnected or distracted emotional state. He is aware of Dally's reaction to a troubling situation but does not fully engage with the curiosity or concern that might typically arise. Instead, he acknowledges Dally's distress only fleetingly and without deep consideration. This indicates that Ponyboy may be preoccupied with his own thoughts or emotions, unable to fully process or react to the events unfolding around him. The term "vaguely" underscores a sense of detachment or a lack of full attention to the details of the situation.

Answer 2

Vaguely is used in this passage as a hyperbole to express how confused and unclear Ponyboy felt about Dallys reaction.