Premium Essay

Heroism In The Outsiders

Submitted By
Words 448
Pages 2
Everyday in life heroes are helping others. Heroism is when someone shows an act of bravery and strength. In the book The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton one of the characters, Ponyboy Curtis, showed heroism. Ponyboy showed heroism when he saved kids from a burning church. In The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, Ponyboy showed a lot of heroism and gallantry.

Ponyboy Curtis, from The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton, was heroic. Ponyboy is in a group called the Greasers, which is one of two groups in the book. These two groups are called the Greasers and the Socs. In The Outsiders Ponyboy is with Johnny Cade, another Greaser, when they are jumped by a small group of Socs. The Socs hurt the two Greasers and then start drowning Ponyboy. Johnny, however, kills one of the Socs to get them to stop torturing them. Ponyboy and Johnny end up running away after killing the Soc and finally take refuge in an old abandoned church.

When Johnny and Ponyboy were living in the church, after running away when they killed a …show more content…
“I picked up a kid, and he promptly bit me, but I leaned out the window and dropped him as gently as I could, being in a hurry like that” (93). This quote shows Ponyboy saving the kids from the church by dropping them out of a window to safety. In this quote Ponyboy showed heroism because if Ponyboy did not save the kids they may have not survived the fire. Ponyboy risked his life for the kids, and doing so saved the kids’ lives.

In The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton, Ponyboy showed heroism by saving kids from the burning church. Heroism and gallantry in The Outsiders looked a lot like this, where the “heroes” were like real life ones. The heroes in the book helped others and showed acts of bravery and strength. Ponyboy showed bravery when he went into the burning church and showed strength when he got the kids out of the church. This is how Ponyboy showed heroism in The Outsiders by S.E.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Examples Of Heroism In The Outsiders

...“I was a 'young adult' when I wrote 'The Outsiders,' although it was not a genre at the time. It's an interesting time of life to write about, when your ideals get slammed up against reality, and you must compromise.” -S. E. Hinton. The Outsiders was a big deal back in the ‘60s because it started teen-realistic fiction. This book demonstrated heaps of true heroism in many of the characters. A hero, in my opinion, shows responsibility, bravery, and sacrifice. Johnny Cade most suits my definition of a hero. Early in the book, Johnny reveals his heroism, but he shows even stronger heroism during the middle of the book. Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dallas were eating at a Dairy Queen for the first time since Johnny and Ponyboy fled, and then Dally tells the others that Cherry is their spy and that she explained Johnny was innocent. After all, killing Bob, who nearly drowned Ponyboy, was self-defense. “We’re goin’ back and turn ourselves in,” Johnny stated [Hinton 87]. Johnny chose to do the right thing, even though he knows he might have to sacrifice the rest of his life. Johnny’s first act consists of heroism/sacrifice because he longs for what’s right, even at the cost of his future. In the next scene, Johnny further performs his heroism by being incredibly brave. He and Ponyboy ran into a burning church...

Words: 536 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

The Outsiders: Johnny As A Hero

...Although Ponyboy is usually seen as the hero in The Outsiders, Johnny is the most heroic character in my opinion. He was willing to sacrifice his life in order to save multiple lives in a burning church. As a result, he was nearly killed because of a falling pillar that hit his back. Johnny is selfless, loyal, and daring. One quality Johnny shows in The Outsiders is selflessness. He displays this trait when he saves the children from the burning church. The children are stuck inside the church while it burns down, and Johnny immediately goes to save them. Ponyboy also saves the children, but he sees something different in Johnny which represents his selflessness: “I blinked myself-- Johnny wasn't behaving at all like his old self... I caught one quick look at his face; it was red marked from falling embers and sweat streaked, but he grinned at...

Words: 623 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Essay Final

...Rebecca Gomez Human Enlightenment and Romanticism - (HUM 2234) Mr. Luke Leonard The Optimistic & the Tragic Aside from the values defined by the achievements of man through enlightenment in a moral respect, Romantic Heroism transcended as an essential and cardinal influence within Romanticism and the intellectual behaviorism it represented through literary and poetic context. Measured to the degree in which the protagonist reached a complete and full notion of who he was and his purpose, the romantic hero was a representation of the individualist, egotistical, and pompous protagonist whom attained the very ingenious and artistic visions despite the risk, the cost, family, friends, or citizens. The Romantic hero viewed life as a plethora of incidents to break through and be overcome by an act of heroism through visionary will. This very ideal influenced literary romanticism into its respective areas. In regards to the types of imaginative narratives the Romantic period conceived, there were prominently two – The optimistic version and the tragic version both which have sculpted the poetic and literary realms of Romanticism, emphasizing the artistic and philosophical movement which revolutionized the manner in which humans sought knowledge on themselves and of the world around them. Asserting the distinguished and authentic aspect of the individual mind, the Romantic era conceptualized its own unique...

Words: 1080 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Heroism and Monstrosity

...Monstrosity and heroism are extremely complex matters as both are in the human nature, and one cannot be without the other. Although most people have a definition for hero and one for monster, and they think the two terms are always clearly distinct, that is never the case. Monstrosity and heroism are not clear cut, as authors like Mary Shelley and Harper Lee have tries to convey. In her novel Frankenstein, Shelley tells a story of a man who, in his dangerous pursue of knowledge, creates a being that will lead his life to ruin. Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a bildungsroman narrated by a girl whose father attempts to challenge their racist society by defending a black man in court. These two stories discuss heroism and monstrosity through the ordinary heroism of a monster, the courage of those disapproved by society (Atticus and Boo Radley), the behaviour of Victor, a character that initially appears to be benevolent. The theme of heroism is little evident in Frankenstein. The being that is also monstrous is one of the most heroic characters in the novel, for he is, until a certain point in his life, an ordinary hero. One can note such ordinary heroism in the help he constantly provides the cottagers: “(…) during the night, I (…) brought home firing sufficient for the consumption of several days” (Shelley 82). Although what he does is not extremely significant in the eyes of an outsider, the creature provides help in the best way he can, and his help does have a positive impact...

Words: 1440 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Outsiders In Othello

...The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice In the theatre of Shakespeare, one can encounter multiple “others” or “outsiders” when reading this text Othello `through a physco-analytic lense. Found throughout is Shakespeare desire to label Othello as “alien”, “outsider”, the stranger” and “other,” which can be seen as an unconscious, collective thought shared by members of this culture. The citizens tragically delude themselves by accepting him into their Venetian society, when in fact he is an “outsider” in ever way possible. Othello epitomizes what can be seen as an “outsider” in a white, Christian society where blacks are labeled as “strangers.” The tone of his skin is essentially what attributes to him being considered an intruder who...

Words: 948 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Assignment 11 Music 394

...1. Why does the Indian classical tradition dominate the musical image of South Asia in the West? The classical music of India has gained most of the attention of outsiders probably due to the colonization era that has brought Indo-European invaders (Aryan Civilization) into their territory between 2000 and 1500 BCE due to the presence of rich resources. However, Indian music, unlike the communal music of Africa and Southeast Asia, is individual and often virtuosic and can be both vocal and instrumental. The Hindustani one (North) is more appealing to the Western society as it is more instrumental based, whereas the Carnatic (south) one is more vocally oriented. Another factor that attracts the Western attention to Indian Classical Music is the presence of virtuosic improvisation 2. Discuss the following terms important to a Hindustani classical music performance: Raga, Alap, Gat, Tala, Rasa. Raga: long Hindustani instrumental improvisations. Several things stand out to the first-time listeners: twangy buzz of introductory instruments, constant ornamentation and pitch bending of main melodic part, and tension changes. The word raga (color, atmosphere) denotes a comprehensive system for the simultaneous composition and performance struggle. Alap: the opening section of a raga performance in which the performer “explores” the raga. It can last for a mere minute or so or even be extended for an hour or more. Gat: the skeletal melody used as a basis for improvisation in a raga...

Words: 301 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Characters in 'the Outsiders' Grow and Change as a Result of Their Experiences.

...The Outsiders is a novel of conflicts - greasers against Socs, rich against poor, based on realistic events set in the sixties in the town of Tulsa, Oklahoma and was written by female author, S.E Hinton, in 1967. In this novel, Hinton elucidates that friendship becomes the most vital value in a world where parental influence is scarce and violence seems to be the only answer. It also illustrates how everyone experiences hardships and challenges in their lives despite social status. Johnny Cade is the gang’s pet. He is only 16 years old, but has already been beaten down by the cruelty of life and his abusive parents. The theme of family love is clarified by Johnny many times, because his fearful eyes have seen what family love isn't. Johnny begins as a meek and fearful boy but a turn of events changes his attitude toward life. Some moments that exemplify Johnny’s change was the murder of Bob, saving children from a church fire and his calm determination when faced with death. One of the ways in which Johnny shows elements of change is when he killed the Soc, Robert ‘Bob’ Sheldon. When Bob almost drowned Ponyboy in a park fountain, Johnny stabbed Bob with his switchblade as an act of self defence. Johnny wouldn’t let anything happen to any of his friends, especially his closest friend Ponyboy. “I had to. They were drowning you, Pony. They might have killed you.” This example shows that Johnny would not tolerate others bullying his friends, and wouldn’t be a bystander, when he...

Words: 602 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

“Othello’s Virtue and Valour Ultimately Make Him Admirable.” to What Extent Do You Agree with This View?

...The idea of heroism is one often associated with virtue, courage and valour. Within Othello, Shakespeare questions the meaning behind heroism and admirability in the context of a Venetian society, in which the play is set. Through the tragic descent of Othello’s composure and his actions, the audience is left to wonder whether or not his virtue and presentation as an admirable general and hero, actually exists. Act 1 of the play presents Othello's decisions and behaviour as the epitome of virtue and valour, showing him as a high statured character - the definition of a tragic hero in Aristotelian methods, as it demands a character of greatness to suffer the greatest downfall. Although not necessarily presented as high born, he is deemed to be virtuous through his military prowess and well articulated speech; this however may be argued by the drastic change of fate within act 3 where Othello’s so called ‘valiant’ image is challenged by Iago’s ‘pestilence’ whispered with his own mind which can be seen through his brash actions and broken language, additionally it can be argued that Othello can be deemed dishonourable in his own actions in the first act of the play by his unblessed marriage to Desdemona; therefore the overall presentation and view over Othello is left to debate. Through Shakespeare’s use of dramatic methods, we as the audience are thrown straight into the action of scene 1,in the form of in media res; it is Iago that announces Othello to the audience as a ‘black...

Words: 1019 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Beowolf

...Women in Beowulf Beowulf shows the importance of male heroism and the significance of women is minimized. Even though it is true that their appearance is limited and brief, they do play fundamental roles in it. The women in Beowulf could themselves be considered showing heroism, just in different ways. There are two queens in the poem: Wealhtheow and Hygd. They are both queens by marriage to the king, and they are hostesses in that they receive people in the hall and make sure that everyone is drinking and having a good time. Noble women played an important role in heroic Anglo-Saxon society and had an essential influence in the hall, especially in hall ceremonies, though they also played an active role in peacekeeping. The hall is presented as the central social element in the poem, where people gathered together to talk about the major events of the court and to socialize. The poet always makes use of positive words to describe them: Wealhtheow, “she graciously saluted the men” (614), “queenly and dignified” (621). Her role as hostesses has to do with the duty of carrying the mead cup and pass it to the king and warriors. This apparently unimportant task is more revealing than we may think; it establishes a hierarchy in the hall. The first time Wealhtheow makes her appearance in the poem (612-641), she offers the cup to Hrothgar first, making clear that he is the most powerful figure in the hall, the king: “handed the cup first to Hrothgar, their homeland’s...

Words: 1197 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Leading Quietly Case Study

...| Leading Quietly Case Study | Organizational Behavior | | Summary Traditionally, we think of great leaders as people who bring about change by their charisma, passion, and dedication to a noble cause. Thus, most of us think of leaders as courageous risk takers or in other words, heroes. Yet, in our daily life, we often find that the most effective leaders are rarely public heroes. They maintain a low profile, but do what is right for themselves and their organizations unnoticeably and without casualties. Harvard Business School professor Joseph Badaracco calls them "quiet leaders"--people who choose responsible, behind-the-scenes action over public heroism to resolve tough leadership challenges. Badaracco believes that what drive the society are the millions of small but important decisions that individuals make on a daily basis. He points out in the book that everyday leadership is not so dramatic, and daily leadership decisions are rarely being made by the top management of an organization. Thus, the book focuses the study on the middle and senior-level managers who make the ordinary decisions that ultimately determine an organization's success. The book is full of practical advice as it describes eight strategies for making effective leadership decisions in murky situations where the "right" thing is far from obvious. It also describes that good leaders are those who are honest with themselves about how well they truly understand a situation and how much control...

Words: 1549 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Hero and Villain

...In literature, a hero/heroine, or protagonist, is the principal character of a story, which may be known for special achievements. It´s sometimes used to simply describe the protagonist of a story, or the love interest, a usage which can conflict with the superhuman expectations of heroism. [1] Hero and heroine came to refer to characters who, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, display courage and the will for self sacrifice, that is, heroism for some greater good of all humanity.  In modern movies, the hero is often simply an ordinary person in extraordinary circumstances, who, in despite the odds being stacked against him or her typically prevails in the end. [2]  The villain usually is the antagonist, the evil character in the story, who tends to have a negative effect on other characters or serves as an obstacle the hero must struggle to overcome. In other words, the villain typically a charismatic evildoer who represents, leads, or himself embodies the struggle the hero is up against. [3]  Animal Farm is a vivid and eloquent novel written by George Orwell, who aims to prove that human nature and diversity prevent people from being equal. It also successfully presents how the mechanism of propaganda and brainwashing works in totalitarian regimes. Snowball is described as a vivacious pig, which is quick in speech and more inventive. He´s the best at writing; painted out `Manor Farm´ and in its place painted `Animal Farm.´ During he´s...

Words: 2989 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Ponyboy: A True Hero

...Heroes are people who give their life to something bigger than themselves. During the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr. fought with full effort for racial discrimination to end. He lost his life to a racist murder because his heroism and drive to create equalness for all were too strong. Social iniquity in small towns across the U.S. was common during the 1960s and gangs/cliques faced much prejudice between each other. They were grouped by their social status and a clear line was drawn between the rich and the poor. Throughout the novel, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, Ponyboy, Johnny and Darry, prove themselves as true heroes. Ponyboy shows heroic traits as he helps those in need and does not fall against the obstacles...

Words: 794 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

An Essay of Ulysses

...ears nothing all day. He thinks he may have killed his mother by refusing to kneel and pray at her deathbed when she asked. He associates the phase” remorse at conscience”, with his guilt over his mother’s death. Bloom shows a number of acts, not having had intercourse with his wife for over ten years. Bloom shows acts of masturbation. On the other hand bloom showers acts of admirable qualities. He is a sensitive and considerate man, a man of wide-ranging interests and inveterate curiosity, of sympathy and charity…a good man. (Weldon Thorton) bloom too has guilty feelings about his father because he no longer observes certain traditions his father observed. It is bloom’s extraordinary capacity for sympathy and compassion that allows him heroism in the course of the novel. Bloom’s ability to empathize with a wide variety of beings, cats ,birds, dead men, vicious men, blind men, old ladies, the poor ,and so on. Bloom’s compassion dictates the course of his day, like when he stops at the river to feed the gulls or at the hospital to check on Mrs. Purfoy. Bloom leaves hoe this morning, buys himself a kidney at the butcher’s delivers breakfast I bed to his wife. Molly with the morning mail, where he Notices a note from blazes Boylan. He reads a letter from their daughter Milly then persists on his day wondering through the city on business, pleasure, attendance at his friend’s funeral and purposefully not being hoe when his wife’s lover calls. Before attending the funeral he decides...

Words: 932 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Chapter 5

...WORLD MUSIC CHAPTER 5 1. Why does the Indian classical tradition dominate the musical image of South Asia in the west? The classical music of India has gained most of the attention of outsiders probably due to the colonization era that has brought Indo-European invaders (Aryan Civilization) into their territory between 2000 and 1500 BCE due to the presence of rich resources. However, Indian music, unlike the communal music of Africa and Southeast Asia, is individual and often virtuosic and can be both vocal and instrumental. The Hindustani one (North) is more appealing to the Western society as it is more instrumental based, whereas the Carnatic (south) one is more vocally oriented. Another factor that attracts the Western attention to Indian Classical Music is the presence of virtuosic improvisation. 2. Discuss the following terms important to a Hindustani classical musical performance Raga, Alap, Gat, Tala, Rasa? Raga: long Hindustani instrumental improvisations. Several things stand out to the first-time listeners: twangy buzz of introductory instruments, constant ornamentation and pitch bending of main melodic part, and tension changes. The word raga (color, atmosphere) denotes a comprehensive system for the simultaneous composition and performance struggle. Alap: the opening section of a raga performance in which the performer “explores” the raga. It can last for a mere minute or so or even be extended for an hour or more. Gat: the skeletal melody used as a...

Words: 968 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Never Let Me Go

...Harvard Daniel Vorhaus As we follow Kathy, Tommy, and the rest of their clone cohort from their early days at Hailsham to the “completion “of their lives, it is painfully obvious that these clones carry unique names, faces, and personalities. By the time Ishiguro lets us in on his dirty little secret—that society has created these children to serve as biological vessels intended to exist only long enough to reach maturity before their organs are harvested through forced donation. It is too late the as the clones have already established themselves as ordinary people. They laugh, cry, squabble, reconcile, grow old, and they ultimately fall in love. While Ishiguro’s tale has unmistakable air of science fiction to it, it is difficult for the reader to view it as. It should not be a surprise that society that view them as clones, are anything but normal. Tommy and Kathy are every bit the intelligent, compassionate human beings that you and I are, exactly the sort of people that you would want to be friend. If they differ from the society surrounding them it is because of their society’s inability to conceive of them as anything more than “shadowy objects in test tubes”;not because of their conception in a laboratory. Despite this, even those that know them best remain afraid. Review on Never Perspectives Marvin Mirsky growing practice of familial decisions to have an “extra child “for use as a source of organ transplants when needed for earlier or favoured children, has...

Words: 1221 - Pages: 5