Premium Essay

Who Is Johnny In The Outsiders

Submitted By
Words 413
Pages 2
Ponyboy Curtis has felt grief and pain from losing his love ones. He lost his parents in an auto wreck accident. He lost his close friend, Johnny in a church fire. Ponyboy also lost Dallas, a member in his gang in police chase. He had lost everyone close to him except his brothers and part of his gang. He tries different strategies to cope with their deaths. After Johnny’s and Dallas’ death Pony was in denial. He convinced himself that they were not dead. He thought to himself “That still body back in the hospital wasn't Johnny. Johnny was somewhere else-maybe asleep in the lot, or playing the pinball machine in the bowling alley, or sitting on the back steps of the church in Windriville. I’d go home and walk by the lot, and Johnny would be sitting on the curb smoking a cigarette, and maybe we’d lie on our backs and watch the stars. He isn’t dead.”-The Outsiders Ponyboy was in such disbelief. He was in shock, because he never thought Johnny would die so soon. He not believing that Johnny was dead made him feel better. When Dally die he just thought …show more content…
He lost two people dear to him. He was mostly in denial. Later, he was angry that they died. He thought Johnny and Dallas did not deserve to die. He then was thinking it was his fault that they were dead. He kept on saying “If only we never talked to those girls at the Nightly Double. If we did not talk to those girls Bob wouldn’t have attacked us. If we weren’t attacked by Bob, Johnny wouldn’t have killed Bob. If Johnny did not kill Bob, they wouldn’t have been hiding out in the church. If they weren’t hiding out in the church, the fire wouldn’t have started and harm Johnny. If Johnny was alive, so would have Dallas.” He was also experiencing depression. He was quite most of the time and fight, yell with others. Finally, he accepted their death. He understood there was nothing he could do about it, but he wanted people to know their story. Pony wrote a term paper about all of their

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

The Outsiders Conflict Analysis

...There is more conflict in the world than you may realize. The Outsiders is full of conflicts. Susan Eloise Hinton started the novel when she was 15 and did the majority of it when she was 16. She used her initials because the publisher was afraid, that if buyers would be able to tell that she was a girl, not many people would buy it. In the book The Outsiders there are two main groups, the Socs and the Greasers. Socs, are the “nice” kids that are more upper class. They still get in fights, but they can get out of them more easily. Greasers are the ones with lower hand. They are more well known to usually be trouble makers. The Outsiders is in the eyes of a greaser named Ponyboy, who seems to go against the stereotype of a greaser. He is in advanced classes in school and is considered “nice”. One of Ponyboy’s friends, Johnny, commits murder while Ponyboy is there to witness. He and Johnny run away, and they wonder if they should turn themselves in or not. In the end of the novel, Johnny ends up dying and leaves the rest of the group in pieces. In The Outsiders the main conflict is Person vs Society. Throughout the novel, the characters experience the power of friendship. Dallas Winston acts like a person who doesn’t care about anyone or anything, but he holds a few things very closely. Throughout the story,...

Words: 713 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

The Outsiders: Johnny As A Hero

...downfall. 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

Nothing Gold Can Stay Analysis

...Why do things change? In “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton, the theme of the book is that “Nothing Gold Can Stay” (77). This means that things do not last forever. Johnny, Ponyboy, and Randy all learn this lesson in different ways. Johnny learns “Nothing Gold Can Stay” (77) in many ways. First, it states, “I never noticed colors and clouds and stuff until you kept reminding me about them,” (78). When Johnny took the time to think about colors like Ponyboy had mentioned, he realized that “Nothing Gold Can Stay” (77). The colors of the clouds were seldom golden, and when it was it lasted only but a short period of time. Before Ponyboy showed Johnny the good he saw in sunsets and colors, he was just another greaser boy who lived by the stereotype. After Pony pointed out to Johnny all the interesting things he thinks about, not only was their relationship stronger, but Johnny’s thoughts were too. Next, it...

Words: 1196 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Examples Of Heroes In The Outsiders

...Heroes are people who help other people in small or big ways, in books or real life. For example, in the book “Outsiders“ three specific Greasers are definitely heroes: Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally. Ponyboy is a hero because he ran into a burning building to save a few kids even though he was told not to. In Outsiders, page 79 it says, “ Dally was standing there, and when he saw me he screamed, ‘For Pete's sake, get out of there! That roofs gonna cave in any minute. Forget those blasted kids!’I didn't pay any attention, although pieces of the old roof were crashing down too close for comfort. “ This proves that although Ponyboy could have died, he continued to save the kids and not himself. Therefore, Ponyboy is a hero because he risked his own life to save a couple of young kids from the burning, crumbling church. Dally is a hero because when Johnny passed out before he could escape, Dally went in to drag Johnny out of the burning building even though he might have died. In Outsiders, on page 131 it says, “I...

Words: 536 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Sacrifice In The Outsiders

...“Unity is strength….when there is teamwork marvelous things can be achieved” - Mattie Stepanek. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is a story about sacrifice, social classes, and coming of age. With loyal gangs going head to head so they can show who is the “Creme of the Crop.” Only one theme evident in The Outsiders is stay united, through sacrifice brings people together. Next In the chapters 1- 4 on The Outsiders, one way The Outsiders identifies sacrifice in the exposition. A quote that shows it that is “I killed him, I killed that boy”(49) he said the police are coming we gota’ go. Johnny knew what he was doing, he knew he was either going to watch someone die or kill someone ruining the rest of his life for Ponyboy. Which shows him sacrificing...

Words: 384 - Pages: 2

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

Dishonorable In The Outsiders

...Reasons for Greasers to be Dishonorable Is there honor among the lawless? I think not. In the book The Outsiders by S.E Hinton is a book about a group of greasers who live in a poor neighborhood and are against a group of soc’s. The greasers do a lot of dishonorable things and they always get mistreated because of it. But the soc’s since they live on the south side they are rich and they can always use anything against the greasers to get them in trouble. The greasers from The outsiders are not honorable because they steal, murder people, and threaten to kill people with blades. In The outsiders, the greasers do a lot of dishonorable stuff. For example, Dally robbed a grocery store and was running from the cops. In the book it quotes that “ It was Dally... he just robbed a grocery store and the cops are after him we gotta hide him..” (157). This is dishonorable because what person robs a store and then pulls a gun out at the cops and starts shooting and calls that honorable. Doing all that stuff was cowardly of Dally because since he didn’t want to feel...

Words: 849 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Outsiders

...The novel, “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton, is classified as Young Adult Fiction. In this novel, Hinton writes about real life situation teenagers go through. As for the teenagers in “The Outsiders”, social class is a major issue that brings most of the conflicts throughout the story. In this story, there are two types of people: the “Socs” and the “Greasers”. The Socs are a young and wealthy group who believe they are superior over the less fortunate. The Greasers are an example of a less fortunate group. The Greasers are “hoodlums” who live in the ghetto and are basically uneducated criminals who live in poverty.The Greasers get there name from the casual way the gang dresses, long hair that it greased constantly, and leather jackets. Ponyboy is the main Greaser character. Ponyboy has two brothers, Sodapop and Darry, and all three of them are in a gang. The Curtis’ boys have been through a lot since their parents died, and they are living each day trying to fend for themselves. Ponyboy is an intelligent young man who is constantly pushed to become something better than what he grew up to be by his two brothers. Ponyboy is walking home from school where he had been abruptly confronted by the West Side Soc who asked Ponyboy is he “needed a haircut” while he held his switchblade close to Ponyboy’s face. The Socs begin to beat Ponyboy up until Ponyboy’s brothers hear his death scream and quickly gather the gang along to the scene. Months before, another member of the...

Words: 1932 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

The Outsiders

...The Outsiders” takes you through a journey of struggle, violence, and death. It examines the life of a recently orphaned young man born into poverty confronted with the prejudices that he could not change. He struggles with the many conflicts between the lower class and the upper class youths. The Outsiders focuses on the life of Ponyboy Curtis who has two brothers, Darry and Sodapop, which belong to a group of young people that were called greasers. The Greasers defined as a group of hoodlums with a background of being poor, mean, and violent. Ponyboy’s brother, Darry, stepped in to support his family after their parents died in an automobile accident. Darry was a smart and serious person that worked most of the time, and was very hard on Ponyboy .He often yelled at Ponyboy to do better in school. Soda, the middle brother considered very handsome and likeable, was happy most of the time. The brothers often fought over Ponyboy’s future. They closely associated with two members of the greasers, Dally who was one of the oldest gang members and certainly the toughest, and Johnny who was shyer than Ponyboy. Dally seemed to enjoy being a criminal and thought the law was a joke. Johnny’s parents abused him, so he always seemed scared which made him the pet of the group. This story has many tragedies. The first tragedy in the story was when the socs jumped Ponyboy, who was walking home from the movies by himself. He was two blocks from home when he saw a red Corvair following him...

Words: 992 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Outline For The Outsiders

...In the novel I read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, you will learn how one action can change your life forever. I think that conflict changes the way that people see themselves and others. One of the major lessons that you will learn in the novel, is finding your self worth. S.E. Hinton was born in 1967 but, she was 17 when she wrote The Outsiders, While she was attending Will Rogers high school in Tulsa Oklahoma: The book is about the different classes in the 70’s and, how a boy gets in trouble for something that Thesis: The characters in the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, often come across many different conflicts. I think that the most brod conflict is person vs nature. This type of conflict is shown in the novel when, Johnny and Ponyboy rescue children from a burning church. : In the novel The Outsiders by, S. E. Hinton, she shows many different types of conflict. One of the major conflicts for me was Person Vs Nature. Identify Conflict, Explain who was...

Words: 1113 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

How Does Johnny Save Ponyboy Brave

...Greasers… Greasers are people who have any emotion or any thought at any time. They will do anything for each other. But they would not do anything for the Socs. One person who showed that he would do anything for anyone was Johnny. Johnny showed traits of bravery. He showed bravery because first, he saved kids from a fire in a church, kept Ponyboy healthy in the church, and fought off SOCS. If Johnny didn’t do these types of things, then Ponyboy would be in some big trouble. The first reason why I think Johnny is brave is because he fought off the Socs to save Ponyboy. I know this because on page 56 in chapter 4, it stated “ He pulled my arm and twisted it behind my back, and shoved my face in the fountain. The Next thing I knew I was lying on the pavement coughing water and gasping. “I killed him”, said Johnny.” This piece of evidence shows Johnny saved Ponyboy because the Socs were drowning Ponyboy and Johnny save Ponyboy by killing a Soc named Bob. If Johnny wasn’t brave enough to fight against these big, strong, furious Socs than Ponyboy would have died. This all proves Johnny is brave because he fought off the Socs when they were drowning Ponyboy. But if he didn’t do that, then something bad would’ve happened....

Words: 534 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Comparing Dally And Johnny In The Outsiders By S. E. Hinton

...How can two people be so opposite and similar at the same time?  Such as two friends who act different but have the same past. Dally and Johnny from the book “ The Outsiders” by S.E Hinton are two examples of people who are completely opposite but share common traits and actions.         Johnny and Dally are uniquely similar that both share neglectful and abusive parents. Dally was born and raised on the streets. He never had a good influence growing up or an adult to give him boundaries. Ponyboy refers to Dally’s life as “ … in jail at the age of ten… Dally growing up in the streets.” (90)Dally only has the streets to look to when he needs help or guidance because his parents never gave him the parent attention he needed. Similarly , Johnny had abusive parents and never received attention. Johnny’s mother would always...

Words: 568 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Character Analysis Of Johnny In The Outsiders By S. E. Hinton

...During the reading of “The Outsiders,” written by S.E. Hinton, I automatically felt a connection with Johnny Cade, a greaser who was friends with the main character - Ponyboy. Johnny had a pretty rough life which is made obvious throughout the book. About 4 months before the book begins, Johnny is critically beaten up by a group of Socs which had left him jittery and on edge. That’s not all Johnny has faced with the Socs, however, he has also killed one when the same group tried to drown Ponyboy. Johnny is in a stage of being nervous all the time and carries a blade with him everywhere. A blade that he’ll eventually have to use to protect himself and Ponyboy. However, Johnny is not a wanted criminal, in the eyes of many he is a hero. Most importantly, Johnny is first described as “The gangs pet.” Or “A little dark puppy that has been kicked too many times.” Johnny has had it rough since the beginning. Johnnys parents are viewed as uncaring and unloving. Which is why Johnny basically did anything he wanted because his parents wouldn’t care. He stayed away from home a lot, often sleeping in vacant lots or at Ponyboys house. On top of that, Johnny was severely beaten by a group of Socs last spring. This led to PTSD and fear, and this fear would lead to him potentially killing a Soc....

Words: 582 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Teenage Rebellion

...The two novels The Last Song and The Outsiders both display numerous characteristics of teenage rebellion, where as one is more modern while the other is in an era of irresponsible excess. The more modernistic novel, The Last Song, displays a different outlook, compared to the severity of The Outsiders. There are several reasons behind these teens rebellious outburst, such as abandonment, environment, and revenge. Also, the punishments these teenagers must face are more severe in the more classical novel compared to the more current novel. The rebellious actions shown throughout both novels are quite similar, while displaying the same actions with a modern twist. Overall, today's teens display less severity, compared to the volatile actions of the teenagers in The Outsiders. The severity of the rebellious actions varies between a more modernistic outlook, compared to a classical approach. Ronnie, the main character of The Last Song, rebels against her father by refusing to play the piano. She refuses to use her incredible piano playing skills purposely to hurt her father's feelings. Ronnie also hangs with the wrong crowd, which gets charges filed against her. Although, Ronnie seems like a troubled teen, she does not engage in usage of alcohol or any illegal substances. Ronnie's mother becomes angered with the incidents that continuously occur with Ronnie. “Mom probably believed that the louder she yelled about Ronnie's grades, or Ronnie's friends, or the fact that Ronnie continually...

Words: 1087 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

The Outsiders: a Summary

...The Outsiders is about two weeks in the life of a 14-year-old boy. The novel tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis and his struggles with right and wrong in a society in which he believes that he is an outsider. Ponyboy and his two brothers — Darrel (Darry), who is 20, and Sodapop, who is 16 — have recently lost their parents in an automobile accident. Pony and Soda are allowed to stay under Darry's guardianship as long as they all behave themselves. The boys are greasers, a class term that refers to the young men on the East Side, the poor side of town. The greasers' rivals are the Socs, short for Socials, who are the "West-side rich kids." The story opens with Pony walking home alone from a movie; he is stopped by a gang of Socs who proceed to beat him up. The Socs badly injure and threaten to kill Ponyboy; however, some of his gang happen upon the scene and run the Socs off. This incident sets the tone for the rest of the story, because the event tells the reader that a fight between these two groups needs no provocation. The next night Pony and two other gang members, Dallas Winston (Dally) and Johnny Cade, go to a drive-in movie. There they meet Sherri (Cherry) Valance and her friend Marcia, who have left their Soc boyfriends at the drive-in because the boys were drinking. Dally leaves after giving the girls a hard time, but another greaser, Two-Bit Mathews, joins Pony and Johnny. The boys offer to walk the girls home after the movie, but along the way, the girls' boyfriends...

Words: 822 - Pages: 4