Outsiders Essay Ponyboy

1393 Words3 Pages

In The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, Ponyboy, the young protagonist is a member of the greaser gang along with his older brother Darry; both brothers have a difficult life, but are able to rise above that and perform noble deeds. Ponyboy, a kind, fourteen-year-old orphan with light brown hair and greenish-grey eyes, has to deal with many obstacles. His parents die in a car crash and he lives with only his two older brothers, Darry and Sodapop. Darry is constantly pressuring Ponyboy to do well in school so he can get a scholarship. Since he is a greaser, he is at great risk of being jumped by the Socs, another gang in his town. Ponyboy does not enjoy being a greaser because he does not believe fighting, stealing, or perpetrating terrible crimes …show more content…

Ponyboy saves up money to try to buy back Sodapop's horse, Mickey Mouse. However, his most noble act is saving little children from a burning, abandoned church with the assistance of Johnny and Dally, two other members of the gang. After all the dreadful experiences Ponyboy endures, he feels he must tell his story to help people like him. Like Ponyboy, Darry suffers from having to live a very rough life, but still manages to produce acts of nobleness. Darry, a strict, 20-year-old muscular man with dark hair and brown eyes, has to deal with many hardships. Since both his parents die, Darry becomes the caretaker of his two younger brothers. He gives up his chance to go to college and instead must work excessively hard to support the family. Although Darry has to endure these hardships, he is still able to execute bighearted acts. Darry manages to always be the father figure of the greaser gang. He also overworks himself so he can help the family and give his little brothers their greatest shot in life. Both Darry and Pony could prosper from programs. Darry and Ponyboy, constantly have arguments and disagreements so maybe group therapy could be beneficial to …show more content…

Cherry, a cheerleader with long red hair from the west side of town deals with problems. She is put under pressure by the other Socs and does not feel free to be herself, because of the divide between the greasers and Socs. When Bob is drunk and tries to pick a fight with Ponyboy and Johnny, she forces herself to go home with him so Pony and Johnny do not get hurt. Cherry even has to confront the grief that follows the murdering of Bob. Although Cherry has to face a lot, she still performs honorable deeds. Cherry accepts Ponyboy and Johnny for who they are rather than treat them like the rest of the Socs do, when she meets them at the movies. She also agrees to be a spy for the greasers, and risks her reputation in the town to assist the greasers because she strives to see the kindness in everyone. Cherry is not the only Soc that faces troubles in their life, but manages to complete acts of big-heartedness. Randy, a rich kid from the west side encounters strenuous times, yet he performs acts of kindness. Randy is constantly afraid of what his pals, and the town will think of him if he does what he would like to do. He wants to not go to the rumble, but he is scared of what people might think. Randy even have to witness his best friend Bob being brutally murdered, and bleeding to death. Although Randy, suffers from these tough

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