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The nature of heroism essay
The nature of heroism essay
Heroes in the outsiders
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Have you ever heard of a hoodlum preforming a Good Samaritan act? Well the common stereotype is that hoodlums don’t do anything but hurt the community but two boys broke that stereotype. The Greasers proved to be the heroes in the story, not like the beloved Socs. The three greasers who showed the most heroism are Johnny, Darry, and Dally. This is because they sacrificed themselves to a bigger cause or to save the lives of others.
The first hero that I present to you is Johnny Cade. Johnny’s first act of heroism is in the park the night of the murder. He and Ponyboy are confronted by Bob and Randy as well as three other Socs. The Socs throw him and Ponyboy around until Bob tries to drown Ponyboy in the fountain. Johnny flicks out his switch
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He is the eldest of the three Curtis brothers and he is the father figure of the household ever since their parents died. Darry is not a hero in tights but more of a blue collar hero because he sacrificed everything for his brothers. Darry was captain of the football team and very good in studies but he gave it up for a job roofing houses so he could put food on the table and earn money to put his youngest brother Ponyboy through school. The book states that Darry works two labor intensive jobs and that he gives his weekend time in order to work. This is heroism because He could have been successful by himself while his brother’s suffered. Instead he chose to give himself up for the sake of his brothers. Darry shows heroism during the times he protects his brothers. Whether it be chasing Socs off a potential jumping or during big rumbles when one of his brother’s needs a hand. He is especially protective of his youngest brother Ponyboy. Another was Darry exhibits heroism is the way he takes care of his family in the small ways. Throughout the book Ponyboy says that Darry cooks dinner, makes chocolate cakes, cooks breakfast, and overall the way he holds the family together. Just because Darry isn’t jumping out building on fire doesn’t mean he isn’t a hero, he is more of your everyday hero because he has to sacrifice and help on a daily basis.
The last hero that we will examine is Dally Winston. Dally is the most controversial hero
The Greasers win, but when Dally and Pony go to tell Johnny that they won, he dies during their visit. Dally is destroyed by this and later he calls Pony to tell him that he robbed a store and is being chased by the cops. They hurry to meet him, and see him shot down after he pulls a gun on the police. Pony is scared by what has happened, and convinces himself that he, not Johnny, killed the Soc. He is also afraid that Social Services will take him and Soda away from Darry and into a foster home.
He is smart, and gets good grades in school. This is purposefully mentioned several times within the story, and people tend to be surprised to learn that he is a Greaser. In addition, some Greasers are nicer than people tend to think. When the church burned down, Ponyboy and Johnny run in to save the children without a second thought. They acted with selflessness, putting the safety of the children above their own. In the ambulance on the way to the hospital, Ponyboy is asked if he and Johnny are "professional heroes". He responds by telling the entire story of how they're Greasers and Johnny is wanted for murder, shocking the man in the ambulance. It is difficult for him to believe that a group of Greasers would do something so heroic. Johnny dies as a direct result of their actions, but neither Ponyboy nor Johnny regretted what they
Some people would say that Johnny is not a hero because he killed Bob with a switchblade. Johnny could have went by Bob and pushed him off and run but instead, Johnny kills Bob and decides to run with Pony. That is hit and run but it would have been better if he had told the cops that he had killed a Soc named Bob that is why Johnny is not innocent. However Johnny is a hero because he saved his best friend, Phony, from being drowned by a Soc named Bob. This is a case of self defense because Johnny was saving himself and Pony from getting hurt by the Soc named Bob. Some people think Johnny is not a hero but this proves that he is a hero.
When living sometimes we are faced with difficult decisions that affect our friendships. If you knew you were in a jam, what would you do? Who would you run to? Despite the greasers’ reputation as heartless young criminals, they live by a specific code of friendship and honour. In the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, there are many instances in which the gang members make selfless choices by putting the needs of others ahead of their own. Three examples are, when the gang has each other’s back, Johnny and Ponyboy’s friendship, and Dally risking his life for Johnny.
The Protagonist “Ponyboy Curtis”, had Adversity with Darry. He tried his best to explain all the mistakes that he made, and Darry would just start yelling at him, and go completely insane. Ponyboy didn’t want to live with him that way, because his would’ve
This shows that Greasers get beat up by the Socs, & the Socs drive into the Greaser’s territory to jump them. Johnny gets scared, & after this he never walks alone again. According to pg. 92 of The Outsiders, “I leaped out of the window and heard timber crashing and the flames roaring right behind me. I staggered, almost falling, coughing and sobbing for breath. Then I heard Johnny scream…” This is when Johnny & Ponyboy are trying to save the kids.This shows the violence that Johnny was exposed to. He was exposed to the violence at the church because of the violence he was exposed to when Ponyboy and him got jumped. In total, the Greasers were exposed to a lot of violence in the story.The second reason why the Greasers struggle more than the Socs is because they have to make many sacrifices. Quote from the book to back up your perspective. In the book, Darry had to work to help pay the bills of the house, & to keep Ponyboy in school. He was way overworked, and he didn’t have any freedom to go anywhere because of his
...nny passed away a piece of each Greasers heart passed away as well. Ponyboy who usually aced his classes was lucky to get a C on assignments after Johnny deceased. He dazed off during classes and thought about the gang, mainly Johnny. While Dallas completely lost his mind when Johnny died. Dallas robbed a store to make sure the police followed him. He had made the bold decision to pull out his unloaded gun when he was surrounded by police officers. Dally new that once he pulled out his gun, his life was going to end. Dally had no reasons to stay alive since the only person he actually cared about passed away. Johnny spiritually gave Dally the courage and determination he needed to get through everyday when he was still alive. In other words, the loss and grief their group of Greasers underwent was what made all the boys make illogical decisions.
Greasers were the lowest among the society. The society had negative thoughts towards Greasers, because there were not many things people expected from the Greasers other than doing bad things such as stealing, having rumble, and other bad things that happened around the society. Not every Greaser does bad things, however, the Greasers took the blame for anything bad even if it was the Socs fault. It is because everyone expected the Greasers to do bad things instead of the Socs. Even though the Greasers had a bad reputation, they didn’t care, but instead they enjoyed their lives. Sometimes the Greasers do bad things but only for fun and because it was the society’s expectations. If the Greasers did something good, no one would expect or believe the Greasers did it. No one would ever expect the Greasers to be heroes, just like the man whose kids were saved by Johnny, Ponyboy, and Dallas. “’Mrs. O’Briant and I think you were sent straight from heaven. Or are you just professional heroes or something?’ Sent from heaven? Had he gotten look at Dallas? ‘No, we’re greasers.’” (Page...
"Greasers are almost like hoods; we steal things and drive old souped-up cars and hold up gas stations and have a gang fight once in a while."(3). This quote from the book shows that people will think even worse of the Greasers because of their actions. Normal people would not do what they are doing because they have principles. The Greasers were fugitives, and this gave people an even bigger reason to be fearful of them and consider them a disgrace to society. The Socs did comparable things, but were not punished for them like the Greasers, and were still able to keep a sterling image of themselves. "Not like the Socs, who jump greasers and wreck houses and throw beer blasts for kicks, and get editorials in the paper for being a public disgrace one day and an asset to society the next."(3). Unlike the Greasers, whatever the Socs do, it will not ruin their reputation at all. Overall, from looking at both the Greasers and the Socs, it is easy to say that the Greasers are a bigger disgrace to society concerning their behavior than the
Stand up to the injustice unafraid of the strong enemy. Do the right thing even if you are weak. That is who we call a hero. Johnny could satisfy himself to save his friend. He could literally do anything to save his friend.
There is a hero in us all. A hero is someone who risks their own life to save or do good for others. Ponyboy is a hero because he risked his life to save children from a burning church. Johnny is a hero even though he killed someone it was to save his friend’s life but he also saved children from a burning church. Dally has been arrested, picks fights, and drinks, but when it comes to the people he is close with he has his soft spots for them. All bad boys have a good side.
The first Greaser that I believe is a hero was Ponyboy because he was mentally tough. An example is when he was still attending school and getting straight A’s. Another heroic act was when he stood by Johnny’s side after Johnny murdered Bob, the Soc. He ran away with him while risking the chance of getting into trouble. In chapter six, there was an important scene where Ponyboy was a real hero by being brave and tough. "I'll get them, don't worry!" I started at a dead run for the church, and the man caught my arm. "I'll get them. You kids stay out! I jerked loose and ran on." (Pg. 78) This was when they heard the children’s screams come from inside the church. Ponyboy ran in the burning church and saved the children without hesitation. These are some reasons why Ponyboy was a hero.
When Johnny and Pony killed Bob, Dally covered for them and had them go hide out in the church until the cops were gone. Also, when Pony and Johnny went into the burning church to save the kids, Dally put out the fire that was on Pony’s back and he attempted to save Johnny. Johnny was heroic because he killed Bob when he was trying to kill him and Pony. Also, he was heroic because he went into the burning church to save the kids. Without Johnny doing that, the kids would’ve been burned to death or gotten seriously hurt. In conclusion, Dall is heroic because he helped Johnny out in the police situation, and Johnny is heroic because he saved the
Heroes. Everyone wants to be a hero, but sometimes, people lose sight of what a true hero really is. It does not have to be someone who flies around and saves innocent people from perilous monsters. A hero is simply someone that inspires others. In Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Junior was a hero because he rose above the expectations the world placed on him through his courage, passionate determination, and sympathetic perception.
For instance, “It had taken more than nerve for him to say what he'd said to Dally—Johnny worshiped the ground Dallas walked on, and I had never heard Johnny talk back to anyone, much less his hero.” (pg. 24) This means that even though Johnny respected Dally because he was there for him when his parents weren’t, he took a risky step and stopped him from doing something wrong. By doing this, it shows that Johnny isn’t afraid to protect others like Cherry when the situation involved his friend Dally. More importantly, “I swear, you three are the bravest kids I’ve seen in a long time. First you and the blacked-haired kid climbing in that window, and then the tough-looking kid going back in to save him. Mrs. O'Briant and I think you were sent straight from heaven. Or are you just professional heroes or something?” (pg. 95) As shown, it is important to realize that Johnny, Ponyboy, and Dally wouldn’t only defend their gang members, but they would also endanger their own lives in order to save others. It proves that their act of heroism can be used in all situations. No matter what situation they are in, the Greasers use their heroic actions towards not only their gang members but other people