The Outsiders Honorable

Can people who are lawless become honorable? In the book, The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton, there are these people called Greasers. Greasers are gang members that are brave and protective between one another. They also stand up for each other. The Greasers do break the law sometimes, but they are still honorable because they help each other out, they protect each other, and they love and care for each other.
To begin, The Greasers help each other out. When Ponyboy went into the burning church, Johnny quickly went in after him. Even Dally came to help them. “I’ll get them, don’t worry!” (91). “ I hadn’t realized Johnny had been right behind me all the way” (91). This means that they are sacrificing themselves for others. This shows honor because they are helping each other to save kids from burning to death. This proves that they are honorable because they are putting their lives behind the kids’. Johnny, Ponyboy, and Dally are sacrificing themselves for others. Also, in the rumble, Dally came to help the Greasers fight against the Socs even though he is still recovering from an incident. “‘Hold up!’...Dallas Winston ran to join us. Dally was having a hard time because his left arm was still in bad shape” (143). This shows that Dally is willing to help his gang out even though he is still

recovering from an injury. This proves that he is generous and he wants to help out. To conclude, Dally helping out the gang was a sign of generosity.
In addition, the Greasers protect each other. Johnny actually killed Bob to scare away the other Socs. He did it to save Ponyboy’s life, but ended someone else’s. “I killed him...I had to. They were drowning you” (56). This is being honorable because it must have took a lot of bravery and courage to kill someone to save another. It was really the only choice he had or else Ponyboy would have been a goner. He did what was actually the right thing to do and killed Bob. Therefore, Johnny killing Bob was an honorable action.
Furthermore, the Greasers care for each other. The gang visits Johnny in the hospital to see if he was doing well. “We’re going to see Johnny” (145). This is an honorable action because it shows that Ponyboy, Dally and the others really care and love Johnny. Also, Johnny cares for them as well. Johnny also shoved Ponyboy out of the burning church instead of going out himself. “Johnny shoved me toward the window. ‘Get out!’” (93). This is honorable because it shows that Johnny cares more about Ponyboy. Johnny does not want Ponyboy to get hurt the way Johnny did after the roof fell on him. This proves that Johnny would rather have Ponyboy be safe than himself. Overall, the gang cares for each other.
Some readers may think that the Greasers are dishonorable because the careless.

Ponyboy and Johnny were not careful of their cigarettes and that led to negative consequences. Ponyboy and Johnny lit a church on fire, with little children in it. Burning something down is vandalism and also, kid’s lives were in danger. However, Ponyboy and Johnny went in the fire to save the children to own up the their mistake. This shows selfishness because Ponyboy and Johnny are willing to risk their lives so save children trapped in the building. This proves that they are honorable. Ponyboy and Johnny knew they caused the fire so they decided to go rescue the kids to make for what they

did.
They Greasers can be lawless at some point, but they are still honorable. They are still honorable because they love each other. They sacrifice themselves for others. They also aid one another. To the outside society, the Greasers may look like evil gang members up to no good, but with in their gang, they are honorable family that will stand up for each other.