The Outsiders Characters Analysis
Ponyboy Curtis - The Protagonist of the novel is a young teenager of 1, growing up in the poverty-stricken stricken East Side of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ponyboy is considered to be a Greaser because he grows up in the poorer section of the town. He has two brothers, and his eldest brother of twenty, Darry, has been his guardian since their parents passed away during a terrible accident. Ponyboy is an intelligent teenager, who loves reading books and watching movies, especially the ones with Paul Newman. Ponyboy always gets great grades at school, and he is the youngest member of their gang.
Johnny Cade - Johnny is Ponyboy’s best friend, and a favorite of nearly all members of the gang, especially Dally. Johnny is a boy of small stature and has a troubled family life. His abusive father beats him often, while his mother does little more than neglect him. Johnny spends most of his nights sleeping in the homes of the other members of his gang. Johnny becomes a nervous wreck after he is ambushed by a group of Socs led by Bob, and beaten brutally. This incident causes Johnny to carry a knife, which eventually leads to him using the knife to kill Bob, who attempts to assault him a second time. Johnny and Ponyboy go into hiding after the murder, but he ultimately decides to confess to the authorities. Johnny sustains life-threatening injuries while saving children from a burning church, and he eventually succumbs to them.
Sodapop Curtis - The middle Curtis brother is often described by Ponyboy as being handsome enough to be a popular Hollywood star. Sodapop has a jolly personality, and he is especially close with his siblings, even though they don’t always get along with each other. Sodapop is a high school dropout, and he works at a gas station with his best friend. Near the end of the novel, readers learn that Soda is deeply affected by his brothers’ quarrels. He ultimately serves as the means for Darry and Ponyboy to reconcile with one another completely.
Darrel Curtis (Darry) - The Eldest Curtis brother works two jobs, and serves as the primary guardian for both of his younger siblings. The gang members also view him as the leader of their gang, even though he doesn’t have the characteristic greasy hair of the Greaser gang. Ponyboy has trouble getting along with his eldest brother because he sees himself as a burden, and takes his brother’s brusque scolding to mean that he is unwanted.
Dallas - The Toughest and meanest member of the Greaser gang, who has been to prison several times since he was barely ten years old. Dally, as he is called by the other members of the gang, shares a particularly close relationship with Johnny. After Bob’s death, Johnny and Ponyboy go directly to Dallas for help, and he aids them without a second thought. He tells them of a place where they can remain hidden from the law, gives them money for supplies, and even comes to see them when the coast is clear. Dally is deeply hurt by Johnny’s death and partly blames himself for it. He is shot down by the police when he pulls out an unloaded gun on them after robbing a grocery store.
