Ponyboy Curtis In The Outsiders

We all think that throughout the book Ponyboy changes so much, but the start and the end of the book helps us to understand he hasn’t changed at all, which is what they all want from him to stay the kind, caring,

After being traumatized by losing his best friend and his parents Ponyboy had a hard time maturing. Throughout “The Outsiders”, challenging conflicts between the Socs and Greasers caused man vs man aggression. For example, the fight between Johnny and Bob in the park during the rumble that resulted in Bob’s death. Ponyboy learns that his behaviour impacts others, and this maturity leads to the telling of The Outsiders story. Ponyboy develops the internal strength to stay gold by the end of the book.

Johnny’s last words to Ponyboy were, “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold…”. I found this in Chapter 9, on pg. 148. Johnny is referring to the poem that can be found in Chapter 5, on pg. 78. When Johnny tells Ponyboy to stay gold, he is referring to the fact that Ponyboy was innocent when Johnny killed Bob. In the poem, gold is the first hue of nature, the hardest to hold, which also symbolizes children’s innocence.

Ponyboy was reserved and humble, he didn’t do anything crazy. He doesn’t do anything drastic because he doesn’t want to face the wrath of Darry, his brother. Sometimes he can be very emotional and sensitive. He is 14, and no matter what he will always stick up for his gang. He always cares about others and how they feel and he isn’t self-centered. Also, he always does what he thinks is best for the group.

Have you ever wondered how the 1960’s was like? Would you have been fearful, jovial, or melancholy? In the book, The Outsiders, by S. E. Hinton the main character Ponyboy Curtis lives with his two brothers, Sodapop and Darry, and is involved in a gang called the “greasers.” Ponyboy realizes what it is to be a kind person instead of being violent, he is always on top of his studies and is very observant of others.

It is understood why some people would disagree and think that Ponyboy would be better off in a more stable environment where no gangs or violence occurred. “Greasers can't walk alone too much or they'll get jumped, or someone will come by and

When he was told by Dally to run away from the police, Johnny's first reaction was to turn he and Ponyboy in like a pure, good kid would. But, Johnny hardened up and faced the fact that life was about hardening up, as he ran away with his partner in crime (literally). Johnny's final words came to Ponyboy when he whimpered "Stay gold Ponyboy, stay gold," trying to keep his pal from the same

Ponyboy recites a poem by Robert Frost that quotes “Nothing gold can stay”. This is symbolic of Johnny’s tragic death as a casualty. Ponyboy and Johnny watch a sunrise together on the back steps of the church in Windrixville, and this is where Johnny gets to really begin his life because he had never left Tulsa before, and he had never gotten to really live life before that. That is what makes Johnny gold. Johnny goes on to explain this in his letter to Ponyboy after he dies, how the word gold in the poem meant innocent. Johnny was innocent because he had never really lived until those last few days, and then he couldn’t stay because of what happens to him. Later in the story, they come back to the church and see that it is on fire. It is afternoon when this occurs, which is symbolic of the middle of Johnny’s life, or the epitome. This is where he completes his greatest action, which was saving the little kids from burning. It is the brightest time in his life, just like the sun is at its brightest during that time of the day. Then, when he is in the hospital and the last rumble is happening, it is night. This is symbolic of the end of Johnny’s tragically short life. All this has occurred in a few days, and that’s exactly how much Johnny got to live a real life. He wasn’t living when he was trapped in his abusive parents’ house. He only

a very handy pacifier for him such as: When he thought he might go to

Johnny’s last words to Ponyboy are “‘Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold…’” (148). What he means by this is stay innocent, because when you get older, that innocence goes away. “Stay gold” is a reference to the poem the Pony had told Johnny about.

This time, Johnny stood up to them and saved Ponyboy's life, exemplifying heroism. Later in the story, Johnny is dying. After his death, Ponyboy is encouraged by a letter that Johnny wants Ponyboy to “stay gold,” or in other words, to keep his innocence for as long as he can. Killing Bob changed Johnny and he wants to inspire Ponyboy as well as the reader to stay good and pure. However, Johnny was a hero when he saved these children from a huge disaster.

I believe Ponyboy has changed the most throughout the novel because his personality before was a laid back kid that enjoyed watching movies and reading books. He was the type of kid that didn’t like to fight, but if he had to for self defence he would. In the ending of the novel you can really tell that he has grown on a person. In the beginning of the novel Ponyboy was more of a scared spinless kid you could say compared to everyone that would get into rumbles (or fights as they were). In the middle of the novel we read that Johnny cade the pet of the group kills Bob Am Soc. Johnny had to kill him because if he didn’t Ponyboy would have probably died since at the time Bob was trying to drown Pony. After that incident

Since Ponyboy is an outsider and he’s different than the rest of the greasers he reminds me of Greg Heffley in the book “Diary of a Whimpy Kid.” Greg is an outsider and, like Ponyboy, doesn’t have anyone that REALLY relates to him. Sure he has one close friend Rodney, like Ponyboy has Sodapop, but they don’t have the same feelings and interests. So both Rodney and Ponyboy are outsiders even when they’re with their friends. Another similarity between the two characters is they have one older brother that yells and is strict. Ponyboy and Greg both have different interests than the rest of their friends and family. These two characters are very similar.

“The Outsiders”, by S.E. Hinton, is centered around Ponyboy’s path to maturity and the life lessons he learns along the way. The novel follows Ponyboy, a greaser, and his gang’s conflict with the Socials, a rival gang. In it, he learns to not judge people hastily and reject gang mentality. Ponyboy also loses his innocence. The following paragraphs will explore his growth throughout “The Outsiders”.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is a novel about two neighborhoods separated because of classes in society. In these two neighborhoods, teenagers are separated into two different gangs, the lower-class Greasers and the upper-class Socs. Ponyboy, a greaser comes from a hard life. His parents died and he is left being raised by his older brother Darry. After both his brothers failed at accomplishing their dreams in life, Pony is left feeling like he will only be a greaser. Throughout the novel, Ponyboy realizes he has many traits making him have an outstanding future, such as his intelligence instincts and heroic skills.