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The Outsiders Character Analysis

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The word hero has a variety of meanings in the book, The Outsiders. Readers may view Johnny and Ponyboy as heroes for their bravery to save the children from the burning church, while others may view Dallas Winston as fearless for all of the dangerous stunts he pulled throughout his reckless life. Although being physically tough and courageous are heroic traits to most audiences, many people often overlook the importance of being tough and courageous within the mind, and through words spoken. Cherry Valance is looked up to by the students at her school, her friends, and even greasers, like Pony. Sherri, who is also known as Cherry, is not afraid to speak her mind to anyone, but she is still able to control her emotions during times of despair. There is something about Valance’s personality that is admired by versatile groups. In The Outsiders, Hinton portrays Cherry Valance as a teenage girl who is not intimidated by anyone. She displays this through her use of words and tone while talking to people. In Chapter Two, Sherri left her boyfriend because she did not want to put up with him, Hinton says, “They’d (Cherry and Marcia) come with their boyfriends, but walked out on them when they found out the boys had brought some booze along”. In this situation, Cherry spoke up to the inebriated boys who easily could have hurt them in a physical or emotional way. Likewise, when Dallas began to hit on her at the drive-in movie, she, knowing he was a treacherous greaser, said to him,

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