The Outsiders Ponyboy Curtis

Ponyboy Curtis is a crucial protagonist in the novel, The Outsiders. He lives with his two brothers–Sodapop and Darry. At the beginning of the book, Ponyboy was 14 years old and hasn’t seen his parents for quite sometime before their tragic death. 

According to the novel, his hair is one of the most exciting features of his body. He asserts that he hasn’t had a haircut in over 6 months and that he looks better with long hair.

As part of his identity as a Greaser, Ponyboy’s hair is all he has to hold onto. Darry describes Ponyboy as someone whose ability to think isn’t always common sense. Sometimes, Ponyboy gets into a lot of trouble. Sometimes, this is something he could have easily dodged if he wanted. 

As the play continues, you learn that his behavior impacts others. When this discovery sets in, he starts telling us the story of “The Outsiders.” He’s a literary kid with an educational accomplishment on par with other Greasers. He narrates the first-person point of view.

When people first see Ponyboy, they may perceive him as an intimidating hooligan. Nevertheless, he discovers that first impressions aren’t always accurate, and what people seem to be isn’t always what they are. 

Furthermore, he learns that someone who is beneath the surface of our interactions usually takes time. Additionally, he has found a way to live in the world again by writing, expressing himself, and reaching out to others in need. 

When Ponyboy falls, the people he chooses to surround himself with are the Greasers. It is through his closest friends from Greaserhood that he finds safety and security. Among his two best friends, I would probably choose Johnny Cade and Sodapop Curtis. 

Johnny Cade initially perceives himself as just the “gang’s pet,” but in reality, he has “big black eyes with dark tanned features” (Hinton 11).

Physical and mental abuse by his parents left Johnny scarred and broken. But his scars became badges of honor in a way as he was able to defend his friends from the Socs. Johnny saved kids from a building that was on fire, stood up to Dally, and saved abandoned people. Johnny’s ability to fight any obstacle makes him an iconic character. Even when Johnny was abused by his parents and had thoughts of killing someone, he still managed to smile. 

This book has different characters, but it also includes a character who challenges Ponyboy at every opportunity. That character is Darry, and though they disagree on many things, the brothers are still close. Darry’s eyes are dark brown, and his hair is dark gold. His most significant aspect of the story is that he’s one of the few (other than Johnny) who can understand Ponyboy. Plus, he’s the only person left for Ponyboy to rely on in times when he feels lost and alone, something that is important to him. Despite his many years of experience, this character still believes he is brilliant. He is memorable because of his pursuit of love and compassion. This is different from the other characters in the book because he isn’t getting married and doesn’t have the looks to attract women. 

Ponyboy Curtis, the youngest protagonist in the novel, narrates events with a slangy vocabulary. Despite his young age, he understands how his social group works and the roles each member plays. As the reader, you are viewing the plot primarily through Ponyboy’s perspective. He sees that Two-Bit is the wisecracker, Darry is the natural leader, and Dally is even more dangerous. 

The novel contains themes like prejudice and race so people can apply them to their lives. “The Outsiders” has a literary bent and makes it clear that the dictionary definition of poverty doesn’t define who you are as a person. The novel focuses on the development of Ponyboy Curtis, as well as the rival gangs.