This character used to run with gangs in New York. He always gets into trouble and is proud of his police record.
Dallas (Dally) Winston
Johnny is a very scared, nervous and jumpy character after this happened to him.
He got jumped by the Soc's
This theme is shown through the divide between the Greasers and the Soc’s.
Social/ Class Conflict
An organized fight between the Greasers and the Soc’s
A rumble
“Stay gold, Ponyboy, stay gold.”
Johnny
This character is 16 years old and has fearful eyes. He sees the greasers as his true family instead of his family who abuse him.
Johnny Cade
After Johnny’s death, this character died on the same day by being shot by the police.
Dally got shot by the police.
This theme is shown through the sacrifices characters make in the novel to help/support those around them.
Love
An intense feeling of suffering.
Agony
“It’s okay, we aren’t from the same class. Just don’t forget that some of us watch the sunset too.”
Ponyboy
This character is Bob’s girlfriend. She is a Soc cheerleader who acts as a spy for the Greasers.
Cherry Valance
As the church is burning, these two characters acted as heros and ran into the flames to save the children inside.
Johnny and Ponyboy.
According to Ponyboy, this theme is the thread that holds the Greaser’s together, even if they do not always get along.
Loyalty
Having common sense or good judgement.
Savvy
“Greasers will still be greasers and Socs will still be Socs. Sometimes I think it’s the ones in the middle that are really the lucky stiffs.”
Randy
This character is the joker of the Greaser group. He regularly shop lifts and carries a black-handled switchblade that he is very proud of.
Two - Bit Matthews
This character stabs a Soc in the park and kills the Soc to save his friend’s life.
Johnny
This theme in the novel is a problem that never ends. It drives all of the action in the novel. (examples: child abuse, stabbings, shootings, rumbles)
Violence
Incapable of being fully explored or understood:
Unfathomable
"I am a greaser. I am a JD and a hood. I blacken the name of our fair city. I beat up people. I rob gas stations. I am a menace to society. Man, do I have fun!"
Sodapop
This character is strong, athletic and intelligent. He is the oldest of the Greasers and has two jobs to help his family survive.
Darrel (Darry) Curtis
Because of this event, Darry had to drop out of school and pick up two jobs to support his family.
Darry, Sodapop, and Ponyboy's parents died in a car crash.
This theme is shown through the judgement that Greaser’s receive based off of their leather jackets and greased back hair.
Appearances
Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant
Aloofness
"I was crazy, you know that, kid? Crazy for wantin' Johnny to stay out of trouble, for not wantin' him to get hard. If he'd been like me he'd never have been in this mess."
Dallas Winston (Dally)