Character Analysis Of Johnny From 'The Outsiders'

I think Johnny is a hero. He is a hero for the reasons of his personality and his characteristics. He revealed heroism numerous times throughout the novel. He was also a very gallant and daring. Even when he killed the Socs, saving the kids in the church may have made up for it. Overall, Johnny was a very caring character who made a large impact in the novel.

One way he used heroism in the book, was through his speaking, which was empathetic. In the text, on pages 178-179 it says, “It’s worth saving those kids. Their lives are worth more than mine, they have more to live for...keep that way, it’s a good way to be...and don’t be so bugged over being a greaser. You still have a lot of time to make yourself be what you want…” This displays

In the text on pages 11-12, it states, “If you can picture a little dark puppy that has been kicked too many times and is lost in a crowd of strangers, you'll have Johnny. He was the youngest, next to me, smaller than the rest, with a slight build. He had big black eyes in a dark tanned face; his hair was jet-black and heavily greased and combed to the side, but it was so long that it fills in shaggy bangs across his forehead. He had a nervous, suspicious look in his eyes, and that beating he got from the Socs didn’t matter.” This is showing that he had been beaten up multiple times, it showed in his face and small build, but he was able to get past it and sacrifice his life to save the little kids that could have died if he and Ponyboy had not retrieved them from the burning church. This is good because without them saving the kids, other bad things may have

In the text on page 12, he exposes his motivation, “ His father was always beating him up, and his mother ignored him, except when she was yelling at him clear down at our house.” This is showing that because he is always getting beat up, he isn’t lashing out and showing selfishness, instead, he may be using anger to motivate him into doing better for the society. Deep down, Johnny is being a hero and has been a hero throughout the whole novel.

Johnny is also encouraging in what he says to Ponyboy in the letter he wrote. In the text on page 148, it says, “Stay gold, Ponyboy, stay gold.” This is showing that Johnny was a kind and uplifting person which may have been another component that guided him to be a hero. Throughout the letter, Johnny also mentioned Dally and this also showed how much he cares about Dally.

Lastly, Johnny showed courage. In the text on pages 91-92, Johnny was valiant because of how he entered the church fire situation, “Hey, Ponyboy. I looked around, startled. I hadn’t realized Johnny had been right behind me all the way.” This is showing that when the church was on fire, instead of waiting for Ponyboy to save everyone, he went in as well to save them. Johnny isn’t a slacker and he didn’t wait for Ponyboy to ask for Johnny's help, he went in without