Who is Ponyboy in Susan E. Hinton's novel, The Outsiders?

    Ponyboy is one of the three Curtis Brothers and the main character of the Susan E. Hinton teen classic, The Outsiders. He is a handsome, sensitive young member of the Greasers, a gang of lower class youth in the unidentified town (supposedly Tulsa, Oklahoma) that serves as the setting. Unlike his other brothers, Darry and Sodapop, Ponyboy is an excellent student with a love of reading and a talent for writing. His best friend is Johnny Cade, and together they become involved in the murder of a member of the rival gang, the Socs (Socialites). Johnny and Ponyboy are forced to leave town and hide out, setting the stage for later heroics, gang fights and deaths involving the Greasers and the Socs.

How does Ponyboy see himself in the novel The Outsiders?

In Chapter 1, Ponyboy comments that he believes he is intelligent but has a tendency to make bad decisions. When Pony decides to walk to the movies by himself, he says,

"It drives my brother Darry nuts when I do stuff like that, 'cause I'm supposed to be smart; I make good grades and have a high IQ and everything, but I don't use my head" (Hinton 4).

In addition to being intelligent, Ponyboy also sees himself as a good athlete. In Chapter 7, Ponyboy says,

"I'm on the A-squad track team, the youngest one. I'm a good runner" (Hinton 91).

Ponyboy also has a tendency to be selfish and not think about others. Throughout the novel, he does not appreciate Darry for the sacrifices that he makes on a daily basis. Ponyboy also does not listen to Sodapop's issues and is rather naive when it comes to understanding his brothers' feelings. At the end of the novel, Sodapop runs out of the house after hearing Darry and Ponyboy argue. Pony and Darry chase after him and when they finally catch up to Sodapop, Pony makes a startling realization. Ponyboy mentions,

"I suddenly realized that Darry was only twenty, that he wasn't so much older that he couldn't feel scared or hurt and as lost as the rest of us. I saw that I had expected Darry to do all the understanding without even trying to understand him" (Hinton 150).

At the end of the novel, Ponyboy is aware of how his behavior has been affecting Sodapop and starts to appreciate Darry. Throughout the novel, Ponyboy sees himself as an intelligent, athletic, and sympathetic individual.

How does Darry see himself in Ponyboy in The Outsiders?

Darry was a sportsman who was capable of attaining a sports scholarship to take him to college. Likewise, Ponyboy is talented at sport, though he is a good track runner whereas Darry was a footballer.

Darry had to leave school to look after his brothers after their parents were killed in a car accident. He is devoted to his family, as Ponyboy is. Darry can see that Ponyboy has the potential to leave the Greasers and become his own person: Darry himself had this opportunity but chose to delay his future to support his family.

Who is the character Ponyboy in The Outsiders?

Ponyboy refers to Ponyboy Curtis, the narrator of the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.

Because he is the narrator of the novel, all of the events that take place throughout the story are described through his eyes. He is set apart from the other Greasers because he remains a compassionate character even though he experiences many difficult situations throughout the book, like the death of both of his parents. He lives with his two brothers, Sodapop and Darry, and they try to avoid ending up in foster care throughout the story.

Ponyboy's compassion and sincerity are demonstrated by his love for poetry, as well as his ability to reflect on situations. Throughout the novel, the reader can sense Ponyboy's maturation through his description of all of the characters and situations of the book. 

What is your opinion of the character Ponyboy in The Outsiders?

Ponyboy represents the possibility that it is possible to escape one's surroundings. I think that SE Hinton wants us to see that through his writing and his track skills Ponyboy can achieve the dream that Darry has set him up for - to be able to live a life not confined to gang culture.

Ponyboy's ability to eventually empathise with the Soc's and to see that it is possible to see beyond a stereotype makes him an engaging character for young people.

What is your opinion of the character Ponyboy in The Outsiders?

I think Ponyboy is salvagable. This means, that he has the possibility of assimilating into society in a socially acceptable way. He has the brains, talent, and courage. Soda and Darry might have to sacrifice their hopes and dreams (and I think they gladly would).

What is your opinion of the character Ponyboy in The Outsiders?

I think that you would want to develop a forum where you analyze Ponyboy's actions, thoughts, motivations, and general intent.  You would want to create as comprehensive a portrait as possible of him in developing your own opinion of him.  Perhaps, you would offer personal comments on whether his actions or desires are traits you would embody or with which there can be empathy.  I am fascinated by the fact that he is so much an adolescent:  He seeks connection, but is equally drawn to his own identity away from others.  This makes him very human and highly approachable.

What is Ponyboy's character like in The Outsiders?

Ponyboy is an interesting character, as are his brothers, because to outsiders, they appear to be nothing more than greasers, but in actuality, the boys were living a fairly normal, middle class existence until they lost their parents.  Ponyboy's oldest brother, Darry, was a good student and great high school football player, but had to abandon his education to take care of his brothers.  Darry has projected his hopes for a better life onto Ponyboy, who is a good student; they primary conflict between those two relates to Darry's pressuring Ponyboy to make curfew and get his homework done well.  Ponyboy has a real interest in and affinity for literature, both reading and writing it, and other things of the spirit; he is observant, and wonders sometimes about the sunset on his side of town looking the same as the sunset on the affluent side of town.  Johnny has kind of an artistic side to him as well, and the boys entertain themselves reading "Gone With the Wind" when they are hiding in the church after Bob's murder. 

How does Ponyboy mature in The Outsiders?

Ponyboy learns that despite the obvious differences between the Socs and the Greasers, he has the scope to be whatever he chooses. He learns this through his relationships with those on both sides of the battle: his brothers, the enigmatic Dallas Winston, the brave Cherry Valance and his tragic friend Johnny. It is in Johnny's letter where Ponyboy finally understands the significance of the line from the Frost poem, 'stay gold'. Ponyboy writes the account of the events which have affected him so much, and which have shown him the value in everyone around him.

Maybe the two different worlds we lived in weren't so different. We saw the same sunset.

How does Ponyboy describe his brother in The Outsiders?

Pony describes Darry as being six foot two with broad shoulders and a muscular build. According to Pony, Darry also has dark brown hair that kicks out in the front, with a cowlick in the back. Darry is also a spitting image of Pony's father, except his eyes are "like two pale blue-green pieces of ice." Although he is only twenty years old, Darry looks significantly older and has a cool, smart demeanor. Pony also mentions that Darry would be handsome if he didn't have such a hard, determined look in his eyes. Unlike Sodapop, Darry is extremely strict and serious. He does not particularly get along with Pony and works two jobs to make ends meet. Pony believes that Darry works too hard and resents the fact that he is so strict with him.

In contrast, Pony describes Sodapop as extremely attractive, with movie-star looks. Sodapop is not as tall as Darry but has a slimmer build and a sensitive face. Sodapop also has dark gold hair that he slicks back and lively dark brown eyes, which can be gentle one moment and reckless the next. Pony also mentions that Sodapop has his father's eyes and is a carefree, fun-loving teenager. Pony finds Sodapop to be significantly more understanding than Darry and gets along with him better. As the novel progresses, Pony discovers that Darry genuinely loves him, and their relationship gradually improves.

How does Ponyboy's character evolve in The Outsiders?

After Johnny's and Dally's deaths, Pony engages in some deep introspection and realizes that maybe settling for the way Greasers have always lived isn't his best option for having a meaningful life.

When the gang begins gathering for the fight against Socs, Pony begins to question his place there:

Why do I fight? I thought, and couldn't think of any real good reason. There isn't any real good reason for fighting except self-defense.

This is a marked change in attitude from Pony, who has previously engaged in Greaser fights with his group simply because that's what he believes Greasers do. After seeing how quickly their lives can end—Socs as well as Greasers—his perspective shifts.

He also realizes that Socs do not live the problem-free lives he's envisioned. He even begins to recognize that Bob, who had tried to drown him and whose death he certainly didn't mourn early in the book, was scared, too:

I looked at Bob's picture and I could begin to see the person we had killed. A reckless, hot-tempered boy, cocky and scared stiff at the same time.

Ponyboy begins to realize that "things are rough all over" and that living any type of lifestyle comes with its own set of struggles.

Pony also learns that even people who seem to live a carefree life are often covering lots of hurt under the surface. Near the end, Darry tells him that Soda's girlfriend has gotten pregnant—but the baby isn't Soda's. Soda even offered to marry her and claim the child as his own, but Sandy moves away. Ponyboy considers this:

And while I was thinking about it, I realized that I never had paid much attention to Soda's problems. Darry and I just took it for granted that he didn't have any.

Thus, Pony matures to understand that some people are simply better at hiding pain than others.

In the end, Pony listens to the advice from Johnny in a letter he'd written before dying:

And don't be so bugged over being a greaser. You still have a lot o f time to make yourself be what you want. There's still lots of good in the world. Tell Dally. I don't think he knows.

Pony realizes that he is more than just a Greaser and that he, unlike his dead friends, has a lifetime to become a good man and live a life that will make a positive difference in the world.

How does Ponyboy's character evolve in The Outsiders?

Throughout the course of the novel, Ponyboy gains perspective on life and becomes sympathetic to Darry's situation. At the beginning of the story, Pony believes that his oldest brother does not truly care about him and feels that the Soc gang members live perfect lives. As the novel progresses, Ponyboy becomes friends with Cherry Valance, a Soc cheerleader, and learns that Socs have their own unique set of struggles. Following the church fire, Ponyboy realizes that Darry does love him and is concerned about his future. As Ponyboy matures, he views various members of the gang differently. Johnny has a significant impact on Ponyboy's perspective, and Pony realizes that other Greasers are complex individuals with positive attributes, despite their tough reputations. Ponyboy learns to admire Dally for his courage and loyalty, as well as Johnny for his intelligence and insight. Sodapop also helps Ponyboy reflect upon his actions and encourages him to get along with Darry. Ponyboy ends up maturing into a sympathetic, insightful individual by the end of the novel.

How does Ponyboy's character evolve in The Outsiders?

Ponyboy Curtis probably changes more throughout the course of The Outsiders than any other character. His loss of innocence is a major theme of the novel. Pony is a good student at the start of the story, and he is a member of the track team. Aside from the death of his parents, Pony has suffered less than most of the characters. His older brother, Darry, tries to protect him from the gang violence that erupts with the Socs, and he chastizes Pony after he is jumped by a Soc gang while walking alone. Darry rarely allows Pony to go out on school days, for he knows that Pony has a bright future ahead of him--unlike most of the other greasers.

However, the attack by the Socs in the park leaves Bob Sheldon dead, and Pony and Johnny decide to leave town and hide out in an abandoned church outside Windrixville. Pony endures the fear of the unknown and worries about what will happen to them when they are finally caught. When the church catches fire (because of Pony's burning cigarette), he and Johnny scramble inside the burning building to save the children inside. Pony's life changes forever following his heroic act. Johnny is severely burned, and finally dies from his injuries, costing Pony his best friend. His health has been compromised, and he receives a concussion in the rumble. Following Johnny's death, Pony seem to give up hope of resuming his old life. His friends worry that he has grown hard, like Dally, and they hope that he will return to his old ways. In the end, when it appears that he may have to repeat a year of high school, his English teacher allows him extra time to complete an essay. Pony decides to tell his story, that of The Outsiders. 

How does Ponyboy's character evolve in The Outsiders?

Ponyboy matured the most in the sense that he was able to negotiate the pain and loss of losing his friends, as well as his subsequent depression, and was able to learn from the experience, altering his perception of identity.  In the beginning of the novel, Ponyboy struggled with his view of society in which the Socs seemed to have it all and the greasers had "all the rough breaks."  By the end of the novel, Ponyboy has come to realize that "things are rough all over" like Cherry Valance pointed out.  From talking to Cherry and even Randy, Bob's best friend, Pony learns to appreciate that the greasers and Socs both have their own set of difficulties.  In the resolution of The Outsiders, Pony resolves to tell the stories of his friends and Johnny's message with the hope of making a difference for other boys.

How does Ponyboy's character evolve in The Outsiders?

Ponyboy changes over the course of the novel by becoming more aware of the pain that exists everywhere and by realizing that he has the opportunity to live a more fulfilling life.

As the story opens, Ponyboy sees himself as a victim of sorts, feeling that life has given him a bad hand that just isn't fair. Meanwhile, he believes that people like Randy and Bob have been given all of life's advantages because of their privileged social standing. It is Cherry Valance who first opens Pony's eyes to the reality that pain is not confined to the poor and that the wealthy have problems of their own. She explains,

"I'll bet you think the Socs have it made. The rich kids, the West-side Socs. I'll tell you something, Ponyboy, and it may come as a surprise. We have troubles you've never even heard of. You want to know something?" She looked me straight in the eye. "Things are rough all over."

At this point in the story, Pony can't fathom what "problems" the wealthy could possibly have. Later in the book, however, he begins to realize that being wealthy doesn't exclude people from pain. As he looks at Bob's picture, he begins to understand the fear that unites humanity:

I looked at Bob's picture and I could begin to see the person we had killed. A reckless, hot-tempered boy, cocky and scared stiff at the same time.

Pony begins to recognize the truth in Cherry's statement that "things are rough all over," which is compounded when Ponyboy loses his closest friend, Johnny, after the two save a group of kids from a burning church. Johnny sees the goodness in Pony, and before he dies, he asks Pony to "stay gold." This is fairly transformative for Pony, who has existed in a world of conflict and fighting for years. In fact, being tough is part of the greaser image. Yet after Johnny dies, Pony begins to understand that living in constant conflict with others isn't particularly helpful:

Why do I fight? I thought, and couldn't think of any real good reason. There isn't any real good reason for fighting except self-defense.

Because of the pain, loss, and conflict he faces, Pony emerges as a character who demonstrates greater empathy and wisdom by the novel's conclusion. He realizes that some people, like Soda, hide pain better than others; he also begins to understand that pain is universal as both the Socs and the greasers lose people they care about. Pony begins to comprehend that he has a personal responsibility to honor both his dead friends and the "hundreds and hundreds of boys living on the wrong sides of cities" by sharing that "there's still lots of good in the world," as Johnny realized before he died. This new understanding and commitment to improving his world demonstrates Ponyboy's growth in maturity.

How does Ponyboy's character evolve in The Outsiders?

Most of the events in the story help Ponyboy mature in some way.  The story takes place over a relatively short period of time, so the book reads more like a single major event vs. a long period of maturation.  I do think that a few sequences show punctuated development in Ponyboy though.  There is no particular order to my list. 

I think one event that shows maturity is the church fire.  The entire goal of staying at the church was to stay low and off of the radar.  Pony and Johnny were successful at that, and had the chance to leave with nobody knowing that they were there.  The fact that Ponyboy ran back to the church to help the children shows that Ponyboy isn't focused solely on himself or the members of his gang.  It also shows him taking responsibility for his actions instead of running away from them. 

"I'll get them, don't worry!" I started at a dead run for the church, and the man caught my arm. "I'll get them. You kids stay out!" I jerked loose and ran on. All I could think was: We started it. We started it. We started it!"

A second event is at the hospital after the church fire.  Johnny is hurt and in the hospital.  Darry shows up at the hospital and expresses deep relief that Johnny and Pony are both alive.  Previously Ponyboy thought that Darry didn't care for him that much.  But the hospital scene showed Ponyboy that he had been wrong about his older brother. 

In that second what Soda and Dally and Two-Bit had been trying to tell me came through. Darry did care about me, maybe as much as he cared about Soda, and because he cared he was trying too hard to make something of me.

The third event is from chapter 2.  Ponyboy had just finished telling Cherry about what happened to Johnny to make him so nervous all of the time.  Cherry responded to the story by telling Ponyboy that not all Socs are evil jerks.  Ponyboy isn't so sure, but then Cherry says this line: 

I'll tell you something, Ponyboy, and it may come as a surprise. We have troubles you've never even heard of. You want to know something?" She looked me straight in the eye. "Things are rough all over."

And Ponyboy believes her, and the reader believes Ponyboy.  The sequence shows maturity in Ponyboy, because it shows that he can be empathetic to someone outside of his Greaser gang. 

In what way has Ponyboy matured in The Outsiders?

Ponyboy's crush on Cherry shows he is not only self-absorbed, but that is he is still very self-aware about his social position and his separation from the Socs. But eventually he comes to to see that he can be friends with Cherry, regardless of whether she shares his romantic feelings for her. When he asks her whether she can see the stars at night from her side of town, and reminds her that his side of town can see the same thing, this is a sign of maturity and perspective, showing he knows Cherry is another human being engaged in her own struggles and journey towards adulthood, as he is.

We see Ponyboy maturing over the course of the novel. How has he matured?

One of the major ways in which Ponyboy has matured in the course of Hinton's work is through reaffirming his own values and sense of self.  Throughout a period of challenging social values in which the conflict between the Socs and Greasers combined with the adolescent questioning of one's identity might have resulted in one's doubting of self, Ponyboy develops the internal strength to remain true to his sense of self.  While he has found a way to stand up for his own beliefs and remain loyal to the group, it has not resulted in his abandoning of his identity.  He still will be the one to clean up the glass pieces "so that no one gets hurt."  This might be the ultimate statement of maturation, in that while things might change, an individual's sense of character and dignity should remain intact.

We see Ponyboy maturing over the course of the novel. How has he matured?

Towards the end of the novel, Ponyboy is able to see his unrequited crush on Cherry as a more mature relationship, less an unattainable romance and more of a friendship. She expresses frustration when he accuses her of showing him charity, as if she feels guilty for his lesser economic circumstances. But he then asks her if she can see the sunset from her wide of town. She replies she can, and they he tells her he can see it just the same from where he lives, using the moment to show a level of maturity in appreciating that their differences of class and upbringing are really inconsequential in the greater scheme of things.

We see Ponyboy maturing over the course of the novel. How has he matured?

Ponyboy is really the central character in this novel and intended to be the primary lens through which the reader "sees" the story. He matures on many levels during the course of the novel even though not much actual time passes. He is petulant and jealous that Cherry does not think of him romantically and is instead interested in Dally Winston. But eventually he understands that the two of them have things in common and can be friends to one another. Ponyboy also is able to understand that Johnny's death is a major event and epiphany in his own life. Even though Johnny commits murder in self-defense, he shows his courage and compassion in helping rescue the children from the burning school. His injuries cause his death and his dying words to Ponyboy, "Stay gold" show his depth of feeling and wisdom. Ponyboy takes this message to heart and decides to tell the story of his youth (ostensibly the conceit of the novel's setting).

How does Ponyboy's character evolve in The Outsiders?

For the first part of The Outsiders, Ponyboy Curtis is a smart, tough kid who hangs around with the Greasers and gets into conflicts with his brothers, but in the middle of the story, Ponyboy realizes that perhaps his life is not quite as difficult as he thinks. Let's look at what happens.

Tragedy strikes when Ponyboy is attacked by members of the rival gang, the Socs. They hold his head under a fountain and try to drown him. His friend, Johnny, comes to his rescue, and when Ponyboy regains consciousness, he realizes that Johnny has stabbed one of the Socs to death. The only thing the two boys can think of doing is to flee. They go to Dally, who gives them supplies and tells them to go into the country to an abandoned church.

As Johnny and Ponyboy are trying to find the church, Ponyboy goes to ask directions from a farmer, pretending to be a local kid just playing. As he walks along, he realizes some important truths. He has discovered that there are worse things in life than being a Greaser, having conflicts with his brothers, or even coming from a poor neighborhood. Ponyboy is now facing life on the run with Johnny or the reformatory if they get caught. He thinks about Johnny perhaps going to the electric chair. He reflects on never going home again, and all of a sudden, home looks pretty good to him. Ponyboy is gaining some important perspective about his life.

With close reference to the book, explain whether Ponyboy has changed by the end of The Outsiders.

Ponyboy experienced a great deal of loss during the chapters of The Outsiders. His parents died in a tragic accident, and he didn't get along with his older brother, Darry, who was the head of the parentless household. He already had to be wary about being jumped by Socs, and when he was nearly drowned in the park fountain, he and Johnny had to hide out after his friend killed his attacker. He learned about living on his own during his time at the church, and when he found the church burning--because of his smoldering cigarette--and the children inside, his sense of honor forced him to risk his live to save them.

He lost two of his best friends when Johnny and Dally died on the same day, and he still faced the possibility of being taken by the courts from his family. But Pony found that he had made a few friends he hadn't expected: Cherry, the Soc cheerleader, and Randy, the dead Soc's best friend. When they supported his testimony in the death of Bob Sheldon, Pony found himself free to rejoin his brothers permanently. Although he floundered in school for a while, he also found a new friend in his English teacher, who gave him extra time to complete his final essay, which proved to be the story of The Outsiders. Although he had been beaten, had two friends killed, and had nearly been removed from his family, Pony realized that his slate was clean and things could hardly ever be as bad as they had been before.

(Pony would reappear again in the later S. E. Hinton novel, That Was Then, This Is Now).

How does Ponyboy feel about being a greaser in The Outsiders?

We're almost as close as brothers; when you grow up in a tight-knit neighborhood like ours you get to know each other real well (Hinton, 4).

That was the difference between [Tim Shepard's] gang and ours—they had a leader and were organized; we were just buddies who stuck together—each man was his own leader (Hinton, 118).

What kind of world is it where all I have to be proud of is a reputation for being a hood, and greasy hair? I don't want to be a hood, but even if I don't steal things and mug people and get boozed up, I'm marked lousy. Why should I be proud of it? Why should I even pretend to be proud of it? (Hinton, 113).

How does Ponyboy feel about being a greaser in The Outsiders?

Pony is proud of being a greaser but dislikes the violence.

Ponyboy goes to great lengths to describe what a "greaser" is, and the benefits of that life.  He also points out the drawbacks.  Greasers are defined by their neighborhood and socioeconomic status.  In other words, you are a greaser because you are born into being a greaser.  You are poor and live in a certain neighborhood.  You do not really choose to be a greaser.

Greasers wear their hair a certain way and dress a certain way.

My hair is longer than a lot of boys wear theirs, squared off in back and long at the front and sides, but I am a greaser and most of my neighborhood rarely bothers to get a haircut. (Ch. 1)

Long hair is one of the hallmarks of a greaser.  They also “grease” it with hair grease.  This is where the name comes from.  You have to remember the time period!  The Outsiders was published in 1967, and such things were popular back then!

Greasers live on the East Side, unlike the Socs, their upper class (rich) enemies of the West Side.  Greasers wear jeans, leather jackets, and t-shirts and Socs wear madras (plaid) shirts, collared shirts, and sweaters. 

Pony is often careful when describing the greasers to make a distinction between what greasers do and what he does.

Greasers are almost like hoods; we steal things and drive old souped-up cars and hold up gas stations and have a gang fight once in a while. I don't mean I do things like that. (Ch. 1)

This distinction shows that while Pony is a greaser, he is not completely dedicated to the life.  He is not comfortable with it or committed to it.  He has some shame associated with being a greaser.

Pony is more sensitive than your average greaser.  He likes movies and books, and is in honors classes at school.  While he identifies with the greasers, they also consider him something apart.  He was born a greaser, but is something softer too.  He is not a fighter. 

One of the biggest benefits to Pony of being a greaser is safety in numbers.  The Socs will target him, so he needs protection. 

When you're a gang, you stick up for the members. If you don't stick up for them, stick together, make like brothers, it isn't a gang any more. It's a pack. (Ch. 2)

Pony does not like the constant fighting between the greasers and the Socs.  When Johnny is hurt after the church fire, he likes it even less.  He considers getting out of the life.  Johnny advises him to, telling him to “stay gold.”  He even meets a Soc before the big rumble, Randy, who tells him he is through with the violence and will not be participating.  Pony ponders the fact that both greasers and Socs are “just guys” (Ch. 7).

To avoid getting into more trouble with the law, and to make a future for himself, Pony abandons gang life and decides to commit fully to education.  His gang members and family fully support him.  They know that street life is not for him.  In his heart he is a greaser in that the greasers are his family, but he has a future beyond the greasers too.

This is a story about class, identity, and coming of age.  As Ponyboy navigates the rough streets of his hometown and the politics of street gangs, he has to come to terms with the fact that becoming who he is may mean leaving behind his family, friends, and all he has ever known.

How does Ponyboy feel about being a greaser in The Outsiders?

Ponyboy hates the fact that society judges him as a bad person simply because he dresses like and hangs out with Greasers. In Chapter 1, Pony mentions that he felt like Pip from the novel Great Expectations because of the way he was marked lousy because he wasn't a gentleman. Ponyboy understands that it isn't his fault that he was raised in a lower-class home and suffered traumatic experiences. Initially, Ponyboy embraces his Greaser image out of spite for society. Later on in the novel, the boys are preparing to fight the Socs in a big rumble. Ponyboy's friends put excessive amounts of grease in their hair, and Ponyboy mentions that the Greasers had their reputations to uphold. Ponyboy then comments,

"I don't want to be a hood, but even if I don't steal things and mug people and get boozed up, I'm marked lousy. Why should I be proud of it? Why should I even pretend to be proud of it?" (Hinton 113).

Ponyboy essentially feels helpless in his situation. He knows that regardless of his character, society will unfairly judge him. Ponyboy is not proud of being a Greaser and simply goes along with it because he feels that he cannot change society's perception of him. 

What quotes describe Ponyboy's traits in The Outsiders?

Ponyboy is an insightful individual. While he is having a conversation with Cherry, he begins to analyze how the Socs act and behave. He realizes that the Socs are insincere and superficial. Ponyboy understands that there is much more that separates them than pecuniary differences. After Cherry explains to him the issues with her social group, Pony says,

"That was the truth. Socs were always behind a wall of aloofness, careful not to let their real selves show through. I had seen a social-club rumble once. The Socs even fought coldly and practically and impersonally" (Hinton 34).

Ponyboy is also imaginative and is continually daydreaming. Pony wishes to escape his current environment and often thinks of peaceful places he would rather be. While he is lying on his back next to Johnny looking at stars, Pony says,

"I wanted to be out of towns and away from excitement. I only wanted to lie on my back under a tree and read a book or draw a picture, and not worry about being jumped or carrying a blade or ending up married to some scatterbrained broad with no sense. The country would be like that, I thought dreamily" (Hinton 42).

Ponyboy is an empathetic individual who is concerned about the well-being of others. He not only risks his life to save the children in the burning building but decides to write The Outsiders as a way to help other troubled youths in similar situations. At the end of the novel, Ponyboy decides to begin writing the story and says,

"It was too vast a problem to be just a personal thing. There should be some help, someone should tell them before it was too late. Someone should tell their side of the story, and maybe people would understand then and wouldn't be so quick to judge a boy by the amount of hair oil he wore. It was important to me. I picked up the phone book and called my English teacher" (Hinton 152).

What quotes describe Ponyboy's traits in The Outsiders?

The narrator of The Outsiders, Ponyboy Curtis is an introspective teenager, still dealing with the death of his parents in a car crash. The most intelligent boy among his gang of greasers, Pony excels at school, where he is also a member of the track team. A sensitive boy who enjoys being alone when he can, Ponyboy loves to read and he has a talent for writing; he also "digs" sunsets and watching Paul Newman movies. He smokes too many cigarettes, according to older brother Darry, and he often makes decisions that show a lack of common sense. His brothers and greaser friends alike see a bright future for Ponyboy, and there is hope that he will be able to attend college after high school. But they also worry that Ponyboy will eventually grow "tough" on the streets as many of the other greasers--particularly Dallas Winston--have. As Two-Bit Mathews tells him,

"... don't get tough, Ponyboy. You're not like the rest of us and don't try to be..."

When Pony and Johnny come to the rescue of the children in the burning church, they are acclaimed as heroes. But Pony doesn't think so. When Jerry, who was supervising the picnic at the church, asks if

"... you were sent from heaven. Or are you just professional heroes or something?"

Pony simply responds that "we're greasers."

Johnny's dying words to Pony are "stay gold," referring to the Robert Frost poem which the two boys had discussed. Pony's life seems to be crumbling after the deaths of Johnny and Dallas, but when his teacher gives him a second chance to complete his English essay, Pony decides to tell his side of the story--which becomes the basis for The Outsiders.

What quotes describe Ponyboy's traits in The Outsiders?

“…sometime I just don’t use my head. It drives my brother Darry nuts when I do stuff like that, ‘cause I’m supposed to be smart; I make good grades and have a high IQ and everything, but I don’t use my head.”

This shows Ponyboy is book smart, but he lacks the common sense to survive on the mean streets.  This shortage of street smarts and awareness of his environment gets him in a lot of trouble.

“I kept saving my money for a year, thinking that someday I could buy Mickey Mouse back for Soda.  You’re not so smart at ten.”

Though naïve, Ponyboy is a caring and generous teenager.  There is nobody in the world he loves more than his brother Soda.

“Why do I fight?  I thought, and couldn’t think of any real good reason.  There isn’t any real good reason for fighting except self-defense.”

Ponyboy is different than the rest of his gang.  He is a non violent kid who would prefer to stay away from fighting, while the rest thrive off the adrenaline they get from fighting or need it to let their anger out.

What quotes describe Ponyboy's traits in The Outsiders?

Oh I MUST add a very important quote by both Ponyboy and Robert Frost here!  In my opinion, Ponyboy reciting "Nothing Gold Can Stay" to Johnny and, of course, discussing the poem with Cherry Valence, shows Ponyboy to also be a sensitive, thoughtful, intelligent, and introspective young man.

Let's look at the poem Ponyboy recites and how it shows the above qualities:

Nature's first green is gold
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

Probably one of Robert Frost's most famous (and most memorized poems), Ponyboy recites this to Johnny as they share their thoughts while running from the law.  Sunset and sunrise are such brief times of day.  Brief, but beautiful.  Ponyboy proves himself THOUGHTFUL as he reflects on this brief beauty in nature.  The fact that this exact beauty and thought remain with him for a lifetime (and that he would share them with a special girl) prove him SENSITIVE.  The fact that Ponyboy can simply memorize this poem and recite it again and again, with emphasis (and analysis!), proves him INTELLIGENT.  And, finally, the fact that he can compare the gold of a sunrise or sunset to his own life, and even the lives of his buddies such as Johnny and Dally, prove him to be INTROSPECTIVE. 

As Johnny is dying, these are the reasons why he tells Ponyboy to "stay gold."  It is a beautiful sentiment from one friend to another unifying them in character, especially in regards to the traits mentioned above.

How is PonyBoy portrayed as an outsider in The Outsiders?

The ironic aspect of the protagonist Ponyboy is that he is an outsider within a group of outsiders. Ponyboy is a member of the Greasers, one of the two gangs in the novel. The Greasers are marked by their rough appearance and low economic standing as opposed to the comparatively posh Socs. The Greasers are often looked down upon by refined society.

Most of the Greasers are proud of their lifestyle, but Ponyboy doesn't want to be proud of people looking down on him. Compared to his fellow gang members, Ponyboy is introverted, intelligent, well-read, and academically accomplished. His uncommon intellectual pursuits, as well as his disdain for being considered a "hood," make him not only an outsider in society but in his gang as well.

What quotes describe Ponyboy's traits in The Outsiders?

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is a story with many unforgettable characters. The story is about two rival gangs called the Greasers and the Socs. The Outsiders is told from the point of view of Ponyboy Curtis, a member of the Greasers.

Ponyboy Curtis has two brothers who are also members of the Greasers, Sodapop "Soda" Curtis and Darryl "Darry" Curtis. Ponyboy is the youngest of the Curtis brothers at 14 years old and also gets good grades and is athletic. Soda is unlike his younger brother in that he is a high school dropout who works at a gas station. He is 16 years old. Darry Curtis is the oldest of the Curtis brothers at 20. Darry is considered the "leader" of the Greasers and has been taking care of his brothers since their parents died in a car accident.

Darry has many character traits. He is masculine, hard-working, caring, and angry.

Throughout the novel, Ponyboy talks about Darry's masculinity. He calls him "movie-star gorgeous" and comments on his muscles frequently. His nickname is also "Superman" which signals how impressed the other members of the gang are by him. In high school, Darry was very popular and athletic, something that Ponyboy admires. Darry's masculinity is defined by Ponyboy's thoughts and comments and are mostly about his looks and his strength.

Darry is also hard-working. He is considered the parent of his younger brothers and other members of the gang. Rather than going to college, Darry stays at home so that he can care for his siblings. He works two jobs and sacrifices frequently so that his brothers can have the life he had to give up.

Although at times, Ponyboy disagrees, Darry is also very caring and considerate. When Ponyboy considers dropping out of school, Darry tells him that this is unacceptable. He tells Ponyboy that going to college is his only way out of their town and to find other opportunities. Darry must care for his brothers as well as other members of the Greasers while maintaining his two jobs and many other responsibilities that come along with running a household.

Because of all of these responsibilities, Darry is sometimes angry. He feels pressure all around him and is really just a kid himself. At only 20, he is in charge of two teen boys, has two jobs, and must manage everything that parents normally manage. Darry is a stressed out time bomb waiting to explode. His anger is expressed when he yells at Ponyboy, slaps him, and knocks him into a wall. Darry feels very guilty about this incident because he does love his brother and is simply frustrated and weighed down with the stress of adulthood.

Darry is only one of the interesting and complex characters in The Outsiders.

How is PonyBoy portrayed as an outsider in The Outsiders?

Ponyboy is an outsider because he does not conform to society's standards and is discriminated against because of his rough appearance and affiliation with the Greasers. Pony is a member of the lower class and feels like an outsider in the presence of his wealthy peers, who view him with contempt and fear. Pony also feels like an outsider in his social group because he does not enjoy being a criminal or breaking laws. Unlike his close friends, Ponyboy does not take pride in his reputation as a dangerous hood and is a sympathetic, intelligent adolescent. Ponyboy reveals his complex feelings regarding his reputation as a Greaser before the rumble by thinking,

"What kind of world is it where all I have to be proud of is a reputation for being a hood, and greasy hair? I don't want to be a hood, but even if I don't steal things and mug people and get boozed up, I'm marked lousy. Why should I be proud of it? Why should I even pretend to be proud of it?" (Hinton, 113).

Pony's comments illustrate that he is not only an outsider in society but also an outsider in his own social group. Ponyboy is stuck somewhere in the middle of being a Greaser and a typical member of society. While he appears to be a tough, intimidating Greaser, Pony is actually an intelligent, compassionate individual, who could be a responsible, productive member of society.

Why is Ponyboy interesting in The Outsiders?

Ponyboy is interesting to different readers for different reasons. I think one reason that he is interesting stems from the fact that the story is told from his perspective. Any time that a first person narration is used, a reader almost can't help but be interested in this person through whom we are seeing the world. Pair that with the fact that Ponyboy is a Greaser. That's where Pony really starts to get interesting because he's so different from what a typical reader is used to experiencing. While gangs can be quite large, they are definitely not the majority of a given population; therefore, most people reading this book likely are not gang members. Ponyboy gives a glimpse into this completely foreign world and that is interesting, in and of itself. Then we come to find out that Ponyboy is definitely not a stereotypical dumb gang member just looking for another fight. He's smart and capable of great empathy toward his fellow Greasers, as well as the "enemy" Socs. In a nutshell, Ponyboy is interesting because he is a round and dynamic character.

What is Ponyboy's physical appearance in The Outsiders?

In the first paragraph of the novel, Ponyboy provides the reader with a description of his appearance. After stepping out of the movie theater, Pony mentions that he wishes he looked like Paul Newman. Pony then tells the reader that he has light brown "almost red" hair and greenish-gray eyes.

Pony also mentions that he has long hair, which is squared off in the back and kept long towards the front and sides of his head. Pony is initially proud of his long hair because it identifies him as a Greaser and makes him look tough. Later on in the novel, Pony expresses his displeasure at having to dye his hair blonde while hiding out in the abandoned church on Jay Mountain.

Pony is an attractive boy, but is not as good-looking as his older brother Sodapop. Ponyboy also describes himself as having a "pretty good build" for his size and is one of the smaller members of the Greaser gang. Ponyboy is also relatively fit and thin, unlike his muscular older brother Darry. Following his experience hiding out in Windrixville, Pony mentions that he lost a lot of weight and laments at the fact that his shirt no longer fits him tight.

How does Ponyboy's personality change from the start to the end of "The Outsiders"?

At the beginning of the novel, Ponyboy is a relatively naive teenager with a narrow perspective on life. He fails to realize that Darry cares about him and does not fully comprehend the complex personalities of each member of the Greasers. Ponyboy is also impulsive and makes rash decisions, which negatively affect his life. Ponyboy also fails to consider that the Soc members experience different kinds of difficulties in their lives.

As the novel progresses, Ponyboy develops his perspective through his interactions and experiences. After having an enlightening conversation with Cherry Valance, Ponyboy learns that Socs struggle with keeping up with each other in a "rat race" and can feel isolated because of their friends' aloof attitudes. While Ponyboy is hiding out in the abandoned church, he becomes close with Johnny and begins viewing Dally from a different perspective. Ponyboy learns that Dally is somewhat "gallant" and comes to terms with his complex feelings towards Dally. Following the church fire, Ponyboy learns that Darry does care about him and that Darry's strict attitude is actually his way of expressing his concerns.

By the end of the novel, Ponyboy comes to terms with the deaths of his friends and decides to write a novel to portray the difficult lives of struggling youths all over America. Ponyboy's increased perspective allows him to fully comprehend the lives of various gang members and sympathize with every teenager experiencing difficulties. Ponyboy goes from being a naive, impulsive teenager, to a insightful, sympathetic, and appreciative young man.  

Why is Ponyboy an outsider?

Ponyboy is considered an outcast throughout society because he occupies a lower social class and is a member of the delinquent gang, the Greasers. Pony's status as a Greaser makes him seem like a juvenile criminal who is only interested in terrorizing the neighborhood and fighting Socs. The Greasers are viewed with contempt throughout their community and have a bad reputation as ignorant teenagers who enjoy breaking the law. However, Ponyboy is not like the other members of the Greaser gang. He is a sensitive, intelligent, quiet individual who does not enjoy harming others. Pony's unique personality and young age also make him an outcast in the Greaser gang. Unlike the other members of his gang, Ponyboy has personal conversations with Soc members and begins to understand their perspective on life. Pony's negative reputation throughout society and his unique personality amongst his group are the reasons he is considered an outcast throughout the novel.

What quotes describe Ponyboy's traits in The Outsiders?

Hard-working: Darry was forced to make several significant sacrifices in order to keep his family together after the death of his parents. Darry did not accept an athletic scholarship to go to college, and instead decided to work two jobs to pay the bills. In Chapter 3, Ponyboys says,

"Sodapop... a dropout so he could get a job and keep me in school, and Darry, getting old before his time trying to run a family and hold on to two jobs and never having any fun---" (Hinton 38).

Serious: Darry is a rather serious individual who doesn't joke around much. Ponyboy initially views his older brother with contempt whenever he compares Darry to his happy-go-lucky brother, Sodapop. Darry has experienced several tragic events throughout his life and has a lot of responsibility. In Chapter 1, Ponyboy talks about his brothers, and says,

"Like he's never hollering at me all the time the way Darry is, or treating me as if I was six instead of fourteen. I love Soda more than I've ever loved anyone, even Mom and Dad. He's always happy-go-lucky and grinning, while Darry's hard and firm and rarely grins at all" (Hinton 3).

Masculine: Darry is the biggest and strongest member of the Greasers. There are several scenes in which Ponyboy comments on Darry's huge muscles and physique. In Chapter 7, Ponyboy says,

"We all call Darry "Superman" or "Muscles" at one time or another; but one time Steve made the mistake of referring to him as "all brawn and no brain," and Darry almost shattered Steve's jaw. Steve didn't call him that again, but Darry never forgave him" (Hinton 92).

Concerned: Darry is a concerned brother who is always looking out for Ponyboy. Sometimes, Darry can come off as overbearing, but he is always pushing Ponyboy to excel at school. In Chapter 12, Darry tells Ponyboy,

"You're not going to drop out. Listen, with your brains and grades you could get a scholarship, and we could put you through college. But schoolwork's not the point. You're living in a vacuum, Pony, and you're going to have to cut it out" (Hinton 148).

What quotes describe Ponyboy's traits in The Outsiders?

Darry acts like a father to his two younger brothers, because their parents have died. He's a bit rough with them, saying things like, "You're both nuts," because he's still young himself, only 20 years old, but he uses parenting language when necessary: "Yeah, since it ain't a school night" (pg 13) is almost like something a parent would say, except that Darry uses slang, "ain't" instead of "isn't," showing that he's actually a young guy trying to be parental.

On page 44, Darry shows again that he really cares about his brothers:

I reckon it never occurred to you that your brothers might be worrying their heads off and afraid to call the police because something like that could get you two thrown in a boys' home so quick it'd make your head spin. And you were asleep in the lot? Ponyboy, what on earth is the matter with you? Can't you use your head? You haven't even got a coat on.

Although Darry's angry and shouting at Ponyboy, it's obvious that he cares deeply about his brother and feels responsible for him, by phrases like, "brothers...worrying their heads off," and "You haven’t even got a coat on." He cares enough about Ponyboy to notice things like whether he's dressed properly.

Darry works hard to look after his brothers, but he doesn't resent it and woudln't want them to be removed from his care ("thrown in a boys' home"). Ponyboy realizes this on page 84, when Darry says to him, "Oh, Pony, I thought we'd lost you... like we did Mom and Dad..." This was the first time Ponyboy saw Darry cry. He hadn't even cried at their parents' funeral. For the first half of the novel, Ponyboy is scared of Darry and thinks Darry hates him, but he discovers Darry really does care about him at this moment.

The course of events in the novel cause Ponyboy and Darry to become closer and closer. On page 142, Darry says, "Maybe you can be a little neater, huh, little buddy?" He has always called Sodapop 'little buddy,' but this is the first time he calls Ponyboy 'little buddy.' It shows that Darry feels closer to his youngest brother, Ponyboy, as they have a few close calls through the events of the novel.

Darry keeps his feelings for Ponyboy hidden most of the time, but near the end of the novel, Darry shows that he respects Ponyboy. He tells Ponyboy to stay in school because he is intelligent: "You're not going to drop out. Listen, with your brains and grades you could get a scholarship, and we could put you through college." (pg 148) Then again when he tells Ponyboy to catch Sodapop, knowing that even out of shape, Ponyboy is the fastest runner: "Circle around and cut him off." (pg 149) Finally, Darry shows that he's very insightful for his age, and has empathy for the other boys when he talks about Sodapop's failed relationship with Sandy: "He told me he loved her, but I guess she didn't love him like he thought she did..." (pg 148)

Darry is a pretty complex character. A young orphan raising his two little brothers, he seems at the beginning of the novel to be an angry, scary guy, but he shows by the end of the novel that he's empathetic and loves his little brothers deeply.

What can be inferred about Ponyboy's character in The Outsiders?

Ponyboy Curtis is the main focus and narrator of the book The Outsiders. He is the youngest of the three Curtis brothers, and also the youngest of the greaser gang. Very early in the novel Ponyboy describes himself by saying, "I make good grades and have a high IQ and everything, but I don't use my head" (Hinton 4). This tells the reader that while Ponyboy may lack common sense in some situations, he is very intelligent, something not common to the other greasers.

At the beginning of chapter 3, Ponyboy shares the story of his brother, Sodapop, losing his horse, Mickey Mouse, with a Soc girl he meets at the movies, Cherry Valance. During this dialogue, Cherry also shares her secrets about disliking Soc society, and says to Ponyboy, "You're the first person I've ever really gotten through to" (Hinton 38). Later, the pair discuss how they both like viewing the sunset from their respective sides of town. From this interaction, the reader can infer that Ponyboy is both sensitive and understanding, traits which he sometimes tries to hide from society. Later in the chapter, we also see Ponyboy has a dreamy side when he's hanging out in the lot with Johnny. While lying there, he talks about his ideal life in the country, which in Johnny's words has "just people. Plain ordinary people" (Hinton 48). In this vision, Sodapop gets Micky Mouse, his horse, back; Darry, his oldest brother, loses his hard edge so he can "be like he used to" (Hinton 48); and the boys' parents are alive again.

From all of this, the reader can infer that Ponyboy is sensitive and dreamy, while aspiring to be more than simply a greaser and hood his entire life.

What is Ponyboy's physical appearance in The Outsiders?

In the opening chapter, Ponyboy wishes that he resembled Paul Newman who has a tough look unlike himself. His hair is almost red in color and his eyes are greenish-grey although he wishes they were greyer because it so happens that most of the guys he dislikes have green eyes. He has longer hair than most boys that flows way beyond his chin’s length and which is kept long at the sides and front while the back is squared off. Based on his description, he is good looking but not as good looking as his brother Sodapop whom he says he has never encountered anyone more handsome. His body is smaller than a fourteen year olds body although he has a good build for his age.

How is PonyBoy portrayed as an outsider in The Outsiders?

Ponyboy does feel like an outsider, particularly at school where his athletic ability and sharp intellect place him in classes and activities with many of the Socs.  For example, Ponyboy reflects on feeling like an outsider when he reads about Pip in Great Expectations, and reckons that he knows what Pip feels like because he has had a similar experience at school.  Ponyboy recounts that one time in his biology class, he was partnered with a really nice Soc girl, and he decided to use his switchblade for the dissection because the razor blade was dull.  Ponyboy felt just like an outsider when his lab partner gasped:

"'They are right.  You are a hood.' That didn't make me feel so hot.  There were a lot of Socs in that class--I get put into A classes because I'm supposed to be smart--and most of them thought it was pretty funny" (15). 

Ponyboy's story about his embarrassment in biology class is a very telling example of how he feels like an outsider at school.  His good grades not only set him apart from many of the greasers, but his social status as a greaser also prevents him from being welcomed into the Socs' social circle.

How does Ponyboy's personality change from the start to the end of "The Outsiders"?

At the beginning of the book, Ponyboy is in intelligent, young teen, but he lacks the perspective to understand the environment around him.  He can only see his side of the story and fails to understand why others act the way they do.  The first example of this is his oldest brother Darry.  He thinks Darry hates him because he is always giving Ponyboy a hard time about his lack of common sense, his grades, or any other thing Darry feels is unfit about him.  Therefore, he bears a bitter resentment towards Darry and feels Darry holds the same hostility for him, assuming he is a nuisance that Darry would rather not deal with.

By the end, through many life changing experiences and with the help of friends, Ponyboy is able to see Darry treats him the way he does out of love and conern.  When they reunite at the hospital after the fire, Pony boy sees Darry's concern for him and realizes he loved him this whole time.  He realizes Darry feels resonsible for Ponyboy's well being and wants to avoid at all costs the separation of his already fractured family.  He can also see Darry's other concern is he wants to make sure Ponyboy is safe and that's the reason Darry gets upset with him when he acts irresponsibly in potentially dangerous situations.

At first, Ponyboy's view of the Socs is a stereotypical one.  He placed them all in one category of being spoiled, stuck up, and hateful.  He came to this conclusion from the limited encounters he experienced with the Socs.  However, once Randy got to know some Socs on a more personal level, he found they are more varied and not nearly as one dimensional and he thought.  Cherrry Valance taught him about how some Socs do care about things and others by expressing her concern for Johnny, her interest in him, and her love of the sunsets.  She also explained to him that just because someone is rich, doesn't mean he/she doesn't have problems.  Randy Adderson also showed Ponyboy a more sensitive side of the Socs, when he went from a heartless bully that participated in jumping Ponyboy and Johnny, to a scared and lost boy grieving over his best friend's death and the endless violence stemming from being a Soc.  Randy showed Ponyboy that there is no such thing as Greasers or Socs; they are all just people.

Ponyboy's personality evolved into one that is much more understanding of others, and because of that, he is now able to make friends with people who are different than he is. 

What are some quotes that describe Darry's traits from The Outsiders?

Darry is the hard-working oldest brother of the Curtis family, forced to accept the responsibility as head of the household after his parents are killed in an automobile accident. Darry is forced to put aside his dreams of playing college football to take care of Soda and Pony, and he works two jobs in order to support them. He is particularly hard on Pony, since he sees a bit of himself in his younger brother. He knows that Pony has a chance to succeed in school, go to college, and get out of the dead-end world of the greasers. Darry acts out of love, although Pony rarely understands this. Darry treats Soda differently, partly because he is older, but also because he realizes the happy-go-lucky Soda will not be able to succeed in the way Pony may.

According to Pony, Darry's "hard and firm and rarely grins at all... (he's) grown up too fast." He "works too long and hard to be interested in a story or drawing a picture." When Pony doesn't "use my head... It drives my brother Darry nuts." But there is no doubt that Darry loves and cares about Ponyboy. When Darry and Soda come to the hospital following the fire at the church, Pony saw the

     ... tall, broad-shouldered Darry... his eyes were pleading... Suddenly, I realized that Darry was crying. He didn't make a sound, but tears were running down his cheeks. I hadn't seen him cry in years, not even when Mom and Dad had been killed...
     That was his silent fear then--of losing another person he loved... and I wondered how I could have ever thought him hard and unfeeling. 

How does Ponyboy's personality affect his relationships and life in The Outsiders?

Ponyboy Curtis is a member of the Greasers, who are members of their town's low and middle social classes, as opposed to the Socs, who are members of the upper class and enjoy its privileges.  Ponyboy is the youngest of the three Curtis brothers; Darry is the oldest and Sodapop is the middle child.  His status as the youngest child dictates a great deal of his personality, including his inability to understand Darry's love for him and his immaturity regarding some matters, such as respecting his well-intentioned, but sometimes misdirected, guidance.

In addition, Ponyboy is a self-described "loner" who exhibits a great deal of sensitivity and artistic tendencies.  Despite the often difficult nature of his relationships with his brothers, Ponyboy loves them deeply and idolizes them to some extent.  Ponyboy is highly intelligent, but often fails to think reasonably or realistically.

...sometimes I just don't use my head.  It drives my brother Darry nuts when I do stuff like that, 'cause I'm supposed to be smart; I make good gradesa nd have a high IQ and everything, but I don't use my head.

How does Ponyboy's personality affect his relationships and life in The Outsiders?

I think the best way to summarize Ponyboy's personality is to say that he is very loyal to his friends.  He is quite supportive of them.  We can see this especially in how he deals with Johnny.  He helps him deal with his unhappy home life, for example, and he tolerates Johnny's fears that come from being beaten.

With regard to his life, he is not pleased with how his life is at the moment but he is, especially at the end of the book, hopeful that he will be able to change things and get a better life.  This is symbolized by his writing assignment -- he stops being hopeless and gets started on writing his theme.

What is Ponyboy's physical appearance in The Outsiders?

On the first page of The Outsiders, Ponyboy describes himself as having "light-brown, almost-red hair and greenish-gray eyes."  He does not consider himself good-looking and says that he "rarely bothers to get a haircut," which he considers normal.  He wears his hair "longer than a lot of boys wear theirs, squared off in back and long at the front and sides," which he also considers normal for the group he belongs to.  In addition, Ponyboy had a somewhat small, lean build that was an asset to him as a track runner, but made him an easier target for his enemies than some of the other members of his group.

Why is Ponyboy interesting in The Outsiders?

Part of the reason that Ponyboy Curtis is so interesting is because he straddles the world of diametric opposition and walks the line between them.  In this depiction lies a very human quality in consciousness.  Ponyboy is a greaser and is affiliated with this crew.  At the same time, he enjoys solitary walks, reading, and watching movies.  These activities reside outside of the collective identity of the group.  Ponyboy is involved in the critical elements of the novel that represent action and decisiveness.  At the same time, he reveals himself to be sensitive and very reflective about who he is and what he represents.  The interest in his character revolves around the idea that human beings, and in particular adolescents, can be fraught with contradictions and complexities that do not make them simply "sinners" or "saints," but rather simply human beings who are capable of greatness as well as elements that are far from it.

What quotes describe Ponyboy's traits in The Outsiders?

One trait of Ponyboy Curtis in "The Outsiders" is that he is humble, courageous, and strong. He does not regress or lower himself in order to be popular or successful. He is himself, and this allows him to be special. In one instance, Ponyboy causes some Socs to retreat by brandishing a broken piece of glass at them. While some might see this as an extraordinary act of bravery, especially considering Ponyboy's injuries, he is humble about the act. He says impressively that, "anyone else could have done the same thing." This is one example of why Ponyboy Curtis is an admirable character in the novel.

Why is Ponyboy an outsider?

Ponyboy tells us in the novel "The Outsiders," that he is a member of the gang called "Greasers"  These guys are outsiders because they don't fit in with the group called the Socs.  The Greasers are from broken homes, poor economic situations and little education.  The Socs have the best of everything, which makes them more popular.  As Cherry tells Ponyboy,

"You greasers have a different set of values. You're more emotional. We're sophisticated—cool to the point of not feeling anything ... Rat race is a perfect name for [our life]." This leads Pony to wonder if perhaps it is just natural for the two classes to be separate and unequal—a fact that haunts Johnny's decision to turn himself in. He knows that the courts stereotype all greasers as juvenile delinquents."

Pony is also somewhat of an "outsider" in his own group.  He is younger than most of the other boys.  He is still in school and he is really pretty bright.  This causes a feeling of isolation for Ponyboy sometimes and he really doesn't understand the distance he feels.