Discussion Topic
The impact of Soda's involvement on Darry and Pony's relationship and the outcome of their conversation in The Outsiders
Summary:
Soda's involvement significantly impacts Darry and Pony's relationship by acting as a mediator and helping them understand each other's perspectives. His intervention during their argument leads to a heartfelt conversation where they acknowledge their mutual love and commitment, ultimately strengthening their bond and resolving underlying tensions.
What does Soda do to help Darry and Pony's relationship in chapter 12 of The Outsiders?
In chapter 12, Pony and Darry begin arguing with one other until Sodapop cannot stand it anymore and suddenly runs out of the home. Darry and Ponyboy end up chasing down Sodapop outside, and he laments about their constant bickering and fighting. Sodapop explains to his brothers that he is tired of being the mediator between them and says that he cannot take much more of their fighting. Sodapop tells Ponyboy that he needs to be more appreciative of Darry's sacrifices and efforts to provide for them. He also tells Darry that he needs to exercise more sympathy and not be so hard on Ponyboy. Ponyboy never considered how his negative relationship with Darry affected Sodapop, and both brothers agree to fight less and appreciate one another more. Overall, Sodapop helps Darry and Ponyboy's relationship by putting their actions and behaviors into perspective and challenging them to fight less...
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and understand each other more.
After dinner Pony and Darry get into a fight. Soda runs out of the house because he is very upset. Accidentally, a letter falls out of his things. It looks like a letter to a girlfriend. Darry relates the story of Soda and his girlfriend to Pony. He says that Soda was not the father her baby but he would have married her anyway. Pony feels guilt for not having paid attention to Soda when he wanted to talk. Darry and Pony run after Soda. This is when Soda tells them that he feels uncomfortable always being caught in between their fighting.They agree not to fight anymore.
The fact is: Soda did this to bring the two boys together.
What is the result of the conversation between Pony, Darry, and Soda in The Outsiders?
In chapter 12, Darry and Ponyboy get into another heated argument over homework, and Sodapop says that he cannot take it any longer. Sodapop ends up sprinting out of the home, and his brothers immediately follow him. After Darry and Pony catch up to Sodapop, he begins to lament about their constant fighting. Sodapop proceeds to tell his brothers that he feels like he is the middleman and they are playing a game of tug-o-war. Pony understands for the first time that he and Darry are pulling Sodapop in two different directions, and Soda says that it is impossible for him to take sides. Soda then tells Darry that he is too hard on Pony and yells too much at him, while Pony is not grateful enough for Darry's sacrifices.
Sodapop also encourages Pony to take school seriously and tells his brothers that all they have left is each other. His eyes then fill with tears as he begs Darry and Pony to stop fighting. Pony finally acknowledges Darry's sacrifices and promises to stop fighting with Darry. Darry also promises to remain civil with Pony and not be so hard on him. Pony then says,
We couldn't do anything to hurt Soda. Sodapop would always be the middleman, but that didn't mean he had to keep getting pulled apart. Instead of Darry and me pulling me apart, he'd be pulling us together.
Overall, the Curtis brothers become closer and more understanding of each other after their conversation with Sodapop and promise to stop fighting on a regular basis.