Discussion Topic

The morality and legality of Johnny's actions against Bob in The Outsiders

Summary:

Johnny's actions against Bob in The Outsiders can be seen as morally complex and legally problematic. Morally, Johnny acted out of self-defense and to protect Ponyboy from further harm. Legally, however, his actions constitute manslaughter, as he killed Bob during the altercation. The justification of self-defense might mitigate the severity, but the act remains illegal.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

Were Johnny's actions against Bob in The Outsiders justified? Should he be punished?

One could argue that Johnny Cade's actions were justified when he stabbed and killed Bob Sheldon in the local park. Johnny was acting in self-defense and was desperately trying to save Pony's life. Bob Sheldon and his fellow Soc gang members were holding Pony's head underwater in the park's fountain. Johnny feared for his friend's life and stabbed Bob Sheldon in order to save Pony from drowning.

Although Johnny acted in self-defense, he would legally be guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Johnny's actions were not premeditated, and he did not intentionally try to kill Bob Sheldon, which is why he would be guilty of manslaughter.

After skipping town and hiding out in an abandoned church, Johnny finally decides to turn himself in because he believes that he will be let off easy. Johnny does not have a criminal record, was acting in self-defense, and has Pony and Cherry to testify...

Unlock
This Answer Now

Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.

Get 48 Hours Free Access

on his behalf.

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

Should Johnny in The Outsiders be considered a criminal for what he did to Bob Sheldon, despite his actions during the fire?

Whether Johnny Cade is a criminal depends on how one views and interprets his actions. One might argue that Johnny isn’t a criminal because he was acting out of self-defense. In the United States, states have various laws that allow people to defend themselves if they feel they are in danger. In real life, these laws tend to be controversial as they relate to guns and America’s lethal history of racism. In the context of S. E. Hinton’s novel, there’s an argument to be made that Johnny had a right to defend his friend. If Bob Sheldon didn’t want to die, he and his friends shouldn’t have made it seem like they were drowning Ponyboy. Here, the blame is on Bob and the Socs. Hypothetically, Johnny could claim self-defense and avoid criminal charges and jail time.

Johnny’s rescue of the children from the burning church might be used as further proof of his good character. It arguably demonstrates that he’s not some cold criminal but a caring, possibly heroic person who has sacrificed himself for others. However, letting Johnny off the hook solely because of the children might set a dangerous precedent since it suggests that a good deed offsets a bad deed when that might not always be the case.

References

Approved by eNotes Editorial