Discussion Topic
The motivations and feelings of characters in The Outsiders regarding fighting
Summary:
In The Outsiders, characters have varied motivations and feelings about fighting. While some, like Ponyboy, see it as unnecessary and harmful, others, like Dally, view it as a way to assert dominance and survive in their harsh environment. For many, fighting is a means of gaining respect and maintaining loyalty within their group, despite the personal costs.
In The Outsiders, what are Ponyboy's feelings about fighting?
In The Outsiders, Ponyboy is not naturally inclined to fight. This sets him apart from many of the other greasers in his crowd. Dally, for instances, has a tendency to be aggressive and sometimes even violent. He grew up seeing a lot of fights and knows how to protect himself, and he can be dangerous at times.
However, Ponyboy is different from his friends. He excels at school, is bright, and enjoys reading. He is sensitive. When he and Johnny are hiding in the church and he explains the Robert Frost poem to Johnny, the readers sees the sensitive side of both boys.
They share the sense of wistfulness about the poem and its message that “nothing gold can stay.” Nothing that is perfect and beautiful can stay that way forever.
There are a couple of scenes in the book where Ponyboy is attacked by the Socs. In one...
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scene, he is by himself and his brothers find him. He is shaken up from the incident. In the other scene, he is with Johnny, who saves him when one of the Socs tries to drown him. It is clear from both these episodes that Ponyboy is not a natural fighter.
We also see that Ponyboy is different from the others and does not enjoy fighting by some of the things he says or that people say to him. For instance, Cherry asks Ponyboy why he hangs around with the other greasers, because he seems so different from them, particularly from the aggressive Dallas. Moreover, in describing Soda and Steve, Ponyboy says,
I can understand why Sodapop and Steve get into drag races and fights so much, though—both of them have too much energy, too much feeling, with no way to blow it off.
In chapter 9, Ponyboy begins asking his brothers why they enjoy fighting, and Sodapop tells him that he likes the action. Sodapop proceeds to tell Pony that he views fighting as a contest and enjoys the competition. When Ponyboy asks Darry what he likes about fighting, Sodapop intervenes by saying that Darry enjoys showing off his muscles during fights. After Ponyboy contemplates his brothers' answers, he mentions,
"I felt out of things. I'll fight anyone anytime, but I don't like to" (Hinton, 114).
Ponyboy is a sensitive, intelligent boy who does not enjoy fighting. He realizes that fighting solves nothing but proceeds to participate in the rumble because his fellow gang members need him. Even though Ponyboy does not like fighting, he is not afraid of physical altercations and is a decent fighter. Later on, Ponyboy participates in the rumble and suffers a concussion after he is violently kicked in the head. Despite his injury, Ponyboy and the Greasers defeat the Socs.
In The Outsiders, why does Ponyboy fight in the rumble despite disliking fights?
It is important to Ponyboy that he participate in the rumble, even though he does not like to fight, because he wants to show solidarity with his friends and also because he is fed up. He realizes that his friends need him at the rumble. Even if the rumble does not change anything in their social interaction with the Socs, Ponyboy needs to show up for his friends and not leave them even shorter on manpower than they would be without him.
It is an unwritten rule among them that they stick together. Two-bit and Johnny even explain this to Cherry and Marcia at the movies. When Dally approaches the group at the movies, he mouths off to the two girls. Johnny tells him to leave the girls alone, but then tells the girls that Dally is not as bad as he seems. Moreover, Johnny says, greasers stick together:
You take up for your buddies, no matter what they do. When you're a gang, you stick up for the members.
Two-bit says something similar,
Us greasers usually stick together...Our one rule, besides Stick together, is Don't get caught...If we needed them tomorrow they'd show.
Ponyboy needs to show his friends and the Socs that the greasers stand together. Ponyboy also knows first-hand that the Socs can take advantage of greasers and he has had enough. After seeing Johnny get jumped, being jumped himself and nearly being drowned by a Soc, and knowing what has happened to Dally and Johnny, Ponyboy also has had enough.
Why does Dally enjoy fighting in The Outsiders?
Just before the rumble in chapter 9, Pony thinks of the various reasons why different members of the Greaser gang like to fight. Pony proceeds to comment that Soda fights for fun, Darry for pride, Steve for hatred, Two-Bit for conformity, and himself for self-defense. However, Pony does not include Dally or contemplate why he likes to fight. Although Pony does not mention Dally, one could make an accurate guess as to why he enjoys fighting by examining his personality and analyzing his background.
In the story, Dally is depicted as a cold, ruthless teenager, who has an extensive criminal record and reputation as a reckless, wild delinquent. Similar to many Greasers, Dally comes from a broken home and simply enjoys breaking the law. According to Pony, Dally blew off steam in rumbles and continues to fight the Socs because he is bitter. Dally also enjoys his reputation as a dangerous, intimidating gang member and has a history of engaging in deleterious activities.
Given Dally's personality and criminal activity, one could argue that Dally likes to fight because he has a self-destructive streak and enjoys the adrenaline rush of engaging in a physical altercation. Dally may also like to fight because he feels powerful and in control, which is a feeling he does not experience in his normal life. There is also the possibility that Dally simply enjoys fighting because it is another illegal activity and contributes to his reputation as a dangerous, intimidating Greaser.
In The Outsiders, does Ponyboy enjoy fighting? What is Darry's view on the rumble?
Ponyboy seems to have wanted to fight in the final rumble between the Greasers and the Socs but at the same time he does not really want to fight. He is not feeling well before the rumble takes place; he takes a few aspirin and can not really eat. It is clear that Darry does not think that Ponyboy should participate in the fight because he looks a little pale and just does not seem like himself.
Why does Ponyboy decide to participate in the rumble in The Outsiders?
In Chapter 9, the Greasers are getting ready to rumble against the Socs. Ponyboy is feeling sick but decides he is going to fight. Ponyboy begins to contemplate why other Greasers enjoy fighting while they are getting ready. Ponyboy puts lots of oil in his hair to show that he is a Greaser and comments that tonight the boys could be proud to be Greasers. He does not fully understand why they are proud of being "hoods," and even mentions that he doesn't like having the reputation of a Greaser. Ponyboy begins to ask the other Greasers why they like to fight. Ponyboy mentions that he'll fight anybody anytime, but doesn't like to. When Darry says that he doesn't think Ponyboy should be in the rumble, Ponyboy thinks,
"Oh, no, I thought in mortal fear, I've got to be in it. Right then the most important thing in my life was helping us whip the Socs. Don't let him make me stay home now. I've got to be in it." (Hinton 134)
Although Pony is opposed to fighting, he is fiercely loyal to his friends.He knows that his gang needs all the help it can get, and he is willing to fight at all cost. Darry is hesitant to let Ponyboy fight, but Sodapop convinces him that Ponyboy will be alright because they were not going to use weapons. Ponyboy tells Darry that he is ready to rumble and will get ahold of a little guy. Darry finally allows Ponyboy to participate in the rumble.
In The Outsiders, why do Darry, Two-Bit, and Ponyboy enjoy fighting?
Before the big fight with the Socs, Ponyboy asks the other boys why they like fighting. Just out of the blue he decides that he is curious and asks each of them in turn. Soda says he likes it because it is "like a drag race or a dance or something." He likes the competition of it, wants to win.
Pony suggests that Darry likes to fight so he can show off his muscles and demonstrate his amazing strength. But for Darry, fighting is basically a way of life. He has to fight to support his brothers and fight to keep them together and out of a group home. So if fighting the Socs is another thing he has to do, he will simply do it without questioning it. Combine that with the pleasure he takes in the physical challenge of it and he takes to it easily.
Why does Ponyboy enjoy fighting in The Outsiders?
In chapter 9, Ponyboy asks Darry why he likes to fight before the rumble, and Sodapop responds by saying that Darry enjoys showing off his muscles. After digesting this information, Ponyboy thinks about why he fights and mentions that he is willing to fight anyone but does not enjoy it. Ponyboy is a sensitive individual who sympathizes with others and does not particularly like fighting.
After thinking about his motivation to fight, Ponyboy feels compelled to participate in the rumble no matter what in order to help his friends. On his way there, Ponyboy continues to think about why he fights and asks himself,
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's comment indicates that he is a rational, sensitive person who only fights if it is necessary. Despite being exhausted, stressed, and physically weak after hiding out in Windrixville, Ponyboy decides to join the rumble and ends up suffering a severe concussion after he is kicked in the head.