Heroism In The Outsiders

The Outsiders by S.E Hinton is a realistic fiction novel. This book is about Ponyboy, a fourteen year old boy, who is being raised by his older brother because his parents have passed away. Ponyboy and his brothers are members of a gang called the Greasers who are in constant conflict with the Socs, an opposing gang. The greasers proved to be the heroes in the story, not the beloved Socs, the three greasers who showed the most heroism are: Ponyboy, Darry and Johnny.
Ponyboy has shows multiple courageous acts. When Ponyboy is at the movies, he stands up for what is right because noble figures do the right thing no matter the cost. Ponyboy’s friend, Dally, aggravates Cherry, a Soc at the movies. Just like a lion-hearted young man, Ponyboy tells Dally to leave her alone because that is the right thing to do (Hinton, 22-24). Ponyboy always puts the needs of others before his own. When Johnny, his good friend, is in trouble with the police, Ponyboy helps him hide from the cops (Hinton, 62). Ponyboy also saves some children during a fire. Ponyboy sees a church on fire and goes in and helps rescue several children that are caught in the church (Hinton, 92-93). Similar to his brother, Ponyboy, Darry is also a valiant …show more content…
Johnny is willing to take dangerous risks to save his friends. When Ponyboy is jumped by the Socs. Johnny kills one of them to save Ponyboy. In shock, Johnny tells Ponyboy, “I killed that boy” after he stabs the Soc (Hinton 56). Johnny also saves children from a fire. Johnny, along with Ponyboy, rush into a burning church and pull trapped children to safety (Hinton, 92-93). Even when Johnny’s heroic actions cost him his life, he has no regrets. In his last letter to Ponyboy, Johnny says that saving the kids was “...worth it” and he says he “...doesn’t mind dying now” (Hinton 178). Although it cost him his life, Johnny never regretted his heroic act of saving the kids from the burning