How Has Johnny Changed In The Outsiders

Johnny Cade is a 16-year-old with a violent father and an ignorant mother whom almost do nothing for him. He has been bullied by a gang called the Socials. Before becoming a part of the Greasers, he thought his only value was to just be the continuous “puppy being kicked around.” In S.E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders”, Johnny Cade’s personal experiences changes his values for better with the assistance of the Greasers by showing him the world around him. Johnny Cade changes by learning to appreciate those around him to rivals can have a good outcome. According to chapter five, "I never noticed colors or clouds and stuff until you keep reminding me about them. It's almost like they weren't there before." Johnny is receives appreciation training from Ponyboy to help build up a appreciation for everyone and nature. Becoming aware of the beauty of …show more content…
According to chapter six, “I hadn't realized Johnny was right behind me all the way.” When the church is on fire, Johnny wants to save the kids, so he charged in the burning building knowing he’s risking his life for the kids in the church and for Ponyboy’s sake. He successfully took all the children safely out of the building, but his sustained major damage to his body. According to chapter nine, “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.” “Stay gold” is a reference to the Robert Frost poem that Ponyboy recites to Johnny when the two hide out in the Windrixville Church. One line in the poem reads, “Nothing gold can stay,” meaning that all good things must come to an end. In the end, Johnny Cade was trying protect his friends and their innocence at any cost even if it comes to when Johnny has sacrifice his own life for the safety of others, and by doing so Johnny receives a sense of worth for what little he had left to live. Therefore, sacrificing lives, was for the better by giving others the chance move on in the world around