In S.E. Hinton’s novel The Outsiders, the character Johnny Cade changes from a constantly nervous, suspicious and fearful teenager scarred from years of physical and mental abuse to a courageous protector and hero. In the beginning of the story, Johnny is a wounded soul who desperately needs the acceptance and physical and emotional support of his fellow greasers. As the story unfolds, however, Johnny rises above his nervousness and fear and becomes a leader and a hero. He shows leadership when he saves Ponyboy from being drowned by Bob, a hated Soc, and then calmly leads Ponyboy away to the country. Later, he becomes a hero when he rescues young children from a burning church. His heroism at the church costs him his life, but not before
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Ponyboy describes him as “a little dark puppy that has been kicked too many times and is lost in a crowd of strangers” (11). For years, Johnny suffers physical beatings from his father and is ignored by his mother. The Socs nearly beat him to death. All of these experiences make him nervous and suspicious of everyone. He feels unloved by anyone except his fellow gang members. He desperately needs the support of the greasers, and he seems not to have much to offer in return except his loyalty. In fact, early in the novel it is hard to imagine Johnny doing the things that he does later in the …show more content…
Hinton’s character Johnny Cade changes from a paranoid teenager scarred by his abusive past to an inspirational leader and hero. When Johnny is introduced, he is described as wounded puppy dog desperate to find love and physical and emotional stabililty. As the story continues, though, he overcomes his fear and discovers he has great inner strength and courage. He first displays this strength when he kills Bob to keep him from drowning Ponyboy. Later, he gives his life to rescue children from the burning church. His death shows that the greasers have become so close that they are willing to die for each other. It also shows that Johnny has completed his journey from scarred teenaged puppy dog to the courageous hero with the big
Ponyboy describes him as “a little dark puppy that has been kicked too many times and is lost in a crowd of strangers” (11). For years, Johnny suffers physical beatings from his father and is ignored by his mother. The Socs nearly beat him to death. All of these experiences make him nervous and suspicious of everyone. He feels unloved by anyone except his fellow gang members. He desperately needs the support of the greasers, and he seems not to have much to offer in return except his loyalty. In fact, early in the novel it is hard to imagine Johnny doing the things that he does later in the …show more content…
Hinton’s character Johnny Cade changes from a paranoid teenager scarred by his abusive past to an inspirational leader and hero. When Johnny is introduced, he is described as wounded puppy dog desperate to find love and physical and emotional stabililty. As the story continues, though, he overcomes his fear and discovers he has great inner strength and courage. He first displays this strength when he kills Bob to keep him from drowning Ponyboy. Later, he gives his life to rescue children from the burning church. His death shows that the greasers have become so close that they are willing to die for each other. It also shows that Johnny has completed his journey from scarred teenaged puppy dog to the courageous hero with the big