The Outsiders Hero Analysis

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In The Outsiders, there are heroic deeds done left and right, their significance ranging from saving kids from a burning church to stabbing someone to save a close friend. I consider Johnny to be the biggest hero in this book. “This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening. This can’t be… ‘You really killed him, huh, Johnny?’ ‘Yeah.’ His voice quavered slightly. ‘I had to. They were drowning you, Pony. They might have killed you. And they had a blade… they were gonna beat me up….’” (Page 57) Although murder may not exactly fit the definition of hero in the dictionary, what Johnny did does fit the definition of heroism. I believe that is why Johnny is the biggest hero. Johnny may not have had to take the risk of murder, and I am still convinced …show more content…
In this moment, Johnny’s attitude and personality truly changed into a courageous hero’s personality. Johnny, in a split second, decided that he needed to take action, Bob was going to drown his friend. I would say it takes a semi-outgoing person to stab someone, at least someone who isn’t a ‘gang pet’. This was also a tipping point for Johnny, suddenly, he seemed less of a puppy. Pony started to refer Johnny less as a puppy, and occasionally, ‘tuff’. This situation was forced upon Johnny, and with few options, he chose murder. In Randy’s eyes, what Johnny did may not have been a heroic move, but to Johnny and Pony, it was. Developing into this ‘hero’ and refugee, changed Johnny. From Pony’s eyes, Johnny was a hero. Often when someone saves your life, it is almost common sense for them to be like a hero to you. Saving yourself may also make you a hero. Johnny gained respect and had noble qualities for saving Pony. Johnny could have been a coward, a puppy, a ‘pet’, let Pony die. Instead, he put trust in himself, and did the right thing. Save his best friend. Just because someone is a hero in the moment, does not mean they did the right

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