Sometimes people have to redeem themselves to gain the respect they deserve. People can take desperate measures to receive a title that they feel is is inside them. Ponyboy, a character from The Outsiders, has to make some daring moves and decisions to gain respect. Ponyboy risks his life many times and does things through the course of the story that are unexpected for someone like him. Ponyboy is different from the inside than the outside because on the outside he is weak and a kid, but on the inside he is strong.
One reason that Ponyboy is different on the outside than the inside is that he appears weak. “I got pretty scared- I’m kind of small for fourteen even though I have a good build” (4)... In the beginning of the novel, it shows …show more content…
“But I had both arms wrapped around the other Soc’s neck and refused to let go” (144). This passage shows the growth in Ponyboy’s physical strength throughout the novel. Towards the end of the book, there is a big rumble between the Greasers and the Socs. Not only is this a good example of redeeming physical strength, but also mental strength when he is telling himself to persevere and keep holding on to the Soc. During their stay at the abandoned church while running away, Johnny, another greaser, and Ponyboy see a fire coming off of the building. “I didn’t pay any attention, although pieces of the old roof were crashing down too close for comfort. I snatched up another kid” (93)... Ponyboy went straight into a burning church to save the children stuck in there; not knowing if he would make it out alive, which shows true inner strength. Another example is when Cherry and Ponyboy were talking about school during the drive-in movie. “‘I got put up a year in school’” (23). Ponyboy explains that he was put up a year in school, which means that he is very smart. This passage shows how mentally strong Ponyboy is. Towards the end of the novel, Ponyboy and his brothers are racing to their house from the rumble. “‘Race you!’ I challenged, leaping up...I guess I was still out of shape, because we all three tied” (177). It appears that Ponyboy and his brothers are racing, and
One reason that Ponyboy is different on the outside than the inside is that he appears weak. “I got pretty scared- I’m kind of small for fourteen even though I have a good build” (4)... In the beginning of the novel, it shows …show more content…
“But I had both arms wrapped around the other Soc’s neck and refused to let go” (144). This passage shows the growth in Ponyboy’s physical strength throughout the novel. Towards the end of the book, there is a big rumble between the Greasers and the Socs. Not only is this a good example of redeeming physical strength, but also mental strength when he is telling himself to persevere and keep holding on to the Soc. During their stay at the abandoned church while running away, Johnny, another greaser, and Ponyboy see a fire coming off of the building. “I didn’t pay any attention, although pieces of the old roof were crashing down too close for comfort. I snatched up another kid” (93)... Ponyboy went straight into a burning church to save the children stuck in there; not knowing if he would make it out alive, which shows true inner strength. Another example is when Cherry and Ponyboy were talking about school during the drive-in movie. “‘I got put up a year in school’” (23). Ponyboy explains that he was put up a year in school, which means that he is very smart. This passage shows how mentally strong Ponyboy is. Towards the end of the novel, Ponyboy and his brothers are racing to their house from the rumble. “‘Race you!’ I challenged, leaping up...I guess I was still out of shape, because we all three tied” (177). It appears that Ponyboy and his brothers are racing, and