Ponyboys Identity Analysis

The biggest influence in shaping Ponyboy’s identity was his loyalty to his gang as throughout the book the author shows just how loyal Ponyboy is. To begin with, in the story, Darry did not want Ponyboy to go to the rumble because he was quite beat up. However, Ponyboy really believed he should go because they were down in numbers and he wanted to fight for his gang anyway. In the text it said, “Oh, no, I thought in mortal fear, I’ve got to be in it. Right then the most important thing in my life was helping us whip the Socs.” (Hinton 134). This quote clearly shows that even though it would have been a much better choice for his health if he did not go he was still determined to go to the rumble. He strongly believed that he had to help out

After Johnny told him to back off the girls were talking about Dally but then Johnny and Ponyboy stuck up for him. “‘Dally’s okay,’ Johnny said defensively, and I nodded. You take up for your buddies, no matter what they do. When you’re a gang, you stick up for the members. If you don’t stick up for them, stick together, make like brothers, it isn’t a gang anymore.” (Hinton 26). This quote shows that no matter what, Ponyboy will always be there to stick up for his gang. In this part of the story Dally was being completely disrespectful and it would have been embarrassing to admit that Dally was a friend to them but nevertheless Ponyboy was still determined to stick up for him. Dally of all the gang members is much like a “hood” and Ponyboy did not like him very much but Pony still stuck up for him. So, the fact that he will always stick up for his gang even if they did something embarrassing or horrifying shows not only true friendship but also fierce loyalty and love. Throughout the book Pony has always stuck up for his gang and proven just how important it is to him to stick by them and it proves that this fierce loyalty and necessity to stick up for his gang is something he lives