Many people have their own unique definition of a hero. A hero is a person, typically a man, but can also be a woman, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. In the book The Outsiders, Johnny, Ponyboy and Dally were all considered heroes.
Johnny is a sixteen year old greaser, who is known as the “gangs pet.” He has lived a very physical and verbal abusive life from his parents. He, and Dally are really close friends because they've both experienced some of the same things in life, and although Johnny was seen as the bad guy to some for killing the Soc Bob, he was considered a hero to others. He was a hero, because he helped save Ponyboy’s life when the Soc jumped them, which resulted in the death of Bob. He also helped save those young kids lives from the burning church. And despite his abusive background, he also died a hero. Johnny died thinking not only of himself, but of others also. He leaves Ponyboy with the last words of “stay gold.” (Hinton, page 148)
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He is the brother of sixteen year old Sodapop, and twenty year old Darry who has guardianship of his two younger brothers, since their parents were killed in a car accident. Ponyboy is recognized as a hero because, he saved the children who ran off from their school picnic, from being burned in the old church building. He is also a very admirable, and courageous friend, because he stays by his friend Johnny’s side after he killed Bob. The two boy’s also runaway together , instead of going to the police, they chose to risk their own safety just to stick together, up until Johnny