Character Analysis Of Johnny In The Outsiders

In “The Outsiders,” by S.E. Hinton, Johnny Cade, becomes a hero by exchanging his life for others. Johnny wanted to live a good life, but when he killed a soc he became a murderer. So, he ran away to an old church. After a while the church caught on fire and kids were trapped inside. Johnny saved them, but injured himself badly. Then, Johnny died as a hero. In this story, Johnny saved Ponyboy from drowning in a fountain by killing a Soc. Also, when the church caught on fire Johnny took the chance and saved kids who were trapped. In some ways Johnny isn’t a hero because when he killed Bob he knew the police would be after for him, and instead of turning himself in he runs away. This is wrong when Johnny thinks about what he has done he changed his mind and wanted to turn himself in. Above all, Johnny is the most heroic character in “The Outsiders.”

When Socs attacked Johnny and Ponyboy, a Soc started drowning Ponyboy. So, Johnny went in to help by killing Bob. For example, “You killed him, huh, Johnny?” “Yeah.” His voice quavered slightly. “I had to. They were drowning you, Pony. They might have killed you” (p. 57). Johnny had no choice because the Socs were drunk and Pony was at the point of almost dying. Following this, when Johnny took out his switchblade and killed Bob, blood was everywhere. For instance, “I killed him,” he said slowly. “I killed that boy.”Bob, the handsome Soc, was lying there in the moonlight, doubled up and still… I looked at Johnny’s hand. He was clutching his switchblade and it was dark to the hilt” (p. 56). He had no choice to do this because when he did all the Socs ran away. To conclude, Johnny is a hero because he saved Ponyboy from Socs who were drowning