Sodapops In The Outsiders

Most of today's middle class society can't even fathom what it would be like to live in such a hostile environment, struggling and fighting to keep safe or slide by. Living in the barren lands of Oklahoma leaves little room for dreams or a better future for anyone in such a situation back in 1965. Growing up living such lifestyle cookie cutters most into becoming at the very least a poor decision maker who cares naught for anyone. S.E. Hilton’s novel ¨The Outsiders¨ shows a different side of the ¨hoodlums¨ of the east side. In fact, most characters from the outsiders boast sound morals and are ready to do what was right at the drop of a dime. But Sodapops actions throughout the novel prove that he has the strongest moral compass because he

There are numerous times throughout the novel where Soda appears plagued with a problem, but he'd never let his problems reach his others, if not to put more of a burden on their shoulders. Sodapop does appear to share his problems with Ponyboy though, Pony being the one that said that ¨He never let mom and dad how he felt though because we never had enough money and usually we had a hard time making ends meet.¨(Hilton 40) Soda seems to attempt to ignore his own problems in order to benefit others. Bottling up your problems and maintaining a positive attitude in order to break the gloomy atmosphere the Curtis family lives in is a tall order to fill, that Sodapop graciously took up the role of most of his life. And while it previously states in the beginning chapters of The Outsiders that Ponyboy was Sodapop's listening ear, further down the storyline it is revealed by Ponyboy himself that this is not the case. ¨And while I was thinking about it, I realized that I never had paid much attention to Soda's problems. Darry and I just took for granted that he didn't have any.”(Hilton 174) Another point to add to the argument is that while all of this was going on, Soda still played the middleman in all of Darry and Ponyboy's arguments and he tried to smooth out the brother's relationship. He was the voice of reason in all of the duos spats, and worked on mitigating the

As previously stated at previously, the mold Sodapop was raised in typically would have shaped him into someone such as Darry, or even Dally, two people who have little care for most people. Instead, Sodapop is kind and understanding towards the members of the gang, and is at the ready to comfort a kindred Greaser. ¨It's okay Johnnycake, they're gone now. It's okay.”(Hilton 23) Sodapop's actions in this quote display his comforting manner as he consoles Johnny. ¨Steve stumbled forward with a sob, but Soda caught him by the shoulders. 'Easy buddy, easy.' I heard him say softly,'there's nothing that we can do now.'¨(Hilton 154) As in the preceding quote, Soda is seen once again putting someone (in this case scenerio, Steve) at ease. Sodapop may seem very laconic in the novel speaking few lines at a time, but his genuine and tender efforts are never futile in the end. Sodapop also plays a crucial role in his gang. He acts as a positive influence that pierces through the negative energy the brooding members of his Greaser clique give off. Even in harsh times, Sodapop is a ray of sunshine and makes the best of situations to brighten the gang's spirits and push forward. Despite being a Greaser, Soda is shown as being an all-around people pleaser, loved by all. ¨'You're an okay kid pony.' I had to grin at him, Soda can make you grin no