The Theme Of Honor In 'The Outsiders'

549 Words3 Pages

Athena Blackmon
Mr. Pitchford
Language Arts
13 Dec. 2015
The Code of Honor
Courage is honor. Honor is integrity in one’s beliefs and actions. Courage is having the strength to stand up for it, no matter the consequences. Both are demonstrated among the lawless in S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders. Examples of this are when Two-bit explains to Cherry and Marcia what the code of honor is and when Ponyboy and Johnny get into trouble, Dally helps them out by giving them supplies and finding them a place to hide, no questions asked. The third illustration is when Two-Bit commits a crime that would get him arrested, but Dally takes the heat for it.
The first example of honor among the lawless, is during the movies. Two-Bit, Johnny, and Ponyboy are talking to Cherry and Marcia. They reference as to when Dally slashed Tim Shepherd’s tires. Two-Bit explains, “If we needed them tomorrow, they would show. If Tim beats Dally’s head in, then tomorrow asks us for help in a rumble, we’ll show” (Hinton 29). When Two-Bit says this, it shows how two different groups of greasers will help each other when the time is needed. Furthermore, it displays how independent groups can work together, as one, in order to defend their beliefs. Another …show more content…

After this happens, Dally allows himself to get arrested. “One night I saw Dally gettin’ picked up by the fuzz, and he kept real cool and calm the whole time. They was gettin’ him for breakin’ out the windows in the school building, and it was Two-Bit who did that. And Dally knew it” (76). This quote displays the amount of respect that lies amongst the greasers. They care enough for each other to go to jail for each other’s crimes. Many of the greasers would put others before themselves, especially if it meant facing the terrible consequences of something else. The consequence it isn’t as bad especially when you know you did it for the greater