The Outsiders Essay

 

            You are the smartest person in your grade year.  You are the captain of the High school football team. You have tons of friends.  What if one day that all changed?  The parents you knew and loved died and you had to take control of the family and forget anything you had in mind for a successful life. This is what Darry had to go through in the book The Outsiders.

When Darryl Shaynne Curtis was a child he had a superior life. He was Quarterback of the high school football team and he was even offered a college scholarship. This is what Darry gave up to take care of his brothers. Darry had everything as a child. Giving up his dreams for his family changed his relationship with his brothers specifically Ponyboy. Darry is a dynamic character because he has to change the way he lives to adjust to the death of his parents.

Darry says numerous times: "Ponyboy, use your head" page(50). I believe that when Darry gets angry with Ponyboy he does not mean what he says and uses too much force and is unkind. On page 49 he yells at Ponyboy for sleeping out in the vacant lot. He slaps Ponyboy and causes Ponyboy to run away. When Darry was a child no one ever hit each other in the family. This shows that the way the family ran has changes becuase of the death of their parents.

 The way Darry acts has entirely changed since the death of his parents.  Ponyboy speaks his opinion of Darry on page 51, "He didn't use to be like that…we used to get along okay…before Mom and Dad died. Now he just can't stand me. Darry is going through a lot of stress with two jobs and does not have much patience with Ponyboy. Towards the end of the book Darry creates respect for Ponyboy and does not yell. In the rumble Darry shows a lot of respect because he shows that he cares for Ponyboy.

In the beginning of the book Darry does not treat Ponyboy with respect. In the end he does. Ponyboy also is not afraid of Darry in the end of the book either. Darry’s respect for Ponyboy changed in the book making Darry a dynamic character. Even though Darry did not reach his dreams, at least he still has his family and has learned how to be a better parent -- and brother.

Dynamic and Static Characters Cherry Valance

  Cherry is a Dynamic character is the book "The Outsiders". I think that Cherry is a dynamic character because she changes her belief about  greasers in general and about Ponyboy.  I think after she and Ponyboy talk at the movies they know each other better and Cherry knows that not all greasers are mean and dangerous.  Ponyboy also changes at this point and does not think that all socs do not like greasers.  Another point that proves Cherry changes is when she is a spy for the greasers.

The Meaning of the Title: The Outsiders

The reason for the title I believe has to do with what Ponyboy and his friends are.  They are greasers but they aren't hard core greasers. They are different than greasers they are friends with each other and look out for each other.  Typical greasers rob daily and will without thinking pull guns and knives on innocent people.  Ponyboy and his family do not look to hurt people only when for defense.  The outsiders means that they do not fit anywhere. They are there own type. They can be friendly and nice yet they are still greasers.