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Essay / Johnny, the most heroic character in The Outsiders
What is a hero? Some people say that heroes are people who save people from monsters or supervillains, or people with exceptional strength or speed. But heroes can be anyone. For example, Johnny from SE Hinton's The Outsiders or Ponyboy. There are anti-heroes like Bob. Anti-heroes are the complete opposite of heroes, lacking traditional heroic qualities such as courage or moral goodness. Most heroes are brave, selfless, and compassionate. Johnny Cade is a person with all of these qualities. Since Johnny is brave, selfless, and compassionate, he is the most heroic character in The Outsiders. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay One of Johnny's heroic qualities is bravery. Johnny is brave because when Johnny was talking to Dally and Ponyboy in Dally's car, he said, "I'm sure of it." It’s not fair for Ponyboy to have to stay awake in this church with Darry and Soda worrying about him all the time…” (Hinton 75). Johnny said he would turn himself in because it wasn't fair for Ponyboy to stay in the church, and Darry and Sodapop would worry about him for running off with Johnny. This is important because it shows that Johnny is brave enough to go to the police to turn himself in, and it also shows how attentive he is to what the feelings of Ponyboy's brothers Darry and Soda would be. Johnny doesn't want anyone to worry. Also, another character who shows courage is Dallas Winston. The teacher of one of the children Johnny saved describes Dally saving Johnny like this: "He burned his arm badly...trying to drag the other kid out the window" (Hinton 81). When Johnny needed help in the burning church, Dally rushed in and saved Johnny, risking his life in the process. This is special for Dally because Dally usually gets into trouble, but now Dally became a hero by saving Johnny. There are usually two sides to every conflict, and Greasers and Socs are no different. Cherry Valance is a Soc who shows courage. At the drive-in, Cherry explains why Cherry and Marcia didn't have a car: "It's not my idea of a good time to sit in a drive-in and watch people get drunk" (Hinton 25). She means she wants to keep alcohol out of her life, even if it means defying her boyfriend. She is brave enough to stand up to her lawless boyfriend and brave enough to escape the dangers of alcohol. However, a hero has more qualities than just bravery. Another heroic quality of Johnny is selflessness. When Ponyboy rushed into the church, he said, "I didn't realize Johnny was right behind me the whole way" (Hinton 78). Johnny wants to save the children, and he does so by following Ponyboy into the roaring, flaming church. Johnny sacrificed and risked his life saving all the children, putting their lives before his own. Additionally, Darrel Curtis shows selflessness when he decides to become Greaser and not Soc. When Two-Bit and Ponyboy were talking at the bus stop, Two-Bit said, "You know, the only thing stopping Darry from being a Soc is us." Darry is too smart to be a Greaser, he is strong, athletic and Darry even cuts his hair. But Darry wants to take care of his brothers, so he stays on the Greasers in order to take care of his loved ones. He ignores the possibility of a better future to take care of his family. Also, Cherry Valance is altruistic because she spied for Greasers on the Socs because she felt bad for?