Comparison Of Heroes In The Outsiders And Johnny Cade

Whether one is a dirty, felonious greaser or an upscale, wealthy social, one can become a hero no matter the background that they originate from. However, in a mid-20th century Oklahoma city overrun by a unique class of Socials and Greasers, Two heroes emerge from similar backgrounds. Both heroes coming from a dirty, violent, and criminal background of Greasers. Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny Cade put their lives at risk for the greater good of other people. They do not do these acts of kindness for fame or fortune, but rather out of their own heart to ensure the safety and security of the people around them. It is out of the ordinary for Greasers to commit to acts like these making them exotic heroes in S.E. Hinton’s fiction novel, The Outsiders.

Philip Zimbardo once stated that, “The key to heroism is a concern for other people in need-a concern to defend a moral cause, knowing there is a personal risk, done without expectation of reward.” Johnny Cade, one of our heroes ties into this description very accurately. Johnny Cade come from a torn and ragged family. His parents are always drunk, and they always argue on certain matters that just makes Johnny want to stay away from his own house. Johnny doesn’t consider his Birth parents his actual family instead, he considers his friends in the gang his family. Johnny is a type of character that would put his friends before himself, he demonstrated that he would kill someone to save his friends, “Johnny shoved me toward the window. "Get out!" I leaped out the window and heard timber crashing and the flames roaring right behind me. I staggered, almost falling, coughing and sobbing for breath. Then I heard Johnny scream” (80). This is showing that Johnny saved his

This definition of hero fits Ponyboy precisely, as he is different from everyone else. Ponyboy is a very unique individual and he is different from the rest of the Greasers in the gang. Ponyboy is very sensitive and has never approved of fighting, he only does it to gain approval from the gang. Ponyboy puts his own life at risk to save some kids lives in burning church, “I picked up a kid, and he promptly bit me, but I leaned out, the window and dropped him as gently as I could, being in a hurry like that. A crowd was there by that time. Dally was standing there, and when he saw me he screamed, ‘For Pete's sake, get outa there! That roofs gonna cave in any minute. Forget those blasted kids!’ “ (79). This shows that Ponyboy would go into a burning church, risking his own life to save the lives of a few little kids. He understands that Johnny and himself started the fire so he somewhat feels responsible for it. Ponyboy quickly runs into the church and saves the kids with the help of Johnny. They get all the kids out safely but, they are also injured in the process. This shows how he sets an example to those around him, He could “set up blazing torches” for people to follow him in his good deeds. It is likely that he even displayed a good example for the kids that he rescued from the church. Ponyboy knew that after