Characters, Themes, and Conflicts Page
Greasers Characters
he Greasers are a gang of boys who are not quite "hoods," but they definitely are not angels. These boys have had a hard life growing up and choose looking "tuff" with their greasy hair over becoming the valedictorian. The constant conflict with the
Socs, who are the rich and privileged group of teens, runs throughout the novel. However, the Greasers care about each other and try to make the best of their life.
Dallas Winston
"Dally" is from New York, where he has been to jail and is 17. He has a more sinister side as compared to the other Greasers. However, he truly loves Johnny and is always loyal to the Greaser gang. When Johnny and Ponyboy need to leave town after the Soc stabbing, he gives them money and directions to a place where they can hide. He even sends the police in the wrong direction when questioned. After Dally recovers from his injuries from the church fire, he loses his sense to live when Johnny dies. He robs a store and is shot by the police after the rumble between the Socs and the Greasers.
Keith Matthews
"Two-Bit" is always joking around and getting into trouble. He likes to get drunk and to carry a switchblade. However, he rarely uses the blade and likes to shoplift items. He befriends Marcia, who is a Soc and Cherry's best friend, but he knows that he has no chance with a girl who is a Soc.
Socs of "The Outsiders"
The Outsiders focuses on the classic conflict of the rich, spoiled teens versus the poor kids from the wrong side of the tracks. The Socs seem to have everything in the beginning of the book. However, the main character, Ponyboy, learns from Cherry that it is truly "rough all over."
Socs Characters
he Socs go out looking for Greasers when they are drinking and "jump" unsuspecting members for fun. The Socs (which is not pronounced "socks") is short for Socials. This group is the rich-get-away-with-anything-because-daddy-has-money group at the Tulsa high school. They have beer blasts, drive Mustangs, and wear nice clothes, which include madras shirts.
Bob Sheldon
Bob drives a Mustang, wears big rings, drinks heavily and gets away with quite a bit of mischief. His parents are wealthy and for kicks he likes to beat up Greasers. He "jumps" Johnny. Bob is later killed by Johnny when he and his friends are drowning Ponyboy in the fountain in the park. Bob and his group had been drinking.
Sherri "Cherry" Valance
Cherry is a cheerleader and is Bob's girlfriend. She meets Ponyboy, who is a Greaser, at the drive-in movie when she and Marcia leave their boyfriends when they drink too much. Cherry and Ponyboy find they have a great deal in common but live in different worlds. Cherry later becomes a spy for the Greasers. She delivers information about the upcoming rumble. However, her love for Bob keeps her from visiting Johnny in the hospital before his death.
Randy Adderson
Randy is Bob's friend and is with him when they have run-ins with the Greasers. However, after Ponyboy and Johnny save the children in the fire and Bob's death, Randy realizes that he Ponyboy is a good person. He doesn't want to fight anymore. He comes to the realization that the violence is senseless. He tells Ponyboy this before the rumble and does not take part in the fight.
Marcia
Marcia is Cherry's best friend. She giggles and is a foil to Cherry, who is more serious. She and Two-bit joke around, but her boyfriend is Randy.
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