Characterization in The Outsiders

1. By: Jade Ivey, Kim Wheble, Jason Robbins, and Blake Givens Characterization in The Outsiders

2. Ponyboy Curtis • fourteen-year-old • narrator • youngest of the greasers. • his parents have died in a car accident • lives with his brothers Darry and Sodapop. • lacking common sense • reliable and observant • naive

3. Darrel Curtis • Ponyboy’soldest brother. • known as “Darry,” • twenty-year-old greaser who is raising Ponyboy • parents have died in a car crash • Strong • athletic • Intelligent • has quit school • works two jobs • The unofficial leader of the greasers. • The other greasers call him “Superman.”

4. Sodapop Curtis • Ponyboy’sbrother • happy-go-lucky • handsome • middle Curtis boy • good looking and charming • Wants to marry Sandy, a greaser girl

5. Two-Bit Mathews  • The joker • real name is Keith • wisecracking greaser • regularly shoplifts • He prizes his sleek black-handled switchblade. • He instigates the hostilities between the Socs and the greasers by flirting with Marcia, the girlfriend of a Soc.

6. Steve Randle • Sodapop’sbest friend since grade school. • seventeen-year-old greaser • works with Sodapop at the gas station • knows everything about cars and specializes in stealing hubcaps • Cocky and intelligent • tall and lean • Has thick hair worn in a complicated arrangement of swirls • Tough

7. Dallas Winston • The toughest greaser • known as “Dally,” • used to run with gangs in New York • elfin face and icy blue eyes • does not put grease in his white-blond hair. • violent tendencies • dangerous • takes pride in his criminal record • protective

8. Johnny Cade • A sixteen-year-old • greaser • black hair and large, fearful eyes • does not succeed in school, he approaches • The child of alcoholic, abusive parents, • nervous and sensitive. • sees the greasers as his true family • concentrative

9. Cherry Valance • Bob’s girlfriend • Soc cheerleader • real name is Sherri • red hair • offended and intrigued by her encounter with Dally Winston at the drive-in • becomes a spy for the greasers

10. Marcia  • Cherry’s friend • Randy’s girlfriend • Pretty • dark-haired • Soc • befriends Two-Bit at the drive-in

11. Randy Adderson • Marcia’s boyfriend • Bob’s best friend • handsome • Soc who • eventually sees the futility of fighting • peacemaker

12. Bob Sheldon • Cherry’s boyfriend • Soc • dark-haired • beats up Johnny before the novel begins • has a set of three heavy rings, which he wears when he fights greasers • never been disciplined

13. Tim Shepard • The leader of another band of greasers • friend of Dally • hungry • restless • hoods • criminal