Johnny Cade Character Analysis
Ray Zhang
10/28/2014
Period 3
Can He “Stay Gold” or is He Gone?
Changes are subtle, but when observed closely, they can be spotted easily. It is just as if an ant is under a microscope, so that people can see a scar on one of its legs. That is the case with the characters in the book, The Outsiders, by S.E Hinton. Although there are many dynamic people shown in the book, with Ponyboy being the easiest one to see, soft-spoken Johnny Cade is one-of-a-kind, if examined closely. Johnny’s thinking changes dramatically as he faces many challenges in his life. Johnny is a timid and nervous 16 year old that changes into a strong-willed man, able to think and act as an individual, which shows that he is a dynamic character.
First, Johnny appreciates …show more content…
Originally, Johnny was a very quiet person, who always seemed suspicious. Then, Johnny tells Dally to stop messing with Cherry when Dally tried to put his arm around her. This is very strange because Johnny is very timid, and “Johnny [worships] the ground Dallas [walks] on, and [Ponyboy] never heard Johnny talk back to anyone, much less his hero” (25). This is the first time Johnny has ever talked back to anyone, and Johnny did it to his hero, Dally. Although he was nervous when he said it, Johnny is not afraid to stand up for others, even it meant going against your hero’s wishes. Another incident is in the park, where he and Ponyboy are jumped by the Socs. Johnny takes out his switchblade not to threaten the Socs, but actually to kill their leader, Bob. This is a real turning point for Johnny in the book because Johnny never killed anything, but he intentionally took out a person’s life! Additionally, it is not Johnny that goes sick, but it is Ponyboy. One would think that Johnny would get sick because he is very nervous and he has never killed anyone, especially since this time was an intentional murder. Johnny just becomes pale and scared. But Ponyboy, the spectator, gets sick, and he “leaned back and closed [his] eyes so [he] wouldn’t see Bob lying there” (57). Johnny actually helps Ponyboy get out of his
10/28/2014
Period 3
Can He “Stay Gold” or is He Gone?
Changes are subtle, but when observed closely, they can be spotted easily. It is just as if an ant is under a microscope, so that people can see a scar on one of its legs. That is the case with the characters in the book, The Outsiders, by S.E Hinton. Although there are many dynamic people shown in the book, with Ponyboy being the easiest one to see, soft-spoken Johnny Cade is one-of-a-kind, if examined closely. Johnny’s thinking changes dramatically as he faces many challenges in his life. Johnny is a timid and nervous 16 year old that changes into a strong-willed man, able to think and act as an individual, which shows that he is a dynamic character.
First, Johnny appreciates …show more content…
Originally, Johnny was a very quiet person, who always seemed suspicious. Then, Johnny tells Dally to stop messing with Cherry when Dally tried to put his arm around her. This is very strange because Johnny is very timid, and “Johnny [worships] the ground Dallas [walks] on, and [Ponyboy] never heard Johnny talk back to anyone, much less his hero” (25). This is the first time Johnny has ever talked back to anyone, and Johnny did it to his hero, Dally. Although he was nervous when he said it, Johnny is not afraid to stand up for others, even it meant going against your hero’s wishes. Another incident is in the park, where he and Ponyboy are jumped by the Socs. Johnny takes out his switchblade not to threaten the Socs, but actually to kill their leader, Bob. This is a real turning point for Johnny in the book because Johnny never killed anything, but he intentionally took out a person’s life! Additionally, it is not Johnny that goes sick, but it is Ponyboy. One would think that Johnny would get sick because he is very nervous and he has never killed anyone, especially since this time was an intentional murder. Johnny just becomes pale and scared. But Ponyboy, the spectator, gets sick, and he “leaned back and closed [his] eyes so [he] wouldn’t see Bob lying there” (57). Johnny actually helps Ponyboy get out of his