The Outsiders, By S. E. Hinton

In the book The Outsiders, by S.E Hinton, the reason that Johnny and Ponyboy risked their lives is because of the guilt of their actions. In the text, it says, ““I bet we started it,” I said to Johnny. “We must have lighted a cigarette or somehting.””(Hinton 91). And in another text it says,“I jerked loose and ran on. All I could think was: We started it. We started it. We started it!”(Hinton 91) This shows that because of the consequences of their actions (smoking, leaving the cigarette lighted), they feel the guilt of their actions and save the children in the burning church. Earlier on in the text, it says, ““Johnny!” I nearly screaed. “What are we gonna do? They put you in the electric chair for killing people!” I was shaking. I want a
cigarette. I want a cigarette. I want a cigarette. We had smoked our last pack. “I’m scared Johnny. What are we gonna do?””(57). This shows that because of the murdering, Johnny and Ponyboy were thinking about the consequences, making Johnny want to be known as at least a normal person, not a criminal. In conclusion, because of the (possible) consequences of their actions, Ponyboy and Johnny risked their lives to save the children in the burning church.