Several of the main characters in The
Outsiders consider their greaser buddies as family, particularly Ponyboy and
Johnny. Following the death of his parents, Pony relies more and more on his friends
since he has problems dealing with older brother Darry. Johnny's home life is terrible;
his parents fight and argue all the time, and Johnny is both physically and mentally
abused by them. He feels much more at home with Pony, Dally and
Two-Bit.
Speaking of his greaser friends, Pony tells us
that
We're
almost as close as brothers; when you grow up in a tight-knit neighborhood like ours you
get to know each other real
well.
As for
Johnny,
He was
the gang's pet, everyone's kid brother... If it hadn't been for the gang, Johnny would
never have known what love and affection
are.
And just before Johnny
and Pony are attacked by the Socs in the park, Pony tries to calm his
friend.
"...
you got the whole gang."
Not
long before Johnny died, Pony tried to cheer both of them up at the hospital. Pony saw
that Johnny was dying, and he knew that the gang wouldn't be the
same.
"You'll be okay," I said with fake cheerfullness. "You gotta be. We couldn't get along
without you."
The truth of that last statement hit me. We couldn't get
along without him. We needed Johnny as much as he needed the
gang.
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