Character Chart

Ponyboy Curtis

Ponyboy is the youngest member of the Greaser gang. However, unlike other Greasers, he appreciates sunsets, likes to watch movies alone, and is intelligent and brilliant with school work. The fourteen year old, through the events in the novel, evaluates his social position and introspects about the kind of life he wants to lead and what changes he might have to make to achieve that. He is able to bridge the gap between rivals by forcing others to see his humanity as well as by attempting to understand their perspective as well.

Darry Curtis

A hardworking and responsible twenty year old, Darry is the oldest brother. He had to take up the responsibility of bringing up his brothers after their parents’ death. Therefore, he decides to discontinue college and take up a job to support them. He expects a lot from Ponyboy but is unable to communicate his care for him. Through the novel, he begins to understand ways in which he can communicate his feelings to his siblings.

Johnny Cade

Hailing from an abusive family, Johnny adopts the Greasers as his real family. He is the second youngest in the gang and is a close friend of Ponyboy. Johnny is courageous and brave but, unfortunately, meets an untimely death. This is a driving fact in Ponyboy’s decision to evaluate his life choices and make changes.

Dallas Winston

A toughened Greaser, Dallas grew up on the streets of New York where he learns to be self-sufficient. On one hand, he is a loyal and compassionate friend but, on the other, he is impulsive and has a criminal background. He is very fond of Johnny, who he hopes will be able to achieve goals that he was unable to.

Cherry Valance

Cherry is a Soc and befriends Ponyboy at an early stage in the novel. She is adventurous and open-minded and helps Ponyboy see Socs as people too. Bob is her boyfriend and after his death, she helps in bridging the gap between the two gangs. Ponyboy remembers her assertion that both Socs and Greasers experience the same sunset.

Sodapop Curtis

Sodapop is the middle Curtis sibling and is handsome and easy going. He is often in the middle of the fights between Ponyboy and Darry . He has a job at the gas station and is supportive of his family.

Two-Bit Mathews

The eldest in the Greaser gang, Two-Bit is witty and considers Ponyboy as an equal.

Steve Randle

Steve, too, works at the gas station along with Sodapop and is often over at the Curtis home. Ponyboy thinks that Steve regards him as a mere child.

Bob Sheldon

Bob, Cherry’s boyfriend, is the Socs’ leader and is killed by Johnny when Bob attacks Johnny and Ponyboy. As the novel progresses, Ponyboy grows to understand Bob’s background and reasons for being a violent troublemaker.

Randy Adderson

Randy is Bob’s best friend and was also a part of the attack on Ponyboy and Johnny. After Bob’s death, Randy reflects on the conditions of the gangs and attempts to help Ponyboy in bringing the two gangs closer.

Sandy

A girl in the Greaser gang, Sandy breaks Sodapop’s heart by rejecting his marriage proposal and moving to Florida to have a baby that is not his.

Jerry Wood

Jerry is an elementary school teacher who believes in Ponyboy and encourages him to see himself in a positive light. He is thankful for Ponyboy’s and Johnny’s courage in saving his young students from the church fire.