THE OUTSIDERSCharacter Analysis: Jr. Sodapop Patrick Curtis

INTRODUCTION

2nd of 3 (Darry, Soda, Ponyboy)

pic: farthest right

sixteen-going-on-seventeen

greaser

lost parents (car accident)

dropout; works at gas station

PHYSICAL FEATURES

“Soda is movie-star kind of handsome, the kind that people stop on the street to watch go by.” (p.7)

“quite slim, finely drawn, sensitive face” (p.7)

dark gold hair (long, silky, straight) (p.7)

dark-brown eyes (lively, dancing, laughing eyes that were gentle and sympathetic one moment and blazing with anger the next) (p.7)

PERSONALITY & ATTRIBUTES

UNDERSTANDING & DEPENDABLE

Throughout the entire novel, Soda is depicted to Ponyboy as his *favorite* person to be with - it is not difficult to see that Ponyboy strongly admires and endears Sodapop. Ponyboy is a character with strong individuality, and sometimes he does not fit in with the other members of the gang. Perhaps it is because of his dreamy character or because he is the youngest member of the gang... whatever the reason, most of the gang finds it difficult to be with Ponyboy.

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CONTINUED

However, Sodapop can easily be/talk with Ponyboy. Soda always lends an ear to his younger brother when he needs help, and, most of all, is able to “understand” Ponyboy’s situation and emotions. This is what makes Soda such an attractive character to everyone; he can relate to people easily and share ideas with them because of his deep levels of understanding. People can confide in him easily and “talk things out,” as Ponyboy always describes it.

UNDERSTANDING & DEPENDABLE

understands the perspectives of both Ponyboy and Darry

“Leave my kid brother alone, you hear? It ain’t his fault he likes to go to the movies, and it ain’t his fault the Socs like to jump us, and if he had been carrying a blade it would have been a good excuse to cut him ribbons.” (p.13)

“It’d be a lot easier if I could, but I see both sides.” (p. 175)

“Darry yells too much and tries too hard and takes everything too serious, and Ponyboy, you don’t realize all Darry’s giving up just to give you a chance he missed it on.” (p. 176)

“When Darry hollers at you, he don’t mean nothing. He’s just got more worries than somebody his age ought to.” (p. 17)

Details

UNDERSTANDING & DEPENDABLE

respects his younger brother and doesn’t degrade him as a “kid”

“Soda doesn’t think I’m a kid,” (p.9)

“He’s never hollering at me all the time the way Darry is.” (p.2)

always has an open ear, willing to listen to others

“I had Sodapop to talk things over with.” (p.42)

“He would always listen to me, no matter what he was doing.” (p.174)

“He understands everything, almost.” (p.2)

CARING

Sodapop is very caring of the people he loves. To Ponyboy, especially, he acts like a mother (he is very protective of his younger brother). When Ponyboy is either ill or gone somewhere without notice, Soda can’t sleep well - in fact, he usually stays up all night. During times when Ponyboy is suffering on bed, he stays next to him, looks after him for any signs of improvement, helps Pony take off his shoes and clothes, and makes sure Ponyboy is not cold.

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CARING

very considerate of Ponyboy’s feelings

makes sure he doesn’t get hurt by Darry’s remarks

supports Pony like a mother

sits at the bedpost when Ponyboy is sick (p. 155)

takes off Ponyboy’s shoes and clothes off for his comfort (p. 104)

Deatils

CARING

always worries about Ponyboy and stays up when Pony’s hurt or in danger

“He cried every night that week you were gone,” (p.174)

hardly got any sleep when Ponyboy was hurt after the rumble

after Pony comes back from church: “he didn’t get much sleep this week, he hardly slept at all.” (p. 102)

EMOTIONAL

In contrast with most other members of the gang, Soda is very emotional. Other boys, including people like Two-Bit, Dally, or Darry, have a hard heart, at least on the surface. However, it is easy to see that Soda’s inside is very soft - by the way he attaches to his horse, we can see that Soda gains affection very easily. Along with this, whenever Soda feels deep sorrow, he cries out and bawls (and this is, although other boys may not know, quite often, if you were to look at him as a family member).

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EMOTIONAL

cries very often

“Soda had broken down and bawled like a baby.” (p.98)

“Soda gave me a tearful grin - ‘One bawl baby in the family’s enough.’” (p.176)

very affectionate (and easily attaches to others)

“Soda had bawled all night long after they came and got Mickey Mouse.” (p.40)

“will ya, honey?” (p. 155)

“Soda punched him in the ribs affectionately.” (p. 135)

Details

GOOD-NATURED & POSITIVE

Sodapop is well known for his good humor and good mood. This easy-going character allows him to appeal to everyone. Not only is he constantly grinning with his glowing eyes, he has the ability to make witty jokes at appropriate times to make other people grin with him. His continuous chatter allows him to be very outgoing, and he is good at breaking tense atmospheres. (acts as a oil between rusty machines, esp. between his two brothers)

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GOOD-NATURED & POSITIVE

always happy-going and smiling

“He’s always happy-go-lucky and grinning,” (p.2)

“his eyes are always laughing, carefree, and reckless.” (p.160)

very talkative

“most of time you can’t shut him up” (p.173)

makes other people happy

“Soda can make you grin no matter what.” (p.8)

“Soda can make anyone grin.” (p. 101)

has the ability to persuade people and appeal to people in a positive way; a good aura around him at all times, probably due to his constant grinning and carefree ways of communication

Details

ACTIVE AND HYPER

Always being hyper and excited (even without the help of alcohol), Sodapop is always springy and ready to run. This tendency of him to consistently move around is also shown in how he doesn’t like to have his shoes from confining his movements within the house. When he is asked why he like rumbles, Soda answers that he does it for “fun” and that he enjoys the “action.”

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ACTIVE AND HYPER

very hyper, cannot sit still for long

“Soda just can’t sit still long enough to enjoy a movie” (p.3)

likes to ride on horseback - attached to rodeos

“Sodapop is horsecrazy.” (p.39)

likes anything that involves action (thinks it’s fun)

“It’s action. It’s a contest. Like a drag race or a dance or something.” (p. 133)

Details

SOOTHING

Sodapop can adjust himself very appropriately according to situations - he is especially good at this when he sees someone in pain or distress. He is good at managing the tender, delicate side of his character - he softly talks to the person by using alleviating words, and knows how to take care of vulnerable people like Johnny and Ponyboy.

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SOOTHING

always first to help out when somebody is hurt

“Soda reached him first.” (p.32)

knows what to say to soothe people; gentle / soft

“Easy, buddy, easy,” he said softly.” (p.154)

“stroked my hair,” “oddly gentle” (p.155)

“Johnnycake,” he said gently. “Don’t talk, you’re gonna be okay.” (p.33)

uses words like ‘honey’

Details

FRANK

Unlike all other boys that appear in the book, Sodapop has never tried to make himself look tough. That ‘fakeness’ is not a trait that he is interested in; he doesn’t make a big deal in trying to grow muscles, fighting with other people, carrying around a knife, etc. that other members of the gang do to make themselves look ‘tuff.’ He stays true to his heart, and does not hesitate to reveal his emotions, even ones that are usually hidden, such as sorrow and love.

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HONEST

not ashamed about having dropped out

“Cause I’m dumb.” (p.17)

“I dropped out because I’m dumb.” (p.176)

always expresses his emotions, unlike most other members of the gang

love: “he smiled happily. ‘It’s real nice.’” (p.18)

sadness: “Soda made a funny noise and looked like he was about to start crying.” (p.152)

Details

LOVED

Sodapop is loved by many, not only because of his good looks, but because of his good nature. If Soda had either one of these absent, he would not have been as loved as he is with both of the traits. He attracts both greasers and Socs, and most boys (greasers) find him easy going and cool to be with.

*He is also fun to be with: refer to slides below.

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LOVED

loved by nearly everyone

“He likes Soda - everyone likes Soda” (p.42)

even Socs feel attracted to Sodapop

“Man, your brother is one doll.” (p.23) - Cherry

“there is usually a bunch of girls down there flirting with Soda - all kinds of girls, Socs, too.” (p.31)

nice physical features add onto good nature

he is loved not only because of his handsome physical features, but because of the combination of his good personality - his easy going nature and gayness

he likes getting attention; for instance, in the hospital, he “was getting a kick out of the whole incident’ (p. 101); he was excited by the numerous photographers swarming around / admiring his beauty

Details

FUN TO BE WITH

always tries to do something “different” in an extraordinary way

“green pancakes.” “you’re never bored.” (p. 173)

likes to play around

“trying to get the ace out of his shoe without Steve seeing him” (p.134)

likes to joke around teasingly, has good humor

“he looked down at me with mock superiority” (p. 135)

“You figgering’ on growin a beard for the rumble?” (p. 132)

Details

NOT ACADEMICALLY BRIGHT

doesn’t understand the importance of studying

“Soda had never understood why we went all-out for studying.” (p. 159)

he tries, but his effort doesn’t show off

“The only things I was passing anyway were auto mechanics and gym.” (p. 17)

“I really did try in school, but you saw my grades.” (p. 176)

bad spelling

selfves - “he could improve his spelling” (p. 82)

Details

PERSONAL PREFERENCES

doesn’t drink alcohol at all

“Soda never touches a drop.” (p.8) because he is always so high and hyper

very different from most of gang / most of the boys from the town

smokes VERY rarely

“He hardly ever smokes, except when sth is really bugging him.” (p.172)

Details

MORALS

ENJOY LIFE

Sodapop consistently sends the readers a message that there is more to life than just studying. He is a high school dropout - to some people, this is their “complex” and “weak point.” However, Soda exposes this fact without any hesitation, and moreover expresses that his life is enjoyable even without all the studying. He likes his job at the gas station and feels proud that he is supporting his brothers in one way or another, and is satisfied with the small everyday happenings that make him laugh (he is very grateful about small things).

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IN SHORT...

He believes that, instead of dragging onto things he cannot and will not have, he should try to look at the good sides of what he already has.

STANDING UP FOR HIS FAMILY

Sodapop believes it is important to support his family, especially his younger brother (since he is more immature and vulnerable to getting hurt by harsh remarks). Although sometimes it may have been Ponyboy’s fault, he sticks up for Pony in front of Darry. Whenever Darry shouts at Ponyboy (usually scolding him about coming in late, not doing his work, etc.), he stands up for Ponyboy and defends him from further yelling.