THE OUTSIDERS
Character 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
Narrative
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.
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.
Details
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)
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)
Narrative
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.
Deatils
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)
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)
Narrative
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).
Details
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)
Narrative
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)
Details
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
Narrative
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.”
Details
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)
Narrative
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.
Details
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’
Narrative
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.
Details
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)
Narrative
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.
Details
LOVED
loved by nearly everyone
“He likes Soda - everyone likes Soda” (p.42)
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
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
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)
MORALS
Narrative
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).
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.