has a criminal record in New York; is very tough and mean, but has a soft spot for Johnny
"You'd better wise up, Pony. . .you get tough like me and you don't get hurt. You look out for yourself and nothin' can touch you. . ."
Ponyboy
enjoys movies, books, is an excellent student; close to Soda but not Darry; is the narrator of the book
"Sometimes we get along okay, then all of a sudden he blows up on me or else is naggin' at me all the time. He didn't use to be like that. . .we used to get along okay. . .before Mom and Dad died."
Two-Bit
life is a joke to him; always smarting off to the police; likes fighting, blondes, and shoplifting
"Shut your mouth, kid. If you wasn't Soda's kid brother, I'd beat the tar out of you. You know better than to talk to Johnny like that."
Darry
the "father figure", always pushing Ponyboy; very physical and athletic
"Oh, Pony, I thought we'd lost you. . .like we did Mom and Dad. . ."
Johnny
small, nervous, quiet, sensitive, Gang's pet, abused by parents and beat up by Socs
"I think I like it better when the old man's hittin' me. At least then I know he knows who I am."
Sodapop
"mother figure", movie-star handsome, happy-go-lucky; dropped out of school; in love with Sandy; loved Mickey Mouse
"Listen, kiddo, when Darry hollers at you. . .he don't mean nothin'. He's just got more worries than somebody his age ought to. He's really proud of you 'cause you're so brainy."
Cherry
young, pretty, popular Soc girl
"That's like saying all you greasers are like Dallas Winston. I'll bet he's jumped a few people. Things are rough all over."
Bob
Soc boy, Cherry's boyfried
"You know what a greaser is? White trash with long hair."
Randy
Bob's best friend
"He's dead--his mother has had a nervous breakdown. They spoiled him rotten. They gave in to him all the time. He kept trying to make someone say 'No' and they never did."
Marcia
Cherry's friend
"We're really Arabian slave traders and we're thinking about shanghaiing them. They're worth ten camels apiece at least."
