character+story+PM

Marissa Phillian December.15.14

When most kids lose one of their parents ,much less two, they become depress, block themselves out from the real world, or even give up on life which can lead to suicide. Darryl Curtis, also known as darry, is the oldest out of his two brothers,soda pop and pony-boy. They lost their parents at a young age and that would change darry's life forever. Instead of putting his brothers in a boys home he was around sixteen and decided to keep them, and raise them on his own. He decided at the age of sixteen to take the role of his parents. Darry is a protective, responsible and selfless man.

Darry has become very protective since his parents died and has been a leader to his brothers since. Sometimes you have to set boundaries in order to keep the youngest ones safe, and that's just what darry did. One night pony fell asleep in the lot and when he woke up and he immediately returned home. Pony had no reason or good excuse for not coming home at a decent hour. When pony got home, pony tried to explain himself, but darry in response said "I reckon it never occur to you that your brothers might be worrying their heads off and afraid to call the police because that could get you boys in a boys home so quickly your heads gonna spin (pg.50).Darry is different from most other brothers, most brothers wouldn't care if their youngest brother follows behind them when their doing something wrong, or does not care what time they get home or who they hang out with. Darry on the other hand is different because he wants his brother to study, or do his homework before he goes to bed or goes out with the gang, he wants him to go to college and graduate. Darry doesn't want to see pony locked up or not graduate high school, or not be able to take care of himself which is why he is always on pony. Which is why when pony yelled at darry out of anger on accident darry push pony and pony ran away.

Some young men are not responsible at young age because they rely on their moms or dads. Darry is different, after his parents passed away he wanted to keep his brothers instead of putting them in a boys home. He cares about his brothers so much that he put a roof over their head, provides food, and works to save up for Pony's education. Pony even states in the story, "My oldest brother Darrel, who we call Darry, works too long and hard." (pg. 2). Most boys wouldn't take the high road, they would take the easy road. Darry took the high road, dropped out of high school, got a job, pays the bills, and has a truck for transportation. He does so much for his family and has grown up so fast to take care of others. A lot of people could look to him as a role model.

Have you ever met a boy who is selfless? Darry is selfless, he works to makes ends meet, and he even dropped out of high school to help them get on their feet, and give Pony a good college education. Darry's brother, Soda, even said, "You don't realize all that Darry is giving up to give you a chance he missed out on. He could of stuck you in a home somewhere and worked his way through college." (pg. 175- 176) He could have easily put Pony in a boys home but, instead he decided that he would give Pony the chance at a somewhat normal life.

So even though Darry lost his parents, he took charge and did not put his brothers in a boys home. He took the role of his parents, instead of playing the victim or blocking everyone out of his life. Yes, he can be mean to his brothers at times and it may seem like he doesn't care but he does care more then they could ever know. If he didn't then he wouldn't have given them the chance of life.