CharacterAnalysisWritingSS15

Character Analysis Prewriting: Great Starter: When Darry from //The Outsiders// comes to your mind, what do you think of? Thesis Statement: Darry's most remarkable attributes are that he's selfless, protective, and caring. Body Paragraph #1: Selfless Body Paragraph #2: Protective Body Paragraph #3: Caring Great Finisher: These traits prove that Darry isn't just a great brother, but will someday be a great father.

First Draft: When Darry from //The Outsiders// by S.E. Hinton comes to your mind, what do you think of? Many people have ongoing lists of what they think Darry is like, but overall, there are three that stick out the most. We experience These while reading the story through what Darry says and does, as well as what other people think about him. Thus, Darry's most remarkable attributes are that he is protective, selfless, and caring.

Throughout the book, we encounter Darry acting protective towards his younger brother, Pony. Usually, a parent would be protective and strict towards a child, but since the Curtis brothers' parents are dead, Darry plays the role as a father. Darry is quite protective, in fact, he doesn't let Ponyboy out of the house on weekdays, except for school, and sets a curfew for him every night, even on weekends. Darry always has to know where Ponyboy is, and who he's with. One time, when Pony came home at 2 a.m. in the morning, Darry stated, "Where the heck have you been? Do you know what time it is?" (Hinton, 49) Any parent would act this way, but Darrell isn't just protective in this part of the book. Darry also has concerns about Ponyboy walking alone, fighting in rumbles, and getting into trouble. Even though Darrel Curtis may seem like an upset, overworked, older brother who always finds a way to holler at his "kid brother", he is quite a selfless and caring person.

Throughout the book, Darrel Curtis portrays his given attribute of being selfless. When you think of a selfless person, careless comes to your mind, but Darry is the type of selfless that prioritizes others before himself. In //The Outsiders//, Darry is always working to keep Ponyboy and Soda out of a boy's home, which would be likely to happen after the death of their parents. Darry even gave up going to college to take care of his brothers. Sodapop Curtis, Darry's brother, even acknowledges this when he says, "He could have stuck you in a home somewhere and worked his way through college." (Hinton, 176) This credits to the fact that Darry is a selfless person, and chose to better the life of his peers instead of himself. While being selfless, Darry can also be caring, which reflects on his other two attributes.

When someone cares about you, it reflects on your persona. Darrel Curtis does this, but not all of it necessarily reflects on Pony and Soda in a good way. Pony and Soda both smoke and act like hoods (nothing compared to the Shepard Outfit, a greaser gang led by Tim Shepard), and use cuss words. They both also have some good attributes that have a positive resemblance of Darrel's care. The fact that Ponyboy is a boy with good morals, studies, and is an exceptional athlete that chooses to hang out with people similar (ex. Johnny, Two-Bit, Sodapop, etc.) to him reflects all on Darry. Pony even states, "Darry is a good guardian; he makes me study and knows where I am and who I'm with all the time." (Hinton, 165) If Darrel didn't care about Pony, he'd be an up-to-no-good hood that has terrible grades and hangs out with hoods, as well as a person that commits serious crimes. Darry doesn't let average slide, he wants the absolute best from his brothers. He cares about Pony and wants the best for him, by being caring, protective, and selfless.

Darry's most remarkable traits are that he's selfless, protective, and caring. We see this through Darry's attitude, and the way Pony, Soda, and other characters think of him. Darry may not be the best guardian, but is a great father-figure for Ponyboy and Sodapop Curtis. He proves that he isn't just a great brother, but might be a great father someday.