In The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton, a character named Johnny is a very important friend to his gang. Johnny is a great character to choose because he plays a large role in the lives of the people around him. Johnny is an uncommon person to find. He has characteristics that are hard to discover in someone, especially a guy. Readers will identify this because his personality traits are unique and is easily likeable. This book is well written. In a way it is relatable because everyone has their friends that they hang out with, like the gang. They stick together and stand up for each other but there is always someone who seems to not like everyone but still may need them in their group. Maybe only for rides to hockey practice or to help fight in a rumble like in the book. They seem to like each other in the end though, they might not admit it to anyone, or even themselves but at the end of the day they like and need each other. At the start of the novel, Johnny is scared at so many things. He is one of those boys who “jumped at their own shadows.” (Hinton, 179) The Socs ganged up on him and beat him up. “Soda reached him first. Johnny was lying face down on the ground. Soda turned him over gently, and I nearly got sick. Someone had beaten him badly. We were used to seeing Johnny banged up- his father clobbered him around a lot, and although it made us madder than heck, we couldn't do anything about it. But those beatings had been nothing like this. Johnny's face was cut up and bruised and swollen, and there was a wide gash from his temple to his cheekbone. He would carry that scar all his life. His white T-shirt was splattered with blood. I just stood there, trembling with sudden cold. I thought he might be dead; surely nobody could be beaten like that and live.” (Hinton, 32) Ever since that experience he was frightened that it wouldn't be the last time the Socs came after him. This is portrayed many times in the novel. “We were all four sitting there in silence when suddenly a strong hand came down on Johnny's shoulder and another on mine and in a deep voice said, “Okay Greasers, you've had it.” I almost jumped out of my skin. It was like having someone leap out from behind a door and yell “Boo!” at you. I looked fearfully over my shoulder and there was Two-Bit, grinning like a Chessy cat. “Glory, Two-Bit, scare us to death!” He was good at voice imitations and had sounded for all the world like a snarling Soc. Then I looked at Johnny. His eyes were were shut and he was as white as a ghost. His breath was coming in smothered gasps.” (Hinton, 27) While Ponyboy was very frightened, Johnny looked very sick and as if he were wishing it were a dream and wanting to wake up. An other time when Johnny is scared is when he, and a few members of the gang went to the movies with Cherry and Marcia, and their boyfriends show up. “Johnny was breathing heavily and I noticed he was staring at the Socs hand. He was wearing three heavy rings. I looked quickly at Johnny, an idea dawning on me. I remembered it was a blue Mustang that had pulled up beside the vacant lot and that Johnny's face had been cut up by someone wearing rings...” (Hinton, 44) Johnny is scared and has his guard up when the Socs appear because he is remembering when he was badly beaten up them. He sees the rings on Bob's fingers and knows he was the one who cut up his face. He is fearful and is trying to blend in with the gang so they don't go after him again. Later on in the novel, after Johnny is in the hospital; Two-Bit and Ponyboy come to see him. Two-Bit goes off to get some hair grease and a copy of Gone with the Wind. Johnny tells Ponyboy he is 'scared stiff” about dying. (Hinton, 121) Johnny has realized that there is lots of good things in the world and there was lots he hadn't of done or got to see. Johnny tells Ponyboy that because he wants him to live a good life while he can and not find out the hard way like he had too. By the middle until the end of the book readers will discover that Johnny isn't really frightful anymore anymore. Johnny is brave. He always would maybe have some fear, but doesn't make it completely obvious. “Leave her alone, Dally.” “Huh?” Dally was taken off guard. He stared at Johnny in disbelief, Johnny couldn't say “Boo” to a goose. Johnny gulped and got a little pale, but he said, “You heard me. Leave her alone.” (Hinton, 24) Johnny shows that he is somewhat afraid that Dally might loose his temper but he might as well tell him off because if he doesn't, nobody will. Johnny is the only one who can say that to Dally because he is the “gang's pet.” (Hinton, 12) Dally couldn’t hurt him no matter what. An other time time Johnny proves that he is brave is when he saves the kids from the burning church. It is a very noble and heroic thing to do. “Hey Ponyboy.” I looked around, startled. I hadn't realized Johnny had been behind right behind me all the way.” (Hinton, 91/92) While some people- like the school teachers around, would have panicked and done nothing to save the children, Johnny and Ponyboy took action. They showed great bravery by not only saving the children, but by risking their own lives to help others. They let nothing stand in their way, not the man trying to convince them to stop, or the child bit Ponyboy. Both had kept going until all the kids were safe. They also did it not for the credit, or the fame, or even to help themselves from the trouble they were in with the police because of killing Bob. They did it because they wanted to and had the bravery. Once Johnny is realizing he's dying, he is not at all okay with it. Then he gets used to the idea that he's not going to be able to do some of the things he wished he did. “The doctor came in a while ago but I knew anyway. I kept getting tireder and tireder. Listen, I don't mind dying now. It's worth it. It's worth saving those kids. Their lives are worth more than mine, they have more to live for.” (Hinton, 178) Johnny is very brave and accepting to this. Most people, being put in the situation, couldn't be brave about it. They would be fearful and depressed. Johnny chooses to make it easier by being brave. Throughout the entire novel, Johnny always proves to be a good friend. No matter how serious or terrible the situation is, he is always there. “He had never been a coward. He was a good man in a rumble. He stuck up for the gang and kept his mouth shut around cops.” (Hinton, 34) Johnny is trust worthy and loyal to the gang. He is always there to help. After, when Johnny and Ponyboy are watching the sunrise, Ponyboy is talking to him and Johnny wants to know exactly what he is saying. After Ponyboy recites the poem to Johnny, He wants to know where he heard that and all about it. “Johnny was staring at me. “Where'd you learn that?” He cares about what Ponyboy is telling him. He wants to be a good friend, and is being one. Much later in then novel, almost at the very ending; Johnny proves once again that he is a good friend. Johnny gets the nurse to give Ponyboy the book. “Ponyboy, I asked the nurse to give you this book so you could finish it.” (Hinton, 178) He wants him to finish the book and always remember him. He also wants Ponyboy to read the letter he wrote him. He cares about him and wants him to stay the same, no matter what life hands him. All of Johnny's traits are portrayed multiple times in the book. How he is scared at first, but becomes brave. Also how he is a really good friend. In the novel when Johnny is frightened lots, he may teach the readers that sometimes you need to have real feelings to help others. When Johnny is brave he presents that you can be a hero no matter who you are, or where you come from. Johnny; being the good friend he is, and sending Ponyboy the letter, teaches the audience that life is a fragile thing and you only get one chance at it so do what you to do because you never know when your time is going to run out and you haven't done enough to accept it. This is why the gang needed Johnny, and these are what makes Johnny such a great character.