Johnny's Redemption

Molly Walsh

Post 4 (for The Outsiders)

January 15, 2012

            Redemption is something that stroke a strong chord with me in chapters 5-8 of The Outsiders.  When the boys skipped town after the altercation with the Socs, they sought refuge in an abandoned church in the country.  They camped out there for a while hoping no one would find them.  In that church, we got to know Ponyboy and Johnny better.  They talked about Pony’s family, and as that happened, it was obvious that Johnny wanted what Pony had with his brothers.  As Pony recited the Robert Frost poem, Nothing Gold Can Stay, we were able to see how relevant that poem was.  Pony never knew what that poem meant, but it talked about being innocent and how nothing can be innocent forever.  Even though Johnny killed someone and was on the run with Ponyboy, they were still kids and I definitely believe that there was still good inside of them.  I was reassured of my belief when the church was on fire and Johnny, Pony, and Dally went to go save the children who were trapped.    

            The boys could have just kept driving by, but they knew they were the cause of the fire.  That is a part of what made them decide to take responsibility for their actions and go back into the church to save the children, even if that meant risking their lives.  That was a very important and powerful moment in the book.  It just showed how even if someone made a mistake and did something wrong, it is never too late for someone to redeem themselves.  Sadly, though, Johnny did not get out of the chapel unscathed.  But that was because he sacrificed himself to save Pony.  That was a selfless move on Johnny’s part.  It showed that just because he made some sucky mistakes, he could help make right what he did wrong.   Even though he was in the hospital for a while, he sadly did not survive.  I heard that in older and classical books and movies, the person who did bad things usually died after redeeming themselves to pay for their actions.  It seemed that it was the case for Johnny.  He saved the children and Ponyboy, but in the end he sacrificed himself.  But in a way it was better for him to save people and go out doing good, rather than just sitting in a jail cell his whole life.  At least he was able to face his sins and gain in a way gained just a little bit of absolution for what he did.