The Theme of Memory and Grief

The characters grapple with the memory of the dead and the process of grieving, learning to carry their loved ones with them.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Ponyboy's Denial

Refusing to Accept The Walk Home After Johnny's death, Ponyboy walks home in a daze. He tells himself that Johnny is not dead, that he is just asleep in the lot. He cannot accept the reality. The Dream State Ponyboy falls into a state of denial. He loses track of time and almost gets hit by a car. His mind cannot process the loss. The Collapse He collapses after Dally's death. His body and mind shut down. The grief is too much. He is sick for days.

The Healing Process

Coming to Terms The Letter Reading Johnny's letter helps Ponyboy begin to heal. Johnny's words remind him that there is still good in the world. He decides to honor Johnny's memory. The Dream Ponyboy still has nightmares, but he is learning to cope. He talks to his brothers. He starts to eat again. Writing as Therapy Writing the theme is a way to process grief. Ponyboy transforms his pain into a story. He keeps Johnny and Dally alive through his words.

Carrying the Memory

Living with Loss The Final Lines Ponyboy begins his theme with the same words as the novel. The circular structure suggests that the story is a way of holding onto the past. The Legacy Johnny and Dally live on in Ponyboy's memory. He will tell their story. He will stay gold for them. Acceptance Grief does not disappear, but it becomes bearable. Ponyboy has accepted the deaths and chosen to move forward. The novel ends with the beginning of a new chapter.

after the deaths, Chapter 10

the week of recovery, Chapters 11-12

the end of the novel, Chapter 12