The Theme of Brotherhood

The bond between the Curtis brothers deepens as they learn to support each other, culminating in a promise to stay together.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Initial Disconnect

Brothers at Odds Ponyboy's Feeling Ponyboy feels that Darry does not love him. He thinks Darry sees him as a burden. He is closer to Sodapop, who understands him. Darry's Pressure Darry is strict and demanding. He wants Ponyboy to succeed, but his methods seem harsh. Ponyboy resents it. Sodapop as Mediator Sodapop tries to keep the peace. He tells Ponyboy that Darry is just worried. But Ponyboy does not believe him. The family is fractured.

The Reconciliation

A Breakthrough The Hospital When Darry sees Ponyboy in the hospital, he breaks down. He cries and hugs him. Ponyboy realizes that Darry's love was there all along. The Apology Ponyboy apologizes for running away. Darry says he is sorry for hitting him. They embrace. The wall between them comes down. A New Understanding Ponyboy understands that Darry's strictness is born of fear. He is afraid of losing his family. The brothers begin to see each other as allies.

The Promise to Stay Together

United Sodapop's Plea After the fight, Sodapop runs away. Darry and Ponyboy chase him. He tells them they are tearing him apart. They promise to stop fighting. The Race Home The three brothers run home together. They are united. They have learned that they need each other. The Final Message The novel ends with the idea that family is the most important thing. The Curtis brothers will stick together, no matter what. They are all they have left.

early in the story, Chapter 1

the day of the church fire, Chapter 6

the end of the novel, Chapter 12