Ponyboy Curtis doesn't have a giant pair of scissors to cut a symbolic ribbon. He doesn't get the key to a city at the end of Outsiders, by SE Hinton. Ponyboy doesn't gain superhuman qualities but he's still the hero of the greasers. Ponyboy is self-motivated and doesn't need anyone else's sympathy or his own. Not only is Ponyboy self-motivated, but he also constantly thinks about the plague spreaders, his friends, and his family and discovers more and more truths about each; Ponyboy is better informed about the source of the problems and knows better what he should do for everyone else. Ponyboy is a hero in an underrated way; it is inspiring, thoughtful and “dreamy” as Cherry comments. When Ponyboy and Johnny get stuck in the old church, the two witness the sunset. Ponyboy recites the poem Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost. (77) He and Johnny discuss the importance of nature's “gold”. They come to some conclusions and Ponyboy shows some of his growth through communication. Ponyboy is seen as “the smart one” ( ). Ponyboy sees things in a fantasy world and is a little naive, but he believes. When he and Cherry talk about the sunset, he's dreamy, he's artistic. When he and Cherry talk: “'And when I remained silent, she egged me on. «Is he as wild and reckless as Soda? Dreamy, like you?" (42) combined with the quote: “I would. I'd help both her and Randy if I could. 'Hey,' I suddenly said, 'can you see the sunset really good from the west side?' ” he helps her see the similarities and addresses everyone in this way. Ponyboy reaches out to others in his own way of learning from his favorite words and ideas. Even if this seems trivial or just a coincidence, Ponyboy thinks of his.. . middle of paper…drunk, rode rodeos, lied, cheated, stole, rolled around drunk, jumped little kids…he did it all.” () In the end, Dallas Winston is shown to be weaker than he seems, and to have more than one heart, but he still makes the mistake of thinking it's okay to hurt someone who isn't family.. Another example of a The gallant but flawed hero is Johnny. Johnny is brave and decides to do the right thing but he has already killed someone. Darry tries to be his best, but can't help but be rude, incomprehensible, and misunderstood. Cherry Valance helps the plague spreaders and tries her best to help her side as well, but she makes the mistake of worrying too much about what others might think. He only helps the spreaders when he can act in the shadows or behind the backs of the Socs. Ponyboy doesn't need to do any of this and is still the best for everyone.