what does ponyboy want to control

3 min read 11-03-2025

What Does Ponyboy Curtis Want to Control? A Look into the Heart of S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders

Ponyboy Curtis, the protagonist of S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders, is a young man grappling with a world beyond his control. While he might not explicitly state a desire to control specific things in the same way an adult might, his actions and internal monologue reveal a deep yearning for control in several key areas of his life. This article delves into what Ponyboy truly desires to control, and how his attempts (or failures) to do so shape the novel's narrative.

1. Controlling His Circumstances: Escaping Poverty and Violence

Ponyboy's life is characterized by poverty and the constant threat of violence. He lives in a dilapidated house with his brothers, struggling to make ends meet. The ever-present threat of gang violence, epitomized by the ongoing conflict between the Greasers and the Socs, hangs over him. He longs to escape this precarious existence. He desperately wants to control his socioeconomic circumstances, to find a way out of the cycle of poverty and violence that seems inescapable. This desire manifests in his love of literature – a world where he can momentarily escape his reality.

2. Controlling His Identity: Defining Himself Beyond Gang Affiliation

Ponyboy's identity is inextricably linked to his Greaser status. He's defined by his gang membership, a label he sometimes chafes under. He wants to control how he's perceived, to move beyond simply being a "Greaser" and define himself on his own terms. This desire is evident in his academic pursuits and his budding friendship with Cherry Valance, a Soc. Through these avenues, he seeks to prove his worth and individuality beyond the limitations of his gang affiliation. He wants to control the narrative of his own life, rather than allowing others to define it for him.

3. Controlling His Emotions: Managing Grief and Trauma

The death of Johnny Cade deeply impacts Ponyboy. He struggles to process his grief and the trauma he's experienced. A significant part of Ponyboy's journey involves learning to control his emotional responses, especially his overwhelming feelings of guilt and loss. His writing becomes a coping mechanism, allowing him to process his emotions and exert a sense of control over his internal turmoil. This desire for emotional control is a crucial element in his journey of healing and self-discovery.

4. Controlling His Relationships: Building Meaningful Connections

Ponyboy's relationships are strained by his difficult circumstances. His brother Darrel's struggles to maintain order and provide for the family create friction. He also seeks deeper, more meaningful connections beyond his immediate family and gang. His friendships with Johnny and Dallas provide him with a sense of belonging, but these relationships are also deeply complicated by violence and loss. His desire to control these relationships – to foster intimacy and understanding – underlines much of his behavior throughout the novel.

5. Controlling His Future: Achieving Stability and Aspiration

Throughout the novel, Ponyboy demonstrates a quiet yearning for a better future. He dreams of escaping his current reality and achieving some level of stability and security. He envisions a future where he isn't defined by gang warfare and poverty. This aspiration is a fundamental aspect of his internal struggle for control, a subtle but potent driving force throughout the narrative.

In Conclusion: Ponyboy Curtis's journey is less about explicitly controlling external forces and more about gaining control over his internal world. He strives to master his emotions, define his identity, and shape his future. This internal struggle for control is what makes him such a compelling and relatable character, highlighting the universal human desire for agency and self-determination in the face of adversity. His attempts to find this control, and his eventual success in achieving a degree of it, form the heart of The Outsiders' powerful message.