A journey across the country could sure be long if you did not have the right companion for the trip. If I could choose someone completely random to accompany me, I would choose the character Pony Boy from my favorite novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I chose Pony Boy because throughout the car ride he would keep me entertained. Pony Boy has gone through a hard life; his parents died when he was young, and his two older brothers, Soda Pop and Darryl, have raised him. He enjoys writing as well as going out with the gang. He, his brothers and friends are a part of The “Greasers.” The rival gang is from the rich side of town, they are the “Socs.” This gang ultimately forces one of Pony’s friends, Johnny, to kill a Soc in defense of Pony. I chose Pony Boy to come with me because despite reading the book, The Outsiders countless times, I still want to know more about him.
The plot of this story consists of Pony Boy and his friend Johnny escaping from the scene of a murder. They take refuge in an abandoned church in the countryside; so afraid of being found they cut and dye their beloved hair. Reading about the two boys together in this church, with nothing to do except read and talk, shows what my car ride would be like with Pony Boy. Unfortunately, one day when Pony and Johnny leave the safety of the church, a class of students goes on a field trip to it. Either Johnny or Pony left a cigarette burning and the entire church ignites into flames. Pony, having the morals he does, can’t help but to run into the burning building to save the kids. He is successful, and is called a hero for it. It seems like Pony actually wants more from life than the rest of his gang members. Most of them dropped out of school and spend their time doing criminal activities. Pony rejects that path for his life. Instead, he always searches for the good in people or places. Driving across the country I would trust him to tell me where to stop, what we should do, and how we should do it.
Pony and I seem to have a lot of common interests. Although I am not part of any gang, I have been raised in a quite stable suburb compared to the tumultuous inner city where Pony grew up. The main thing we have in common is our moral compass. Pony is always very polite, regardless of his friend’s behaviors. He only breaks the rules occasionally because he cannot afford not to. Pony is still an innocent kid at heart, and wants to stay that way; his favorite poem is Stay Gold by Robert Frost. This poem celebrates the wonder of youth and laments how hard it is to maintain one’s youthful enthusiasm and zest for life. While Pony and I made our way toward California we would debate and explore the interpretation of Frost’s poem.
One of my favorite relationships in any book I have read was between Pony Boy and a girl named Cherry Valence. The relationship caught my attention because of the economic differences between the two people. Pony Boy was very poor and from the Greaser’s side of town. Cherry, was very rich and from the Soc’s side of town. Many novels and films display a relationship similar to this, but this is one is complicated by the long-standing hatred between Greasers and Socs. During our car ride I would ask Pony more about his relationship with Cherry, to grasp it deeper than the novel allows.
Anyone who doesn’t bring me down is welcome to be a part of my life. That is my code.
Although Pony has no money or power he still opens my eyes and allows me to see just how great the world truly is. While I embark on my journey across the country I know that his gift would enhance the trip. Otherwise, I might drive the entire way, passing by things that have the ability to change my life. One normally doesn’t notice these things unless looking for them; with Pony by my side I know we would be looking for them.
Pony and I would conquer this trip. Together we would see the most magnificent views and meet the greatest people. I would learn more about the characters in my favorite novel and Pony would learn more about his fans through me. When we arrived in California I would leave Pony, with a mindset similar to Robert Frost. “Natures first green is gold, its hardest hue to hold.” (Robert Frost). I hope that on this drive I recapture my first green, and learn to hold it as well as Pony Boy does.