Dear Ponyboy

*Authors Note: This is a letter I wrote to Ponyboy on how he behaved in the story and why I think he behaved like that*
Ponyboy,

          I can see you going far in life. It may not be in academics or getting one of the top careers out there, but you are a hero. You are trustworthy, caring, and willing to put others before yourself, even if it puts you in dangerous situations, and being that way will take you places. The gang can always count on you to have their back, even the ones you don’t get along with that well.  Being a great person might not get you into college, but it can sure get you other places. I picture you keeping all of your friends to the very end, being smart but misjudged, and having a big family that will never say “I hate you.”

                From only reading six chapters I can already tell your family and gang is your main priority. No matter what they do, whatever crime they commit, you will always be there for them. They know it, too, and to be honest I think they kind of take advantage of it.  Johnny killed someone, KILLED someone, and you ran away with him, even though it risked you to get in humongous trouble with the police. If you would have just stayed home, and not joined Johnny on the road to danger, you wouldn’t have had to cut and bleach your hair, you could have told the police the story. Help Johnny, even. Since you joined him though, being his buddy and all, you now have to go to court and the idea of you and Sodapop being sent to a boys home seems more real by the minute.

                While reading, I came across a something you said that made me think “Things are rough all over, but it’s better that way. That way you can tell that the other guy was human too.” I t made me think about how I see people, if I think of them as that way also. I don’t, I’m judgmental, I judge a book by its cover. Maybe it’s because I don’t get along with people all that well or maybe because I get jealous of people, but I’m mean. I see a girl who dresses in short skirts and tight shirts, and automatically think the worst of them. Or the people at my school, I hate a lot of the people here, and maybe I should start giving people a chance.

                All in all, you changed the way I see some things, and I think you changed too. You grew as a person, becoming more realistic and less naïve.  I hope you go as far as I think you will, Ponyboy, good luck. As Johnny would say, stay gold Ponyboy, stay gold.

Sincerely,

Abbi