Sodapop Curtis is the middle child of the three Curtis brothers in The Outsiders.
He’s known for his good looks and easy-going personality.
He dropped out of school to help support his family after his parents died.
The Outsiders Quotes With Page Numbers
Sodapop Curtis Personality Traits
Sodapop Curtis is a vibrant and charismatic character in S.E. Hinton’s seminal novel “The Outsiders.” Here is an insightful look into his character based on Hinton’s own words:
Despite dropping out of high school at sixteen, Sodapop is described as “movie star handsome, ” attracting girls like flies to honey.
He works at a local gas station and is passionate about fixing cars. To blow off steam, he enjoys racing, dancing, and fighting.
Sodapop Curtis is quick to defend those he cares about, as seen in Chapter 1, Page 13, where he stands up for his brother, Ponyboy, against their older brother, Darry.
His devotion to family becomes apparent with his protective statements, “Leave my kid brother alone, you hear? It ain’t his fault he likes to go to movies, and it ain’t his fault the Socs like to jump us.”
Ponyboy Curtis describes Sodapop as not intimidated by others and enjoys teasing them. This attribute shows that Sodapop possesses a unique level of courage and prefers to deal with conflicts through humor (Chapter 1, Page 8).
Throughout the book, Sodapop also frequently displays maturity despite his youth. He reassures Ponyboy about Darry’s harsh demeanor, explaining it’s due to the older brother’s disproportionate worries.
He also attempts to soothe Ponyboy’s hurts, showing a deep understanding of emotional intelligence (Chapter 1, Page 17).
Sodapop has a sense of responsibility beyond his years, expressing his intentions to marry his girlfriend, Sandy, once he gets a better job. However, he also shows his commitment to his family, saying he may wait until Ponyboy is out of school so he can continue to help with bills (Chapter 1, Pages 17, 18).
Chapter 1, Page 18, reveals Sodapop’s romantic nature when discussing being in love with Sandy. He describes it as ‘real nice,’ portraying an insightful and sensitive side to his otherwise tough exterior.
Despite his playful and easy-going demeanor, Sodapop can be serious when required. This is seen when he takes a stand against Darry for his desire to stick up for Ponyboy (Chapter 3, Page 50).
His care for others extends beyond his immediate family. In Chapter 5, Page 82, he sends his regards to Johnny, showing his friendly and caring nature.
Sodapop’s audacious spirit shines through when he dreams about beating the Socs and celebrating with a big party. Despite their dangerous and serious circumstances, Soda maintains optimism (Chapter 7).
In conclusion, Sodapop Curtis embodies a blend of youthful exuberance, bold courage, deep empathy, and responsibility.
He is a protective brother, a devoted family member, a loyal friend, and a romantic.
Balanced between Darry’s stubborn hard-headedness and Ponyboy’s sensitive intellect, Sodapop functions as the vibrant, harmonizing force in the Curtis family. His unique personality traits unify the brothers.
Sodapop Curtis Physical Description
Sodapop Curtis is described as the most handsome character in the novel, with movie-star-like looks. He is tall and built like his brothers but not as muscular as Darry.
Sodapop has dark-gold hair that is long, silky, straight and combed back. Ponyboy says that when the sun shines on his hair, it’s like wheat-gold. He has lively, dancing, and recklessly laughing dark brown eyes, just like his dad’s.
Sodapop’s hair is also greasy, a common trait among greasers. Overall, his physical features highlight his attractiveness and charm.
Sodapop Curtis Quotes With Page Numbers
“You’re bleedin’ like a stuck pig”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Sodapop Curtis), Chapter 1, Page 7
“Sodapop isn’t afraid of him like everyone else and enjoys teasing him”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Characters: Ponyboy Curtis as the narrator about Sodapop), Chapter 1, Page 8
“Soda was glaring at him. ‘Leave my kid brother alone, you hear? It ain’t his fault he likes to go to movies, and it ain’t his fault the Socs like to jump us, and if he had been carying a blade it would have been a good excuse to cut him to ribbons.’
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy Curtis and Sodapop Curtis), Chapter 1, Page 13
“Soda always takes up for me”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Characters: Ponyboy Curtis and Sodapop Curtis), Chapter 1, Page 13
“Soda threw one arm across my neck. He mumbled something drowsily. ‘Listen, kidd, when Darry hollers at you… he don’t mean nothing’. He’s just got more worreis than somebody his age ought to. Don’t take him serious… you dig, Pony? Don’t let him bug you. He’s real proud of you ’cause you’re so brainy. It’s just because you the baby- I mean, he loves you a lot.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Characters: Ponyboy and Sodapop Curtis), Chapter 1, Page 17
“Listen, kiddo, when Darry hollers at you … he don’t mean nothin’. He’s just got more worries than somebody his age ought to. Don’t take him serious…you dig, Pony?”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Sodapop Curtis), Chapter 1, Page 17
“I think I’m gonna marry Sandy. After she gets out of school and I get a better job and everything. I might wait till you get out of school, though. So I can still help Darry with the bills and stuff.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Sodapop Curtis), Chapter 1, Pages 17, 18
“Tuff enough. Wait till I get out, though, so you can keep Darry off my back.”
“Don’t be like that, kid. I told you he don’t mean half of what he says…”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy Curtis and Sodapop Curtis), Chapter 1, Page 18
“You in love with Sandy? What’s it like?”
“Hhhmmm.” He sighed happily. “It’s real nice.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Characters: Ponyboy Curtis and Sodapop Curtis), Chapter 1, Page 18
“In a moment his breathing was light and regular. I turned my head to look at him and in the moonlight he looked like some Greek god come to earth. I wondered how he could stand being so handsome. Then I sighed. I didn’t quite get what he meant about Darry. Darry thought I was just another mouth to feed and somebody to holler at. Darry love me? I thought of those hard, pale eyes. Soda was wrong for once, I thought. Darry doesn’t love anyone or anything, except maybe Soda. I didn’t hardly think of him as being human. I don’t care, I lied to myself, I don’t care about him either. Soda’s enough, and I’d have him until I got out of school. I don’t care about Darry. But I was still lying and I knew it. I lie to myself all the time. But I never believe me.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy Curtis about Soda), Chapter 1, Page 18
“‘Man, your brother is one doll. I might of guessed you were brothers-you look alike”‘
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Cherry Valence about Sodapop), Chapter 2, Page 23
Cherry Valance The Outsiders Quotes
“Darry…” Sodapop began, but Darry turned on him. “You keep your trap shut! I’m sick and tired of hearin’ you stick up for him.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Sodapop Curtis), Chapter 3, Page 50
“Take care and say hi to Johnny for us”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Sodapop Curtis), Chapter 5, Page 82
“‘You know what?’ Sodapop said to no one in particular. ‘When we stop the Socies good, me and Stevie here are gonna throw a big party and everybody can get stoned. Then we’ll go chase the Socs clear to Mexico.'”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Sodapop Curtis), Chapter 7, Page 111
“I am a greaser,” Sodapop chanted. “I am a JD and a hood. I blacken the name of our fair city. I beat up people. I rob gas stations. I am a menace to society. Man, do I have fun.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Sodapop Curtis), Chapter 9, Page 136
“‘You sure don’t need an amplifier,’ Soda said, and stuck is tongue at the back of Darry’s head”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Sodapop Curtis), Chapter 9, Page 137
“Soda fought for fun, Steve for hatred, Darry for pride, and Two-Bit for conformity.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Steve Randle about Sodapop), Chapter 9, Page 137
“‘He cried every night that week you were gone,’ Darry said slowly”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Characters: Darry Curtis about Sodapop), Chapter 12, Page 174-75
“I don’t know. It’s just … I can’t stand to hear y’all fight. Sometimes … I just have to get out or … it’s like I’m the middleman in a tug o’war and I’m being split in half. You dig?”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Sodapop Curtis), Chapter 12, Page 175
” Soda was fiddling with some daed grass. ‘I mean i can’t take sides. It’d be easier if I could, but I see both sides. Darry yells too much and tries too hard and takes everything too serious, and Ponyboy, you don’t think enough, you don’t realize all Darry’s giving up to give you a chance he missed out on.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Characters: Ponyboy Curtis and Sodapop Curtis), Chapter 12, Page 175, 76
”’We’re all we’ve got left. We ought to be able to stick together against anything. If we don’t have each other, we don’t have anything”’
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Sodapop Curtis), Chapter 12, Page 176
What Does Sodapop’s Letter Say?
Sodapop’s letter expresses his concern and worries for Ponyboy and Johnny’s safety after they run away. He mentions how their disappearance has caused great distress for their family and how the police have questioned them. He also mentions that Dally might know their whereabouts, but he keeps quiet and wishes they would return and turn themselves in.
Ponyboy,
Well I guess you got into some trouble, huh? Darry and me nearly went nuts when you ran out like that. Darry is awfully sorry he hit you. You know he didn’t mean it. And then you and Johnny turned up missing and what with that dead kid in the park and Dally getting hauled into the station, well it scared us something awful. The police came by to question us and we told them as much as we could. I can’t believe little old Johnny could kill somebody. I know Dally knows where you are, but you know him. He keeps his trap shut and wont tell me nothing. Darry hasn’t got the slightest notion where your at and it’s nearly killing him. I wish you’d come back and turn your selves in but I guess you can’t since Johnny might get hurt. You sure are famous. You got a paragraph in the newspaper even. Take care and say hi to Johnny for us.
Sodapop Curtis.
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Sodapop Curtis) to Ponyboy), Chapter 5, Page 82
What are Sodapop’s direct quotes?
“I am a greaser,” Sodapop chanted. “I am a JD and a hood. I blacken the name of our fair city. I beat up people. I rob gas stations. I am a menace to society. Man, do I have fun.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Sodapop Curtis), Chapter 9, Page 136
”’We’re all we’ve got left. We ought to be able to stick together against anything. If we don’t have each other, we don’t have anything”’
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Sodapop Curtis), Chapter 12, Page 176
What does Sodapop say about Sandy?
“I think I’m gonna marry Sandy. After she gets out of school and I get a better job and everything. I might wait till you get out of school, though. So I can still help Darry with the bills and stuff.”
“You in love with Sandy? What’s it like?”
“Hhhmmm.” He sighed happily. “It’s real nice.”
~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy Curtis and Sodapop Curtis about Sandy), Chapter 1, Page 18