18 The Outsiders Quotes About Family With Page Numbers

It’s more than blood; it’s who stands with you when everything falls apart.

In S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, the idea of “family” stretches far beyond traditional definitions. It encompasses the fractured, struggling bond between the orphaned Curtis brothers, the fierce loyalty of the Greaser gang functioning as a chosen family, and the stark, painful absence felt by those like Johnny and Dally with neglectful or abusive parents.

Understanding these overlapping and sometimes conflicting loyalties is key to grasping the novel’s emotional core and the motivations driving its characters.

This collection gathers 18 powerful quotes exploring the theme of family in its many forms within the novel. See how biological ties are tested, how chosen families provide refuge, and how broken homes shape characters, all accurately cited with page numbers from the Platinum Edition (Viking, 2006).

Orphaned and struggling, Darry, Sodapop, and Ponyboy navigate their roles as brothers and guardians, their bond tested by responsibility and fear.

The Curtis Brothers: Bonds Under Pressure

Bound by blood and loss, the Curtis brothers grapple with their new reality – Darry as the stern guardian, Sodapop the mediator, and Ponyboy the sensitive youngest trying to understand his place.

“Since I was dreaming, I brought Mom and Dad back to life…”

~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy as narrator reflecting on lost parents), Theme: Grief, Memory, Family Loss, Chapter 3, Page 48

Ponyboy’s longing for his parents underscores the foundational loss that shapes the brothers’ current dynamic. How does he cope? See Ponyboy’s defining quotes.

“He should never yell at Soda. Nobody should ever holler at my brother… Nobody in my family had ever hit me. Nobody.”

~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy as narrator reacting to Darry hitting him), Theme: Brotherly Loyalty, Family Conflict, Shock, Chapter 3, Page 50

“Oh, Pony, I thought we’d lost you . . . like we did Mom and Dad . . .”

~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Darry Curtis expressing fear for Ponyboy), Theme: Fear of Loss, Love, Family Trauma, Vulnerability, Chapter 6, Page 99

This reveals the deep fear underlying Darry’s strictness – the terror of losing another family member. What drives Darry? Explore Darry’s quotes.

“My parents are dead. I live here with just Darry and Soda, my brothers… If the judge decides Darry isn’t a good guardian… I’m liable to get stuck in a home somewhere.”

~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy Curtis on his family situation), Theme: Orphanhood, Precariousness, Fear of Separation, Chapter 11, Page 164

“I started writing names across the paper. Darrel Shaynne Curtis, Jr. Soda Patrick Curtis. Ponyboy Michael Curtis.”

~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy as narrator connecting with family names), Theme: Identity, Family Connection, Belonging, Chapter 12, Page 172

“Hey, Ponyboy”— Soda gave me a tearful grin— “don’t you start crying, too. One bawl-baby in the family’s enough.”

~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Sodapop Curtis to Ponyboy), Theme: Brotherhood, Affection, Emotional Support, Chapter 12, Page 176

What caused Soda’s tears? Read Sodapop’s quotes on the brothers’ fighting.

“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 pleading for unity), Theme: Family Unity, Loyalty, Interdependence, Desperation, Chapter 12, Page 176

Sodapop’s desperate plea highlights the fundamental truth for the Curtis brothers: their bond is their only true resource.

For many Greasers, the gang functions as a vital surrogate family, offering protection and acceptance absent elsewhere.

The Gang as Chosen Family

Faced with broken homes or societal judgment, the Greaser gang becomes more than friends; they are a chosen family bound by loyalty and shared experience.

“…I could have gotten one of the gang… Darry and Soda and I have grown up with and consider family. We’re almost as close as brothers…”

~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy as narrator on gang bonds), Theme: Chosen Family, Brotherhood, Belonging, Chapter 1, Page 3

“You take up for your buddies, no matter what they do. When you’re a gang, you stick up for the members… make like brothers… It’s a pack.”

~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy as narrator explaining the code), Theme: Loyalty, Gang Code, Protection, Unity, Chapter 2, Page 26

“…At least you got Soda. I ain’t got nobody.’ … ‘you got the whole gang.’ ‘It ain’t the same as having your own folks care about you,’ Johnny said simply.”

~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Dialogue: Johnny Cade and Ponyboy on family vs. gang), Theme: Family vs Gang, Belonging, Parental Love (absence of), Chapter 3, Pages 51-52

Johnny acknowledges the gang’s importance but highlights the irreplaceable void left by his lack of parental care. How did neglect shape him? See Johnny Cade’s full story.

“…Darry finally got it through the guy’s head that we were about as much family as Dally and Johnny had.”

~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy as narrator at the hospital), Theme: Chosen Family, Shared Experience, Recognition, Chapter 7, Page 102

“Our front door is always unlocked in case one of the boys is hacked off at his parents and needs a place to lay over and cool off.”

~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy as narrator on the Curtis house as refuge), Theme: Chosen Family, Refuge, Support System, Chapter 7, Page 105

The novel unflinchingly portrays the damaging effects of absent, abusive, or neglectful parents on several key characters.

Broken Homes and Their Impact

The pain of dysfunctional families shapes characters like Johnny, Dally, and Two-Bit, influencing their personalities and choices.

“Johnny was high-strung anyway, a nervous wreck from getting belted every time he turned around and from hearing his parents fight all the time.”

~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy Curtis about Johnny’s home life), Theme: Abuse, Trauma, Neglect, Fear, Chapter 2, Page 33

“It ain’t fair that we have all the rough breaks!… Johnny’s father being a drunk and his mother a selfish slob, and Two-Bit’s mother being a barmaid… Steve— his hatred for his father…”

~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy Curtis reflecting on troubled families), Theme: Dysfunctional Families, Hardship, Social Class, Chapter 3, Page 43

Ponyboy laments the difficult home lives that characterize much of his gang. How did Two-Bit handle it? Check Two-Bit’s Wisecracks. How did Steve? See Steve’s Anger.

“Johnny’s parents didn’t care if he came home or not.”

~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy as narrator), Theme: Neglect, Indifference, Chapter 3, Page 48

“I don’t guess my parents are worried about me or anything?” … “My parents,” Johnny repeated doggedly, “did they ask about me?” “No,” snapped Dally, “they didn’t… my old man don’t give a hang…”

~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Dialogue: Johnny Cade & Dallas Winston), Theme: Parental Neglect, Hope vs Reality, Shared Pain, Chapter 6, Page 87

This heartbreaking exchange reveals the depth of Johnny’s yearning for parental care and Dally’s harsh attempt to shield him from disappointment. Did Dally truly not care? See Dally’s Hardened Perspective.

“He’s dead— his mother has had a nervous breakdown. They spoiled him rotten… but they gave in to him all the time.”

~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Randy about Bob’s parents), Theme: Parenting, Lack of Boundaries, Consequences, Chapter 7, Page 116

“His parents let him run wild— because they loved him too much or too little? … I hoped they hated us, that they weren’t full of that pity-the-victims-of-environment junk…”

~S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders, (Character: Ponyboy as narrator reflecting on Bob’s parents), Theme: Parenting Failure, Class Perspective, Pity vs Hate, Chapter 11, Page 162

Family Quotes FAQ

What does Ponyboy say about family in The Outsiders?

Ponyboy acknowledges both his biological brothers and the gang as family: “…one of the four boys Darry and Soda and I have grown up with and consider family. We’re almost as close as brothers…” (Chapter 1, Page 3). He also recognizes the unique bond of the gang: “You take up for your buddies… stick together, make like brothers…” (Chapter 2, Page 26).

How is the theme of family shown in The Outsiders?

Family is central, shown through the struggles and loyalty of the Curtis brothers adapting after their parents’ death; the Greaser gang acting as a protective, chosen family, offering belonging where biological families fail; and the damaging effects of dysfunctional or absent parents on characters like Johnny and Dally.

Conclusion: The Family You Choose

In The Outsiders, “family” is the anchor in a storm—whether it’s the one you’re born into or the one you choose when everything else fails. Hinton masterfully shows the fierce loyalty that binds the Greasers and the heartbreaking consequences when biological families break down. These bonds, in all their forms, are what ultimately define survival and belonging in a world marked by division.

We hope this collection of 18 quotes illuminates the critical theme of family in this unforgettable novel.

Explore more character perspectives and themes in our full Outsiders Study Guide resources.

A Note on Page Numbers & Edition:

We meticulously sourced these quotes from The Outsiders (Viking Press [Penguin Group], 2006 Platinum Edition paperback). Like the Curtis brothers sticking together, page numbers can vary between editions. Always verify against your copy for accurate citations!

Jeremy Mortis

Jeremy Mortis, founder of Ageless Investing, applies a rigorous analytical approach (the AAM framework) to distill timeless wisdom and contextualized quotes from classic literature, saving you time while deepening understanding. Learn more about Jeremy’s unique background and methodology on his author bio page.