Sodapop is the middle brother in the Curtis family. Throughout the novel, the younger Ponyboy often conflicts with his oldest brother Darry, but tends to idolize Sodapop. Ponyboy describes Sodapop as being "movie-star handsome" and seemingly always happy. Ponyboy says that Sodapop never drinks alcohol but he is usually "drunk on just plain living." Ponyboy also claims that Soda "understands everybody." Appropriately, Sodapop has some important lines during the course of the story.
One important quote which illustrates Sodapop's love for Ponyboy is in chapter six when Darry and Soda come to the hospital after Ponyboy has been injured trying to save the kids from the burning church. When Soda first sees Pony, he says, "Oh, Ponyboy, your hair... your tuff, tuff hair..." As explained by Ponyboy, the term "tuff" refers to something that is "sharp" or "cool" like a nice car.
A quote in chapter nine helps to reveal Sodapop's free spirit. In this chapter, the boys are preparing for the "rumble" with the Socs and Ponyboy is curious as to why each boy fights. Soda says, "It's action, it's a contest. Like a drag race or a dance or something." Like everything in his life, Soda tries to make fighting something fun and desirable.
Finally, Soda reveals his vulnerability in the last chapter after he finds that his girlfriend Sandy has returned his letter unopened. He becomes upset with the constant bickering between Ponyboy and Darry. He finally can't take it anymore and storms out of the house. When Pony and Darry track him down, he says, "We're all we've got left. We ought to be able to stick together against everything." Afterward, Pony and Darry understand what they're doing to Soda and the relationship between the three brothers is strengthened.
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