Question

In the novel, The Outsiders, why would being paralyzed and/or wheelchair-bound be worse for johnny than for someone else?

Answer 1

Being paralyzed would be devastating for Johnny in 'The Outsiders' as his identity and role in the gang rely on physical activity. The storytelling within the novel indicates that despite the initial negative impacts of such an injury, individuals can adapt and find new roles, as demonstrated by Sam's father becoming a stagecoach driver.

Step-by-step explanation:

In The Outsiders, being paralyzed and/or wheelchair-bound would be especially traumatic for Johnny because his self-concept and role within the group are highly connected to physical activity and involvement in 'turf' battles. As a member of a gang where physical prowess is valued, being paralyzed would not only limit his mobility but also his identity and the way he interacts with his environment. The novel doesn't directly address severe disability, but it discusses the implications of Johnny's potential paralysis due to injury. Johnny finds purpose and self-worth in his gang involvement and the novel illustrates that coping with major physical trauma varies, as seen through the storytelling about Sam's dad. Though Sam's father was initially changed by his paralysis, turning irritable and temperamental, he eventually adapts and finds a way to become a functioning stagecoach driver which alludes to the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit even after significant challenges.

Answer 2

Remember, Johnny came from a terrible household. His parents either beat him, or ignored him. If Johnny became crippled, he wouldn't be able to come and go from that house as he pleased, which means he has to stay in that home where he was hated and unwanted.

Here is the excerpt from the novel:

"Even if Johnny did live he'd be crippled and never play football or help us out in a rumble again. He'd have to stay in that house he hated, where he wasn't wanted, and things could never be like they used to be. I didn't trust myself to speak. If I said one word, the hard knot in my throat would swell and I'd be crying in spite of myself." (Hinton, 87).