Final answer:
After the incident with the socs, Johnny's character changes from hardworking and amiable to irritable and temperamental, though some of these changes might be exaggerated or influenced by alcohol. Nevertheless, Johnny adapts to become a functioning stagecoach driver, indicating the brain's ability to recover from trauma.
Step-by-step explanation:
The incident with the socs leads to a significant change in Johnny's character within the novel. Prior to the incident, Johnny is depicted as a hardworking and amiable individual. The traumatic encounter, however, results in him becoming irritable, temperamental, and often perceived as lazy. It's important to note that some of these personality changes could have been exaggerated in the retellings, and his behavior might have been influenced by the use of alcohol, possibly as a form of self-medication for pain.
Despite the changes, there is evidence that Johnny was able to adapt to his new circumstances, becoming a functioning stagecoach driver. This shift suggests that the brain has a resilient capacity to recover from major trauma. Johnny's character development throughout the story is, therefore, multifaceted, reflecting both the impact of his traumatic experience and his subsequent journey towards recovery and adaptation.