The Burning Church

I could barely believe my eyes when I saw the church up in flames. Dally had been with Ponyboy and Johnny ( who I heard murdered Bob). There was much chaos, confusion, and danger. When Dally pulled up I recognized the runaways Ponyboy and Johnny. But before anyone could do anything about it, they were rushing inside the burning church because of small children that were trapped inside. They could have possibly let a cigarette slip and start the fire without them noticing it. More danger......more fear......all of these elements leading to nerve wracking adrenaline.

Dally was screaming and yelling at the boys to get out, but they just kept running, knowing he could do nothing to stop them. Their hearts were probably set out to redeem themselves from the horrible crime Johnny had committed and for Ponyboy running away. If Johnny was found extra guilty, he would be given the electric chair. Anyways, the firemen and no other professionals were there yet, but boy I was worried to death that I could barely keep my eyes open! I saw Ponyboy break a window and shatter the glass, risking several severe cuts ( nothing compared to what he faces later), but his sheer bravery seemed to keep him going. Johnny was right alongside him. Another man could not go with him because as Johnny commented, he was too big. There were kids in fear screaming from the back. The adults around the burning church were worried for the poor children's lives. They had been trapped between the flames and if Ponyboy and Johnny weren't fast enough, they would all perish from the collapsing roof and flames engulfing them.

Fortunately, after interviewing a few people about the scene to see their point of view, I found out that Ponyboy and Johnny successfully were able to break a glass window, and get the children out gently. Next, Johnny and Ponyboy came out alive. Ponyboy passed out before he could make it out of the window, though. Dally slammed Ponyboy's back, making Ponyboy fall to the ground abruptly and the world going black.

This is remarkable that they made it out because of all the obstacles they were facing such as the thick smoke that left them constantly coughing, the horror of not knowing who was going to make it out alive, the flames flickering out at them that burned their clothes and skin, and the fear of whether or not the roof was going to come down on them and collapse and if so.......when?

Unfortunately, this left severe consequences for Ponyboy's and Johnny's decision to go into the flaming barn. They were left with severe burns, bruises, and cuts. For instance, after a check with the hospital, we found that Ponyboy, Johnny and Dally has suffered severe burns and bruises. Dally had a severely burned arm, but other than that, was going to be okay. Johnny was much worse. I found out that, because a timber fell on him, he had a broken back and severe burns. He had been in the hospital in critical condition. There were many "ifs" about him living. He had passed out before he got out the window. Ponyboy did not seem that hurt other than his jacket on his back going up in flames and having burns on his back.

At the hospital, after Ponyboy was checked, his brothers, Sodapop and Darry, came to him. Darry, the tough looking man, was in tears and wept for his younger brother. It turns out, he does love his brother very much and from what we know, cannot afford to lose another family member because he lost his parents. Sodapop was so relieved to see Ponyboy as well, and both of the brothers warmed Ponyboy.

After this experience, Ponyboy and Johnny will still have lots in life to face and there may not always be help when they need it and they could get themselves into bigger trouble. The burning barn reunited the family, made them see how much they love one another, fixed some problems after the murder, and made Ponyboy and Johnny do the right thing. After all, these experiences made them realize some very important things for the future because of their rough lives and neighborhood.

Information read on this is from pages 80-83 in, " The Outsiders" Down at the bottom is a video clip of the scene for even more understanding and 5 pictures that go along with this scene.