Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Outsiders. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Johnny Cade dies from injuries he got rescuing children from a burning building, telling Ponyboy to “stay gold.” Grief-stricken, Dally robs a store and is shot by police, Ponyboy is cleared at a hearing for the killing of Bob, and he begins writing his English assignment, the story readers have just read.
Quick facts
– Book: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
– First published: 1967
– Type: A young adult novel
– Tone of the ending: Sad but hopeful
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Ponyboy Curtis, fourteen, is a Greaser in Tulsa, raised by his older brothers Darry and Sodapop. The Greasers clash with the wealthy Socs. When Socs attack Ponyboy and Johnny, Johnny stabs Bob, a Soc, to save Ponyboy. With Dally's help, the boys hide in an abandoned building out in the country.
What Happens at the End of The Outsiders
Fire breaks out while children are inside. Johnny and Ponyboy rescue them, but Johnny is badly burned. The Greasers win a rumble against the Socs. Johnny dies. Dally, unable to handle the loss, robs a store and points an unloaded gun at police, who shoot him. Ponyboy is cleared. He reads Johnny's letter urging him to stay gold and writes their story for school.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Johnny dies a hero.
- Dally is killed by police.
- Ponyboy is cleared.
- Ponyboy writes the story.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Ponyboy Curtis | Writes the story |
| Johnny Cade | Dies |
| Dallas Winston | Shot by police |
| Darry Curtis | Keeps the family together |
| Sodapop Curtis | Supports his brothers |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows that people from different backgrounds share the same pain, and that innocence can be kept.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers see Dally's death as suicide by police. Others focus on Ponyboy's growth.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Class. Greasers and Socs are divided.
Innocence. “Stay gold.”
Family. The brothers stick together.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Outsiders as sad but hopeful. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected S.E. Hinton to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are sad but hopeful will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how S.E. Hinton closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1983 film by Francis Ford Coppola follows the novel's ending closely.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Outsiders with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about class, and do you agree with S.E. Hinton's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as sad but hopeful, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces class and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what S.E. Hinton leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Outsiders often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Outsiders earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of The Outsiders on Amazon
Books to Read After The Outsiders
- Rumble Fish by S.E. Hinton
- That Was Then, This Is Now by S.E. Hinton
Related: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like The Outsiders You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Outsiders?
Johnny Cade dies from injuries he got rescuing children from a burning building, telling Ponyboy to “stay gold.” Grief-stricken, Dally robs a store and is shot by police, Ponyboy is cleared at a hearing for the killing of Bob, and he begins writing his English assignment, the story readers have just read.
Is the ending of The Outsiders happy or sad?
Most readers call it sad but hopeful.
What does the ending of The Outsiders mean?
The ending shows that people from different backgrounds share the same pain, and that innocence can be kept.
Is the ending of The Outsiders the same in the adaptation?
The 1983 film by Francis Ford Coppola follows the novel's ending closely.
Who wrote The Outsiders and when was it published?
The Outsiders was written by S.E. Hinton and first published in 1967.
Is The Outsiders worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy young adult novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how S.E. Hinton prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Outsiders before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.