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This quote shows the importance of family in Ponyboys life. And loyalty is what holds his family together. Close family is important in Ponyboys' neighborhood especially for protection. Darry is the head of the household making most of the money and taking responsibility.

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Loyalty is what holds most gangs, friends, and family's together including Ponyboy's. Without loyalty they would all be turning their back on each other and untrusting. In these conditions no kind of relationship is going to last so they would have no choice but to split up. Unfortunately, this can not be the case especially in Ponyboy's family because of the dangerous conditions that they live in. Another piece of evidence to back this theme up is quote number one.

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"Since Mom and Dad were killed in an auto wreck, the three of us only get to stay together only as long as we behave. So Soda and I stay out of trouble as much as we can" (p. 3)

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"You take up for your buddies no matter what they do. When you're in a gang, you stick up for the members."     (p. 26)

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Loyalty is everything in friendship and family.