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the author S.E Hinton developed the theme of friendship throughout the story. In the story the theme progressed because the friendships got stronger and they relied on each other more. Johnny and Pony became a lot better friends and were there for each other  when they needed each other. Pony boy and Darry's relationship professed as well because Pony finally realized that Darry loved him and was just trying to protect him.

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In the beginning of the novel Pony and Johnny weren't as close. Pony believed that Darry hated him because he always seemed like he wasn't good enough. Before the events Pony felt like he was just the kid of the gang and wasn't really accepted within the gang.

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Pony and Johnny got attacked by the soc's and Pony was drowning so Johnny stabbed the soc. Johnny could have run away but he risked his life by stabbing him just to save a friend. They stuck together.

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Dally and Pony wanted to fight for johnny because he was their best friend and they wanted to honor him.

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"Darry did care about me, maybe as much as he cared about soda." 98
Pony used to think that Darry hated him but he realized that he really did love him he was just trying to protect him.

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this sunset connects to the theme because cherry and Pony became closer as friends because they realized they watched the same sunset and weren't so different.

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"we stayed with you so much that the doctor told us we were going to end up in the hospital ourselves if we didn't get some sleep. But we didn't get any anyway." 160 Pony boys brothers are more like his best friends and they stuck with him when he needed them.

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The outsiders by S.E Hinton is about friendship and reveals that friends need to stick together through hard times.