What was the relationship of Sodapop and Darry in The Outsiders?

In The Outsiders, Sodapop and Darry Curtis, Ponyboy's two older brothers, have a very close and respectful relationship with one another. This is established very early in the book in chapter 1, when Ponyboy tells the reader how Sodapop often teases Darry, while none of the other greasers do. In chapter 1, Ponyboy goes on to say "I'd just as soon tease a full-grown grizzly: but for some reason, Darry seems to like being...

In The Outsiders, Sodapop and Darry Curtis, Ponyboy's two older brothers, have a very close and respectful relationship with one another. This is established very early in the book in chapter 1, when Ponyboy tells the reader how Sodapop often teases Darry, while none of the other greasers do. In chapter 1, Ponyboy goes on to say "I'd just as soon tease a full-grown grizzly: but for some reason, Darry seems to like being teased by Soda" (Hinton 9). From this, we see that Darry feels a certain closeness with his middle brother that allows him to give in to this playful behavior, something he does not appreciate from the other greasers. Later in the novel, you can also see Darry's pride and respect for Sodapop when Ponyboy questions Darry for not giving Sodapop a hard time about fighting in the rumble. In response to this question Darry tells Ponyboy with a grin "this is one kid brother I don't have to worry about" (Hinton 135), again showing the close affectionate relationship between the two. This close relationship is an interesting dynamic throughout the story, as Ponyboy often finds himself in arguments with Darry, which forces Sodapop, who is very close not only with Darry, but also with Ponyboy, to play peacemaker. Interestingly, it is this closeness between Sodapop and both of his other brothers that leads to an understanding between the three at the end of the novel, when Sodapop tells them both "If we don't have each other, we don't have anything" (Hinton 176).  

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