At 14 years old, the youngest Curtis brother and greaser. He is intelligent and sensitive and has certain un-greaserlike characteristics: he likes to go to movies by himself, does well in school, and appreciates sunsets.

• Curtis

• Ponyboy

• Darry

• Sodapop

The oldest of the Curtis brothers. He is 20, hardworking, and rarely shows his feelings. After the boys' parents died, he passed up a college scholarship and took responsibility for raising his younger brothers.

• Bob

• Ponyboy

• Darry

• Sodapop

The second youngest of the greasers. He is 16, a close friend to Ponyboy, and beloved by the entire gang.

• Darry

• Dally

• Ponyboy

• Johnny

A tough, hardened greaser. He grew up on the streets of New York and learned early to depend upon himself. He has a long criminal record and is prone to risk-taking, but he also cares for Johnny.

• Darry

• Dally

• Bob

• Stacey

A Soc and Bob's girlfriend. She is open-minded, sensitive, and courageous. She befriends Ponyboy early in the novel and helps him to see that Socs are people, too.

• Callie Sanning

• Megan Davis

• Cherry Valance

• Marsha Tilling

The middle Curtis brother. He is handsome and fun-loving. A high school dropout who enjoys working with cars and has a job at a gas station, he is a compassionate and supportive sibling to his two brothers. He often finds himself in the middle of their fights

• Ponyboy

• Curtis

• Sodapop

• Darry

The oldest of the greaser gang. He is quick-witted and is always telling jokes. Ponyboy appreciates that he treats him as an equal.

• Two-bit

• Dally

• Bob

• Johnny

Sodapop's best friend. He works with Sodapop at the gas station and spends a lot of time at the Curtis home. Ponyboy feels that he regards him as a child and a tagalong.

• Randy Anderson

• Johnny

• Steve Randle

• Bob Sheldon

The leader of the Socs and Cherry's boyfriend. He is a tough, intimidating boy who gets killed by Johnny when he and his friends attack Johnny and Ponyboy.

• Buck

• Steve

• Bob

• Tim Shepard

Bob's best friend and Marcia's boyfriend. He is a Soc who participates in the attack on Ponyboy and Johnny. In the aftermath of Bob's death, he becomes introspective, befriends Ponyboy, and works to end the violence between the Socs and greasers.

• Bob

• Randy

• Marcia

• Dallas