Jhonny Cade- Character Profile Flashcards
Background (part 1)- description
Johnny Cade is a vulnerable 16-year-old Greaser with “big black eyes in a dark tanned face; his hair was jet-black and heavily greased.” He’s described as “a little dark puppy that’s been kicked too many times.” After a brutal attack by Socs, Johnny is left traumatized: “I had never been jumped, but I had seen Johnny after the four Socs got hold of him, and it wasn’t pretty.”
Background (part 2)- socs beating
The gang is used to seeing Johnny “all banged up,” but nothing compared to the Socs’ beating, which left “his face all cut and bruised and swollen, and there was a wide gash from his temple to his cheekbone.” This attack exacerbates his fear and PTSD, evident when Two-Bit pretends to be a “Snarling Soc,” causing Johnny to go pale, with “his eyes shut and he was as white as a ghost. His breath was coming in smothered gasps.”
Background (part 3)- lack of parental love
Johnny’s skittish nature is intensified by years of abuse from his parents, who “always beat him up, and his mother ignored him.” He often sleeps in vacant lots, as it’s safer than home. His parents show little concern for him, as demonstrated when Johnny went missing for a week and they didn’t ask for him once.
Johnny Cade turns to the Greasers as his only option for a dependable family. They become his entire support system, yet since they are also just struggling kids themselves, this support is far from sufficient. This is why he is often described as “the gang’s pet.”
Things he says
Johnny expresses through-out the novel that he doesn’t care for the gang rivalry. He longs to find a place “without greasers or Socs, with just people. plain ordinary people.” This shows us that Johnny wishes for a life without rivalry, jealousy and hatred.
Things others say about him (part 1)
Johnny is often called “the gang’s pet,” and no one can stay mad at him—not even Dally, because “Johnny was Dally’s pet too.” This reflects their understanding of Johnny’s struggles at home. He idolizes Dally, trying to impress him. Dally proves to Johnny that survival is possible without family, and their bond is interdependent. Dally tells Johnny he’s proud of him—“Johnny’s eyes glowed. Dally was proud of him. That’s all Johnny ever wanted.” As one gang member says, “We couldn’t get along without him. We needed Johnny as much as he needed the gang. And for the same reason.”
Things others say about him (part 2)
Cherry Valance, a Soc, describes him as “hurt and scared,” showing that even outsiders see his vulnerability.
Key moments-pony boy has a flashback that tells us about jhonny being jumped:
Johnny had been attacked by a group of Socs led by Bob and his rings. Before this, he was already scared due to his abusive parents, but this incident transformed him in ways they never could. During the attack, Johnny felt overwhelming fear and isolation, filled with thoughts of dying and pain. This trauma altered his identity, leaving him feeling more alone than ever, leading him to break down and cry. Since then, Johnny carries a deep fear of the Socs and anything that could threaten his life.
Key moments- drive-in movie incident:
Johnny stands up to his idol, Dallas Winston, at the drive-in movie, marking a key moment in the story. This scene introduces Cherry Valance and Marcia, showcasing a surprising side of Johnny’s usually timid nature. When Dally makes the girls uncomfortable, Johnny boldly asserts, “leave her alone Dally.” This unexpected reaction shocks both Pony and Dally, highlighting Johnny’s growth, especially since he “worshiped the ground Dallas walked on.” It’s one of the rare times he stands up for someone.
