What Does Sodapop Want To Control In The Outsiders

Alright, let’s talk about Sodapop Curtis. You know, the ridiculously handsome, ever-grinning middle brother from The Outsiders? The one with the “dazzling” smile that made even Ponyboy admit he was movie-star material?

On the surface, Soda looks like he’s just along for the ride—a happy-go-lucky dropout who works at a gas station and cracks jokes. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll realize this guy is secretly a control freak.

Not in the “organize your sock drawer” way. No, Soda wants to control something much bigger: everyone’s emotional temperature. He’s the human thermostat of the Curtis household, and boy, does he work overtime.

He Wants to Control the Peace—At All Costs

Sodapop’s number one mission in life is to keep the peace between his brothers. Darry yells? Soda jumps in with a joke. Ponyboy gets broody? Soda gives him a hug or a stick of gum.

He’s basically a one-man diplomatic corps for teenagers. In one scene, he literally throws himself between Darry and Ponyboy to stop a fight. That’s not just sibling love—that’s a psychological emergency brake.

Fun fact: Soda’s middle name in the novel is revealed to be “Patrick.” But honestly, it might as well be “Referee.” He’s so desperate for harmony that he’d rather absorb all the family tension himself than let a single argument boil over.

He Wants to Control His Own Identity (Before the World Labels Him)

Sodapop dropped out of school, but not because he’s dumb. He did it because he needed control over his own story. In the book, he says, “I don’t want to be like Pony—always gettin’ in trouble.”

He wants to be seen as the free spirit, the guy who lives for now. But deep down, he’s terrified of being trapped—like his parents were, like the gang is, like the whole greaser life threatens to be.

Ponyboy, Sodapop And Darry From The Outsiders

That’s why he’s obsessed with his horse, Mickey Mouse. No, seriously—he loves that horse. He even says, “That horse’s the only thing I got that’s mine.” Controlling that relationship (even though the horse gets sold) is his way of saying, “This is my joy, nobody touch it.”

He Wants to Control His Future—Without Letting Anyone See the Strings

Here’s a wild fact: Soda is the only Curtis brother who works a full-time job. At sixteen. While Darry works two jobs and Pony goes to school, Soda is the financial glue. He controls the money, even if he doesn’t admit it.

He buys groceries, helps pay the mortgage, and never complains. But he’s also secretly saving up for something bigger—like maybe getting a better job, or leaving Tulsa entirely. He tells Pony, “I’m gonna get out of this town someday.”

That’s a huge confession from a guy who supposedly lives in the moment. He’s controlling his destiny by hustling silently, all while cracking jokes to keep you from noticing the hustle.

He Wants to Control His Heart—Because Love Is Messy

Oh, and let’s not forget his girlfriend, Sandy. Soda is desperately in love with her, but when she gets pregnant by another guy and moves away, he loses control completely. He cries. He screams. He punches a wall.

The Outsiders 1983 Sodapop

Why? Because Soda built his whole identity on being the cheerful, stable one. And when love goes sideways, his control system crashes. He can’t fix it, he can’t negotiate it, and he can’t joke it away.

That breakdown is the most honest moment in the book. It shows that even the most laid-back greaser is secretly fighting to steer his own life—and sometimes, the wheel gets ripped out of his hands.

The Surprising Truth: Soda Is the Real Mastermind

Here’s the kicker: Soda isn’t just controlling his life; he’s controlling how you see him. He uses charm and humor like a magician uses a curtain. While you’re laughing at his one-liners, he’s quietly managing the family’s emotions, finances, and future.

He even controls Ponyboy’s narrative. When Pony writes the story of The Outsiders, he admits Soda is his favorite person—the one who “understands everybody.” That’s because Soda engineered that understanding on purpose.

So next time you read the book, watch Soda carefully. He’s not just the handsome, gum-chewing sidekick. He’s the puppet master of peace, the secret architect of the Curtis family’s survival, and a guy who desperately wants to control just one thing: that everyone he loves stays safe, happy, and together—even if he has to trick them into it.

Stay gold, Soda. But maybe let go of the wheel once in a while.