How do three characters from the novel portray the theme of fighting for individualism?

In S.E. Hinton's novel The Outsiders, the Greasers are a group that lives outside the social norms. They also stick together under most circumstances and support each other. There are a few clear choices when writing on the theme of characters who fight for individualism. I would say that Darry, Dally, and Ponyboy portray this most clearly. One could argue that Cherry fits this, as well, by going against the social constructs of her group. Johnny doesn't fight for individualism—he wants to be part of the group. His greatest need is to belong. Sodapop is an extroverted character, and as such, not a fierce individualist. He is interested in all group members, family, and his relationship with his girlfriend. Other characters in the novel are too minor to analyze according to this topic.
Darry is Ponyboy's oldest brother. He is twenty years old and took on the responsibility of his two younger brothers after his parents died. He is part of the Greasers but lives much differently than they do. He works at a roofing job and parents Ponyboy. He was an athlete in high school and a scholar. He had great potential and hoped to go to college. But he lives his life not according to social expectations or pressure from peers, but according to his own will and values. He is willing to stand apart from the crowd and demonstrates this in many ways. During the rumble, he is the first to present himself ready to fight. He leads the others but also displays individualism with this choice.
His conflicts with Ponyboy are born out of Darry's desire for Ponyboy to not be satisfied to live the way the typical Greasers do, but to rise to his potential. Darry's fight for individualism is rooted in his pride. This pride was born during his successful high school days when he was captain of the football team and admired. His future was bright, and he wanted to go to college. After the death of his parents, his individualism is still rooted in pride, but shifts to pride in maintaining his family, and in showing others that he is just as good as anyone else. In a way, Ponyboy becomes the object of his pride, and this is why he rides his brother so hard. He sees his potential and wants to protect that potential. He doesn't want to see it wasted.
Where Darry's individualism is in his pride and willingness to lead and to rise above societal expectations, Dallas Winston's individualism is based on rebellion. He doesn't need people. He has a "stick it to the man" attitude. He is motivated by anger, hate, and violence. He has friendships with some of the Greasers and displays fierce loyalty to them, but it is clear in the novel that Dallas is mostly concerned with himself.

"We all had the money to get in—it only costs a quarter if you're not in a car—but Dally hated to do things the legal way. He liked to show that he didn't care whether there was a law or not. He went around trying to break laws."


"Towheaded and shifty-eyed, Dally was anything but handsome. Yet in his hard face there was character, pride, and a savage defiance of the world."
"Dally didn't give a Yankee dime about anyone but himself, and he was cold and hard and mean. He never talked about his past or being in jail that way—if he talked about it at all, it was to brag. And I suddenly thought of Dally . . . in jail at the age of ten . . . Dally growing up in the streets . . . "

Dally's individualism is born out of necessity. He became an individualist because he had to. To be in jail at ten years of age insinuates a complete lack of guidance from adults, and a need to survive in extremely tough circumstances. He took pride in being known apart from the group for his crimes. His propensity for violence and lawlessness were what defined him.
Ponyboy's individualism is in proving to himself and others that he is different from the social constructs which define him. He is loyal to the Greasers and a part of them, and for that, he does not apologize. However, he is also more sensitive and cultural than most of his friends. His affinity for sunsets and poetry demonstrate that. He is not afraid to pursue his interests alone, and for a long time, felt that he was unique in his interests and had no one to share them with.

"I had a long walk home and no company, but I usually lone it anyway, for no reason except that I like to watch movies undisturbed so I can get into them and live them with the actors. When I see a movie with someone it's kind of uncomfortable, like having someone read your book over your shoulder. I'm different that way."