Cherry Valance

• • Cherry" Valance, an affluent girl who is a Soc named Bob's girlfriend, is the most prominent female character in The Outsiders. In the book, Cherry serves as a unifying force. She already believes, upon meeting Ponyboy, that Greasers and Socials are bound together by nature and the universal struggles of humanity.
  • This is evident, when Ponyboy and Cherry met and talked about the connection between socs and greasers in relation to sunsets. Cherry said she enjoyed watching sunsets,“I bet you watch sunsets, too”.
• . I used to watch them, too, before I got so busy.” Ponyboy informed her that he believes this demonstrates humanism since, despite their differences, greasers and socs are still individuals.
• • In the book, Cherry serves as both a unifying and a divisive( causing disagreement) force. She acknowledges and first comes to terms with the social realities of her environment. Following their time together, she informs him, "“Ponyboy… I mean… if I see you in the hall at school or something and don’t say hi, well it’s not personal or anything, but…”
• Pony naturally feels downcast because of this. Cherry enjoys her position as a cheerleader and popular person. She and Ponyboy are both living in a violently charged environment, and one of the main causes of this pressure is her lover Bob.
• Her position as a link between Socs and Greasers becomes more visible as the plot develops. Cherry can't bring herself to see Johnny in the hospital after he kills Bob. Although she was Bob's girlfriend, she has publicly stated that Bob was drunk, violent, in the wrong, and most likely the instigator in his fight with Johnny.
• She also serves as a liaison( link) between the Greasers and the Socials, ensuring that the rumble is fair and that neither side brings weapons. She is committed to nonviolence and envisions social equality. She is attempting to do the right thing and improve the lives of others around her.