Provide textual evidence that illustrates how Sodapop is a happy-go-lucky person.

Ponyboy directly comments that Sodapop has a happy-go-lucky personality in the first chapter. Ponyboy says,

"Soda more than I've ever loved anyone, even Mom and Dad. He's always happy-go-lucky and grinning..." (Hinton 3).

Pony goes on to mention that Sodapop is always joking and messing around. Sodapop's personality is one of the main reasons that Ponyboy admires him so much. Unlike Darry who is strict and treats Ponyboy like he is a child, Sodapop doesn't take life too seriously and listens to Ponyboy. Later on in the novel, Sodapop is in the waiting room of the hospital when several reporters arrive and begin asking Ponyboy questions. Sodapop cannot resist making a joke out of the whole situation and begins mimicking the TV reporters. Ponyboy mentions that Sodapop had them "in stitches." Pony goes on to say that Sodapop reminded him of a colt and comments,

"I guess he would have enjoyed it more if it hadn't been so serious, but he couldn't resist anything that caused that much excitement" (Hinton 85).