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Jerry Wood is a school teacher who witnesses the fire that destroys the church in Windrixville and kills Johnny. He is kind and protective, as evidenced by his attempts to stop Ponyboy from entering the church to save the children. He tries to go into the church himself, but is unable to fit through the window. Jerry rides with Ponyboy to the hospital and stays by his side until Sodapop and Darry arrive. His attempts to sooth and reassure Ponyboy illustrate his sensitive and understanding nature.
Jerry does not allow outward appearances or stereotypes to color his opinion of Ponyboy. Besides Cherry Valance, Jerry is the only other character in the novel who does not immediately reduce Ponyboy to a stereotype of a hoodlum from the wrong side of town. Instead, he declares that Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally are three of the bravest kids he has ever seen. Even after Ponyboy tells Jerry that they are Greasers, and confides all that transpired between Johnny and Bob, Jerry is "real nice about it," and continues to celebrate the boys' heroism as he talks to Ponyboy all the way to the hospital. Ponyboy reflects that Jerry didn't seem to mind their being hoods. Evidently, Jerry does not allow their history, appearances, or socioeconomic status to alter his perceptions of them. His character serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining open-minded instead of allowing preconceived notions to manipulate one's opinions of a person or group of people.
