The Outsiders
I believe that, in the book "Ponyboy," the Socs, socialites or social rich kids from the west, are more of a disgrace and menace to society than the "greasers," the poorer students from the east.
The Socs' idea of fun is throwing big parties, including beer blasts, and jumping greasers. They drive Mustangs, Corvairs and Corvettes. "Greasers are almost like hoods. They steals things, drive souped- up old cars, hold up gas stations and have gang fights once in a while." Page 3’. Socs wear madras shirts, wine coloured sweaters and ski jackets. The greasers wear their hair long, dress in blue jeans, T-shirts, leather jackets and tennis shoes or boots.
Socs get editorials written about them in the newspaper for being a public disgrace one day and an asset to society the next. Greasers, on the other hand, are known as juvenile delinquents because of their appearance and behaviour. "We take turns getting our names in the paper." Page 48.
The Socs make underprivileged people's lives distressing. They also jump them for kicks. Ponyboy refers to them as cold blooded men who are heartless and don’t feel anything. "We’re sophisticated – cool to the point of not feeling. Nothing is real for us." Page 47. Still, not all Socs are like that. For instance Cherry Valance and Ponyboy Curtis get along, sharing their love for literature and sunsets. Their bond can fill the gap between rich and poor. As Cherry said (on page 42), "things are rough all over."’ Before Ponyboy met Cherry he thought all Socs were rich kids who acted cruelly without motivation.
The Socs have no loyalty, even to each other. When Johnny stabbed Bob, all of Bob’s friends ran off leaving him lying in a pool of his own blood. "They ran when I stabbed him. They all ran..."Page 70. This shows that every person is for himself. But the greasers stick together like a big family although they are just friends. They are always there for each other no matter what the situation is. For example, when Dally found out
The Socs' idea of fun is throwing big parties, including beer blasts, and jumping greasers. They drive Mustangs, Corvairs and Corvettes. "Greasers are almost like hoods. They steals things, drive souped- up old cars, hold up gas stations and have gang fights once in a while." Page 3’. Socs wear madras shirts, wine coloured sweaters and ski jackets. The greasers wear their hair long, dress in blue jeans, T-shirts, leather jackets and tennis shoes or boots.
Socs get editorials written about them in the newspaper for being a public disgrace one day and an asset to society the next. Greasers, on the other hand, are known as juvenile delinquents because of their appearance and behaviour. "We take turns getting our names in the paper." Page 48.
The Socs make underprivileged people's lives distressing. They also jump them for kicks. Ponyboy refers to them as cold blooded men who are heartless and don’t feel anything. "We’re sophisticated – cool to the point of not feeling. Nothing is real for us." Page 47. Still, not all Socs are like that. For instance Cherry Valance and Ponyboy Curtis get along, sharing their love for literature and sunsets. Their bond can fill the gap between rich and poor. As Cherry said (on page 42), "things are rough all over."’ Before Ponyboy met Cherry he thought all Socs were rich kids who acted cruelly without motivation.
The Socs have no loyalty, even to each other. When Johnny stabbed Bob, all of Bob’s friends ran off leaving him lying in a pool of his own blood. "They ran when I stabbed him. They all ran..."Page 70. This shows that every person is for himself. But the greasers stick together like a big family although they are just friends. They are always there for each other no matter what the situation is. For example, when Dally found out