Wealth In The Outsiders

Words: 638
Pages: 3

A prominent theme in the Outsiders is that wealth and status do not affect the number struggles and problems you will encounter in life. It's something Ponyboy hadn't quite understand at the beginning of the book but grew to realize as the world he thought he new was torn apart and he began to see things in a new light. In the beginning Ponyboy only sees the obvious. That the greasers have a tough life, that they’re inferior. It's no wonder he scoffs at the comment Cherry makes on page 35 “ ‘Things are rough all over.’ ” Ponyboy’s parents are killed in a car accident leaving Darry to abandon a chance at college and get two jobs just so they can keep their house. Soda also drops out of school to try and keep them together. Johnny's dad was a drunk and he had a mother hated him. None of their home situations are even close to ideal. On page 3 Ponyboy calls them poorer than the Socs and middle class. The Soc’s on the other hand seem to have it much better than the East Side. They're rich, work is not an obligation. They have parties and drink because they have the time and they'll jump kids just because they're bored. Like Ponyboy observed on page 164, “Besides, what did he have to lose? His old man was rich, he could pay whatever fine there was for being drunk and picking a fight.” Yet there are hidden aspects to both classes too. The Socs …show more content…
To survive they form gangs and become closer than brothers. They have each others backs and are willing to help one another out of pretty much any situation. They can show who they are rather than hide under masks. Some choose to see life as an adventure, taking pride in their prized switchblades and long hair. They're like their cars too, maybe a little more banged up or not as high quality outside, but there's a lot more to them on the inside. “ ‘That's why we’re separated,’ I said. ‘It's not money, it’s feeling–you don't feel anything and we feel to violently.’ ”