The Outsiders Group

Question:

lolita1994
lolita1994
Student
High School - 10th Grade

Explain the difference between Socs and Greasers in Chapter 2 of The Outsiders.

Can you help me to find differences?

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Posted by lolita1994 on Wednesday March 26, 2008 at 5:25 PM and tagged with differences, greasers, socs, the outsiders, themes.

Answers:


  1. dymatsuoka

    eNotes Editor

    Chapter 2 presents a few ways that Socs and Greasers differ, to add to the general variations outlined in Chapter 1.  Greasers are poor and have "gangs", and Socs are rich and have "social clubs". They hang out in different places -  Ponyboy says that "the Socs go to The Way Out and to Rusty's, and the Greasers go to "The Dingo and to Jay's".

    Aside from these details, the main idea of the Chapter is that, despite their differences, there is a lot that is the same about the two groups.  Both Socs and Greasers get in trouble, and they fight, and although it is easy to resort to sterotyping, both groups are made up of unique individuals.  Cherry describes the situation succinctly when she says, "All Socs aren't like that...that's like saying all you Greasers are like Dally Winston".  Cherry also notes that individuals in both groups face hardships in their lives.  She sums it up with the observation, "I'll bet you think the Socs have it made, the rich kids...I'll tell you something...and it may come as a surprise.  We have troubles you've never even heard of...things are tough all over" (Chapter 2).

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/outsiders/summary

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    Posted by dymatsuoka on Thursday March 27, 2008 at 2:26 AM

  2. neekers08
    neekers08 Student
    High School - 9th Grade

    The Greasers are on the East side have long hair hang out at the Dingo, and Jay's do not have alot of money like elvis wear jeans and leatherfight cleaner then the Socs and are open about their emotions

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    Posted by neekers08 on Tuesday May 27, 2008 at 12:54 PM

  3. esaha4
    esaha4 Student
    High School - 12th Grade

    well they are different by their ways. Greasers always have soooo much grease in their hair and the socs don't. the socs are rich, and live in a rich neighborhood, and the greasers live in the hoods. They don't have money and nice houses like the socs do.

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    Posted by esaha4 on Monday May 25, 2009 at 6:53 PM

  4. tackettmarissa
    tackettmarissa Student
    High School - 9th Grade

    how are greasers different from socs?

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    Posted by tackettmarissa on Sunday August 23, 2009 at 3:13 PM

  5. appletrees
    appletrees Teacher
    College - Junior

    eNotes Editor

    The outcome of the novel, after Dallas, Ponyboy and Johnny rescue the children from the burning house on the poor side of town, demonstrates that the judgments made about the different groups can be overcome by individual actions. The Greasers, being poor and known for mischief and disruptive behavior, prove that their ringleaders are compassionate, brave and of good moral character when they risk their lives to help strangers. Cherry, one of the Socs, is a character who manages to make overtures to help bridge the gaps between the two groups, but this happens mainly because both Dallas and Ponyboy are attracted to her. She and Ponyboy discuss the fact that the stars in the sky are visible from both sides of the town they live in, calling attention to their similarities. The title of the novel itself implies one of the groups is made up of outsiders, when in reality, both sides are removed from society because of the various socioeconomic and cultural factors that set them apart.

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    Posted by appletrees on Sunday August 23, 2009 at 3:22 PM