Ponyboy is also insightful and extremely intelligent.  Early on, Ponyboys provides details that reveal he does well in school, like his advanced chemistry class and getting good grades, but Ponyboy is more than just a good student--he enjoys knowledge and learning for the sake of education.  He is able to recite the Robert Frost poem to Johnny when they are hiding out in the church, and comments that he only read it once.  Ponyboy frequently uses higher level vocabulary words like "elude" and "fiend" that also reveal his intelligence (78). 

Later, when Ponyboy's grades begin to drop, Soda reminds him that he has a special gift:

"You're not going to drop out. Listen, with your brains and grades you could get a scholarship, and we could put you through college" (173). 

Ponyboy's intelligence defies the greaser stereotype; his natural view of the world through his insightful perspective and voice makes the narration of The Outsiders even more compelling.