What is the significance of Ponyboy's statement about the Socs' worries in The Outsiders?
"I really couldn't see what Socs would have to sweat about—good grades, good cars, good girls, madras and Mustangs and Corvairs—Man, I thought, if I had worries like that I'd consider myself lucky. I know better now."
This quote occurs very early in the book The Outsiders, at the end of chapter 2 while Ponyboy and Johnny are sitting at the drive-in theater with the Soc girls, Marcia and Cherry. It is significant because it foreshadows the events to come later in the novel. This sentence foreshadows how events that occur later lead Ponyboy to discover that despite having money, the Socs have problems of their own.
An example of this occurs after Bob's death when Randy asks to talk privately with Ponyboy and tells Ponyboy he is not going to participate in the rumble, and that Bob acted the way he did simply to try to get "someone to tell him 'NO'" (Hinton p116) because his parents had spoiled him his entire life. Afterwards, Randy goes on to explain that its tough for the Socs because they have to keep up a certain appearance to...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
fit in, such as participating in the rumble. He goes on to say "I'm a marked chicken if I punk out at the rumble, and I'd hate myself if I didn't." (Hinton p117). It is at this point that Ponyboy realizes the difficulties and pressures of fitting in with Soc society, and tells the reader "I remembered Cherry's voice Things are rough all over. I knew then what she meant" (Hinton p117). This shows how Ponyboy comes to the realization that Soc life is more than just "Mustangs and Corvairs" and that the Socs have problems of their own just like the greasers.
Hope this helps!
In The Outsiders, what does Ponyboy think the Socs have to worry about?
As a lower-class Greaser, Pony initially feels that the Socs have nothing significant to worry about other than possibly getting their names in the local paper for being a public disgrace. Unlike the Greasers, who get all the rough breaks, the Socs hail from affluent families, and the law is always on their side. Since the Socs have money and reside in the nicer part of town, the authorities seem to always give them breaks. Despite causing trouble and being public nuisances, the Socs seem to avoid criticism and jail time because of their upper-class status, wealth, and influence.
As the novel progresses, Pony becomes friends with Cherry Valance, who is a Soc cheerleader. Pony gains significant insight into the life of a Soc member from speaking with Cherry, and she explains that being a Soc is like participating in one big rat race. Cherry explains that Socs experience a lot of peer pressure to keep up with appearances and admits that she is rather lonely because most Socs are aloof and callous. When Pony matures and gains perspective, he realizes that being a Soc can be just as difficult as being a Greaser and discovers that Socs have many things to worry about.