Ponyboy has a more realistic view on the world.  This is because on page 36, Ponyboy, “Even if they did have their own troubles, 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.” The Socs have new things while Ponyboy and the greasers have it hard. They do not have all the new things like the Socs, such as the cars and clothes.

            Another piece of evidence is on page 11, Ponyboy, “Dally had no specific thing to hate. Only Socs. And you can’t win against them no matter how hard you try, because they’ve got all the breaks and even whipping them isn’t going to change that fact. Maybe that was why Dallas was so bitter.” The Socs don’t get in trouble, it’s always the greasers that get in trouble. In the book the greasers always get jumped by the Socs and the Socs never get in trouble.

            Cherry disagrees by saying on page 34, “I’ll bet you think the Socs have it made. The rich kids, the West-side Socs. I’ll tell you something, Ponyboy, and it may come to you as a surprise. WE have troubles you’ve never even heard of. You want to know something?” She looked me straight in the eye, “Things are rough all over.” However, the greasers have things worse than anything because they are broke, can’t walk alone without being jumped, cannot get that good of grades, and much more. The Socs get good grades and can walk alone, also have more money.  In conclusion Ponyboy has a more realistic view on the world.