Chapter 3 - Things are Rough All Over

Social Class refers to people having the same social, economic 
or educational status.

In your journal, record your thoughts about social class and stereotypes. How would most people describe the Greasers and the Socs in terms of social status, economic status and educational status?

• social status: How do other members of society perceive them in general?
• economic status: How would you describe their income or financial situation? 
• educational status: How much education did they receive? What are their general attitudes and thoughts about education?

​Prompt: Ponyboy believes the Socs get all the breaks while Cherry believes things are rough all over. Between Ponyboy and Cherry, who do you believe has a more realistic outlook on the world? Write for 5-10 lines explaining your thinking. Be sure to use specific examples to support your claim.

"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." (Ponyboy, page 11)

"Cherry no longer looked sick, only sad. '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.'" (page 34)

"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." (Ponyboy, page 36)