Chapter 1

Ponyboy leaves a movie alone and reflects on his appearance, love of books and films, and differences from his brothers Darry and Sodapop. He explains the Greaser–Soc divide and the pressure to avoid trouble since their parents died. Near home, a red Corvair of Socs corners him.

Five Socs pin Ponyboy, threaten to cut his hair, and beat him until shouts from the approaching Greasers scatter them. Darry hauls Ponyboy up, Soda tends his cut, and the gang regroups. Ponyboy describes each member—Steve, Two-Bit, Dallas, and Johnny—detailing their reputations, strengths, and wounds, especially Johnny’s prior brutal beating by Socs.

Darry scolds Ponyboy for walking alone and not carrying a blade; Soda defends Ponyboy and Darry relents. The gang makes plans: Dally invites Ponyboy and Johnny to the Nightly Double; Steve and Soda have dates; Two-Bit might join later. Casual talk reveals Dally’s breakup with Sylvia and the boys’ views on girls.

At home, Ponyboy studies Great Expectations, relating Pip’s shame to Greaser stigma and recalling a classmate calling him a hood. He ponders the justice of their troubles and the Socs’ privilege while Darry, exhausted from roofing work, relaxes under Soda’s back rub.

In bed, Soda reassures Ponyboy that Darry cares and shares hopes to marry Sandy after better work. Ponyboy remains unconvinced, privately insisting Darry doesn’t love him, even as he recognizes he’s lying to himself about not caring. He falls asleep uneasy, haunted by the attack and class divide.