Ponyboy, Soda, And The Pony Boy: Chapter Summary

“Since Mom and Dad were killed in an auto wreck, the three of us get to stay together as long as we behave” (3).
Explanation:
This important piece of information was given by Ponyboy early in the first chapter. Ponyboy is talking about how he stays out of trouble most of the time because Darry would get extremely upset with him because it might jeopardize their ability to live together. These boy are living on the poor, east side where they are a part of a group of boys called greasers who come from poor, rough backgrounds. The three brothers are handed an unfortunate situation in life where they are completely on their own to go about life, as long as they stay out of trouble.

Response and Analysis: This sentence gives the reader an insight into the origin of the struggles Ponyboy, Soda, and Darry deal with. This traumatic event caused the three brothers to mature rapidly. This turning point in their lives sparked the outstanding relationship the three brothers have with each other. Because of their parents’ deaths, the brothers only have each other to lose, which is why they always have each other’s back. Although their parents died, the brothers seem to be going about their daily lives, for the most part, in a mature way which is a testament to their maturity as human beings.
Explanation: These are the last words in the second chapter. Before, Ponyboy tells the reader about how impossible it seems for the Socs to have real problems, but Ponyboy fires back with the sentence that brings more questions than answers. Ponyboy is essentially saying that eventually he comes to realize that there are real problems associated with being a