Susan Eloise Hinton’s coming-of-age novel, The Outsiders, expresses the theme of

inequality in society that leads to conflict. The Greasers and the Socs live separate lives. The
Socs live in luxury on the Westside, while the Greasers live off theft and “drive old souped-up
cars” (Hinton 4). This clearly shows that the two gangs are in different social classes, or one
would say, they live polar opposite lives. With two different backgrounds that spread in opposite
directions on the spectrum, one side is at an advantage over the other. One side is the Socs.
They are privileged enough to use their parents’ wealth and reputation to get out of difficulties.
On the other side, the Greasers aren’t that privileged and deal with all the trouble they face.
With the privileges and advantages the Socs have, it becomes unfair for the Greasers. Thus,
the Greasers would naturally start a conflict over the inequality they come across. Not only is it
the socioeconomic status that divides the community, but it is also the stereotypes and
assumptions made. In the conversation between Ponyboy, the main protagonist, and Cherry
Valance, a Socs girl, she mentions, “You greasers have a different set of values. You're more
emotional. We're sophisticated--- cool to the point of not feeling anything. Nothing is real with
us” (Hinton 46). Cherry is implying that the Greasers are more emotional, while the Socs feel
nothing. This description of the two gangs is based on stereotypes made to provoke hatred,
annoyance, and tension that keep the cycle of violence going. Most of the conflict between the
two is a part of that cycle. The Socs and the Greasers will keep making assumptions and
stereotypes because of past conflict that is still vividly living in their minds. Which results in more
conflict and discrimination that could potentially kill someone. Resembling, the incident where
Johnny was jumped by the Socs and was on the brink of death. The Socs “had threatened him
with everything under the sun” (Hinton 42). Now he never walks alone and carries a switchblade
in his back pocket. In other words, Johnny had been jumped by some Socs that almost killed
him and it traumatized him for life. From this experience, Johnny acts and thinks differently.
Ponyboy would describe Johnny after the incident as “jumpier than ever” (Hinton 43). Johnny is
now more anxious and nervous, which reflects on his actions of not walking alone and carrying
a switchblade for protection. The reason behind this is that Johnny knows that the Socs will
come back and try to provoke him or the Greasers will get back at them. However, even if the
Greasers fight back, they can’t compete with the numerous privileges the Socs have. This
inequality in the community limits what the Greasers, or underprivileged, can do because the
Socs, or privileged, will most likely win. The endless amount of inequality shown by status and
stereotypes will always be the evident cause of the cycle of violence between the Socs and the
Greasers.