This 'life isn't fair' theme is prevalent throughout the book and concerns the issue of inclusion versus exclusion, of fitting in. Pony and the rest of the greasers must deal with the hardship in their own lives, while the Socs enjoy all the advantages of class privilege. Someone who always feels like an outsider may conclude that life is unfair. Not like the Socs, who jump greasers and wreck houses and throw beer blasts for kicks.' Ponyboy says of the greasers, 'We're poorer than the Socs and the middle class. To an outsider, West-side life can look very appealing, but it is unappreciated by the Socs who live there. The East Side greasers are 'outsiders' to the West side of town, the 'rich' side.

Life from an outsider's perspective is not only one of the main themes, but the one for which the novel is named.ДЄn outsider sees things differently than someone who is directly involved in a way of life. Whether someone defines himself or herself as an outsider or insider depends on his or her personal perspective or viewpoint. Many of the characters feel like outsiders and believe that life isn't fair to them, but the novel shows that the reality is a matter of perspective. The first chapter introduces three major themes immediately.ДЄn outsider's view. The narration of this story by a 14-year-old boy allows for the novel to be written in an easy-to-read format. Ponyboy's two brothers, Darry and Sodapop, along with their four other gang members, chase the Socs away Ponyboy escapes with cuts and bruises. As he attempts to fend off his attackers, Ponyboy hears the pounding of footsteps and the attack turns into an all-out fight as his gang arrives to rescue him from the Socs' attack. Ponyboy explains that the gangs are 'just small bunches of friends who stick together, and the warfare is between the social classes.'ДЄs if foreshadowing Ponyboy's own poor decision to walk alone, a carload of four Socs arrives, and one pulls a knife on him. The Socs, short for Socials, are 'the jet set, the West-side rich kids,' who are from upper-middle-class families. Walking home alone is dangerous because the rival gang, the Socs, could easily attack him. Greasers are known for their long, greased hair.

He explains to the reader that he is a greaser, a term 'used to class all us boys on the East Side,' which is the poor side of town. All of the members come from dysfunctional homes and need the gang relationship as a substitute for what is missing in their own families.ДЄs Ponyboy walks home alone after going to a movie, he realizes the inherent danger of doing so.

The brothers consider their gang members - Steve Randle, Two-Bit Mathews, Dallas Winston, and Johnny Cade - to be family. The authorities allow the three brothers to stay together as long as they 'behave.' Ponyboy resents Darry and the total control that he attempts to wield over his life he views their relationship as adversarial and looks to Sodapop for understanding and love. Ponyboy is the youngest at 14, Sodapop is 16, and Darry is 20. Ponyboy's parents were killed in an automobile accident, leaving him and his two brothers on their own. He also describes the relationships between his gang members, and the relationships within his own family. In the first chapter, Ponyboy introduces himself and gives a brief history of his family. The story is placed in Oklahoma during the 1960s. The Outsiders is narrated by the main character, Ponyboy Curtis.

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