Chapter 1

The novel begins with Ponyboy, the narrator, leaving the "darkness of the movie house." He has just seen a Paul Newman film. He describes himself for the reader, physically, and notes his household situation: he lives with his older brothers, Darry and Soda. Their parents were killed in a car accident, and the boys can "stay together only as long as we behave." He also describes his social status, which is that of a "Greaser".

Ponyboy grows nervous that he's walking alone, since Greasers often get jumped by Socs, "the jet set, the West-side rich kids." As soon as he has this thought, a red Corvair starts following him, and he starts sweating and getting scared. Soon he is surrounded by Socs. One of them flips out a knife and asks if Ponyboy needs a haircut; he is overpowered by them, with the knife to his throat, and starts screaming.