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Absolutely. It has always been believed that the oldest brother is the responsable for the others, as Darry in this case. I can relate with some of my friends who are the oldest siblings and are the most responsable ones, they are the ones who take care of their brothers or sisters, perhaps unconsciously, but they behave somehow as a shelter for their siblings, they show them the experience of being older, how responsability works and younger brothers or sisters comprehend that role that create a bond.
In the case of Sodapop, the middle brother he is more relaxed and social that Darry, since in a way he knows that Darry has his back and Ponyboy's. Ponyboy is the youngest, he is beginning to understand how street works and society, and of course he makes mistakes. He suffers because he has a difficult time understanding that Darry expresses himself the way he does- toughly and hardly showing his feelings- because of what happened with the accident of their parents, since Darry was the oldest one and more conscious at the time of the accident, his way of protecting himself was to lock down and not showing any feeling, and behave as a father to their brothers, but mostly to Ponyboy.

Doncelli, Mara.

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While we are growing we construct our personalities and desires. The Socs and Greasers are different because of their social status but not so different when it comes to adolescence and the change of hormons.  At that time and today we as human beings need to demonstrate that the rich are better just because they can access to a different whole world and the poor are those that are not allow to belong. Society agrees. Pony can see this with Cherry in the exact moment when her rich and drunk boyfriend come to pick up her and she says to Pony not to talk to her at school and that he understands why. Pony, without any hesitation, said Yes. He knows that the social status issue, at that moment, was imposible to change.

It has not purpose at all, because rich or not, they are adolescents and the social status should not change any situation. But people creates their own rules and groups.

The disadvantages are many but mainly how they hurt each other, not only physically but mentally. Young boys that at the age of 13 are constantly being corrupted by others just because. An extreme situation take them to realize that money does not change anything. It has no purpose at all to hurt other just because it is funny or give them power. Socs and Greasers life are the same but different.

Gambetta, Antonella

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Ponyboy's perceptions about his brother Darry and the Greaser Dally change along the course of the novel. On one side, the reason is the growth of Ponyboy and how little by little he gets mature. On the other side, this change of perceptions happens when Ponyboy sees his brother crying for him at the hospital, as a proof that Darry does not want to lose his brother and how much he cares about him. Furthermore, he realized that Darry has to replace the role of their parents, realizing that it requires such an important role and responsibilities.

In the case of Dally, the turning point is when Ponyboy realizes that he cares about the gang and he advises Jhonny in order that he would not have to go to jail.  At this moment Darry considers that Dally went to jail when he was a kid and he has to face difficult situations.

Micaela Atim

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the story sends a message of stereotypes, it represents the two groups as binary opposite, and a quarrel beyond any comprehension
Pony and cherry had a talk, in which she explains to him that not all socs are like bob, and not like all greasers are not like dally. She tells him that socs have their troubles, too, but Ponyboy cannot understand that and thinks about what worries a soc might have.

In his mind money could fix any complication, so he is not able to get, why the Socs are not happy and wander around chasing the greasers

Florencia Cáceres

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After the days Ponyboy and Johnny spent in the church, they learnt not only about each other, but also about themselves. Ponyboy used to think his brother Darry didn't love him or even like him at all. He had this perception because Darry was strict and cold. However, Pony changed his mind little by little. The turning point for him to realize that his oldest brother did love him was when, after the accident in the church, he saw Darry crying at the hospital. That day he understood his brother acted the way he did because he cared about him and he didn't want to lose him as they lost their parents. Besides, after their parents' death, he had to take their responsibilities, taking care of his brothers and having two jobs.
The same happened with one the Greasers; Dally. He was the one Ponyboy liked the least because he thought he was tough and insensitive. This perception changed after a conversation he had with him and Johnny. That day Dally showed them how he cared about them and how he didn't want Johnny to go to jail as he did. Pony realized that he was the way he was because he spent his whole life in the streets and went to jail when he was just a kid.
Because of all that, I think that the one who changed was Ponyboy. He started to see beyond what he was blinded to see before.

Toledo, Daiara.

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Based on the context of the novel, I think their personalities match their birth order. Darry has that personality because he is in charge of his brothers due to the death of their parents. He has two jobs and leads the life of an adult. Soda has a totally carefree life, he is not in charge of a family like Darry. Pony is a teenager, he has a relationship with his brother Soda, since he has fun and they think in a similar way, however, he doesn't feel a connection with his brother Darry, he doesn't see the effort he makes to keep them together, he sees it as someone very different from him.
I relate to the role of Darry, as I am the oldest of my siblings. Having the responsibility of taking care of them and growing up faster made me distance myself from them at some point while we were growing up.

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From my point of view there exist different reasons why we separate in different groups. We are constructing our personality, who we are and who we want to be when we do this. We want to be related to people who share our same values, costumes and interests. As we are social beings there are times in which we need contact with others and contention which can be provided by the group we belong to. We can observe this in the story, in which the different "gangs" besides providing what I mentioned before, they protect each other from possible agressions by other groups. The disadvantages of the creation of these groups is that there can be rivalries between these, and therefore, violence can show up .
Julián Castaño.

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I think that the one who changed was Ponyboy, after the accident and the days he spent at the church he grew up fast and understood many things. At the beginning of the story, Pony was angry most of the time and he could not understand why Darry treated him so bad, but then he realized that Darry was just a young boy trying to take their parents role. Besides, Pony noticed how much Darry loved him when he started to cry at the hospital. Pony understood that Darry treated him in that way because he was concerned about his little brother.
Ponyboy started to respect Dallas when he decided to help him and Johnny with no hesitation. Besides, when Dally was taking Johnny and Ponyboy back to the East Side, he said that he did not want Johnny to be in jail and suffer like he did, so Ponyboy realized that Dallas was also a young guy who suffered a lot and that he did care for the rest of the gang.

Rios, Julieta.

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I think sunsets and sunrises stand for the idea of sameness in a way. Even if Greasers and Socs have very different lives, in the end, they all still being human beings and adolescents living in a society that imposes those differences.
Grasers are the East side boys , the poor part of the city , where the lack of opportunities makes inequality a reality for them. They found in the gang the family they did not find at home.
Socs are from the wealthy part of the city, and their reality is another one, at least their economic situation allows them to live comfortably and gives them a higher status in society and due to it they have more benefits than the Greasers.
Although their differences, Ponyboy, Cherry and Johny realize that they all are below the same sky and seeing the same sunsets and sunrises, they all have problems and deal with them all days.
I believe that is what they taught in a week, that those differences were something imposed by the places and realities they were designed to live, but that above all, they still being teens struggling with life the best way they could.

Zacarias, Micaela

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'"Can you see the sunset real good from the west side? You can see it good from the east side, too."': Ponyboy poses this question to Cherry Valance, a Soc girl who he realizes is not so different from him after all. This leads him to the conclusion that Greasers and Socs may have many differences, but they share those differences within the same world. In this quote we can notice social inequality which include social acceptance of roles, stereotyping and economic disparity do not have  sense because we all have the same opportunities to improve in our lives, it does not matter how much money do you have. The disadvantages to divide up society into classes or groups are many. One of them, is that Inequality as it goes along with weaker social bonds between people, which in turn makes health and social problems more likely. Some people justify discrimination using as excuse the division of social groups, it also create barriers  that do not have sense.

Blanco,Laura

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1. Socs and Greasers are separate groups based on many things—background, neighborhoods, and beliefs. Why do you think people divide themselves up in a society? What purpose does it serve? What are the disadvantages?

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1. Socs and Greasers are separate groups based on many things—background, neighborhoods, and beliefs. Why do you think people divide themselves up in a society? What purpose does it serve? What are the disadvantages?

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2. Darry is the oldest, Soda is a middle child, and Pony is the youngest. Do you think their personalities match their birth order? Which of the brothers’ roles do you relate to most, and why?

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2. Darry is the oldest, Soda is a middle child, and Pony is the youngest. Do you think their personalities match their birth order? Which of the brothers’ roles do you relate to most, and why?

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For many years, society has assumed that older brothers and sisters should act as role models for their younger siblings. Also, they should be more responsible, hard working, mature and over protective.

I believe that the characters’ personalities match their birth order because Darry is very hard and strict with Ponyboy, he is always protecting him. But, he loves Ponyboy and wants the best for him. On the other hand, we may find Sodapop, who is charming and popular. He is the middle child, he is rebellious but friendly. Finally, there is Ponyboy. He is clever, emotional and immature, he does not use his head.

I relate to Darry because I am an older sister too. Sometimes I feel the pressure of “being the older one” just like him. It is not easy due to the fact that everything relies on us. We must do, we must say, we must act… But, from time to time, it is great. They learn from us and we learn from them.

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The personalities of the brothers match their birth order.

Darry assumed the father's role when he took over the responsibility of guardianship, forfeiting college and working to enable the three of them to stay together.

Sodapop, the middle brother, has dropped out of school and is working to help the family. He acts as a middle brother trying to please everyone, which is why people love him. He also serves as Darry's partner in Ponyboy's education and support.

Ponyboy is the youngest brother and acts in a disregarded way.

I relate most with the character of Soda because I am the middle sister in my family of origin. Furthermore, I provide support and help to my children.

Mariana San Miguel

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We have been socially accustomed that the oldest child is the most responsible one and the kindest, the middle child is less responsible and less kindest and the youngest one... better not say anything. Even though sometimes it might be true, it might not. In my case, this match is true.

Personally, I am the 1st child of 3. I do feel identified with Darry's role because I have been given the role of protector, the role of always being through-and-through and the role model for my younger siblings.

It should not be taken as something bad or even as a pressure but as a responsibility in which you will learn many things such as loving, sharing, being fair and of course being a better person and human being.

I am truly sure that being the oldest brother might not be an easy task. But it is true that you will have moments of true happiness in which you will feel fulfilled and grateful.

Castillo, Alexander

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Question 3:  Sorrentino Agustina`s answer

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Question 3:  Sorrentino Agustina`s answer

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Throughout the story, stereotypes are present because they characterise the two social groups (the Greasers and the socs), i.e. the lower and upper classes of a New York City. These two social classes are characterised, as is still the case today, as ill-mannered, gangster, and dirty, the poor, and the rich as banal people who get everything they want without effort and without worries.

When these two realities intersect and are given a chance to get to know each other, they may find more in common than they imagined. That's the case for Ponyboy and Cherry, who manage to cross those barriers and realise that sunsets and sunrises are the same on both the east and west sides of the city. Both groups have deep feelings, both want to belong, both have family problems, both feel neglected by society. While the Socs have everything they want, they are neglected by their families and seek refuge in the streets, drugs, and alcohol. Meanwhile, the greasers also struggle with parental abuse (Johnny's case) or the lack of adults to take responsibility for them.

I think that the most relevant thing about this book is that years go by and teenagers still feel identified with the story.

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3. What message does the story send about stereotypes? What do Ponyboy and Cherry discover about stereotypes in their community? Do you think this is still true today?

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3. What message does the story send about stereotypes? What do Ponyboy and Cherry discover about stereotypes in their community? Do you think this is still true today?

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4. What do sunsets and sunrises represent in the novel? When are they mentioned, and which three characters talk about them? (Why those three?)

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4. What do sunsets and sunrises represent in the novel? When are they mentioned, and which three characters talk about them? (Why those three?)

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Sunsets and sunrises stand in for beauty and goodness in the world, especially when Johnny compares the gold in the poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay" to the gold in Ponyboy's favorite sunrises and sunsets. For me,the sunset also symbolizes the common bond of all individuals, regardless of the gang to which they belong. Cherry and Ponyboy discover this during their first talk at the drive-in when they discuss how they enjoy the same sunset from different parts of town.
Claudia Pontillo

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I believe sunrises and sunsets are a symbolic representation of unity among the characters, mainly between Ponyboy and Johnny, and the beauty of the world in front of their eyes.

One case where this can be seen is at the beginning  when Cherry and Pony discuss how they enjoy the view of the sunset even though they are watching it from different places. Another example is at the poem portion, where Johnny and him talk about it again, and how they gain a new perspective of the world in front of them.

I think this whole representation is a key point for the development of the main character. A turning point where he realises that striving for his own happiness is not a bad thing, and that using sunsets as a metaphor for all the good things that are waiting in life beyond of what they can see, it's beautiful.

Méndez, Florencia

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Sunrises and sunsets represent humanity and connection. The characters that talk about them are PonyBoy, Cherry and Johnny.

Sunsate: The first reference to the sunset as a symbol of connection can be seen in chapter 3. In this chapter PonyBoy, Johnny and Two Bit accompanied Cherry and Marcia, the Soc girls, to their homes after having met them at the drive-in.

Along the way, Ponyboy and Cherry had a conversation where they talked about many interesting things, and in this way, Pony realized that they can really have things in common and be connected despite belonging to different groups in society. Ponyboy used the sunset as a reference to that connection, as they can both see the same sunsets despite being in different places and situations. “Maybe the two different worlds we lived in weren't so different. We saw the same sunset.”

Sunrise: We can see the first reference to sunrise as a symbol of connection in chapter 5. In this chapter Ponyboy and Johnny fled after the murder of Bob, one of the Socs, and hid in the church of a field called Windrixville in the hope of not being captured.

After a few days, Ponyboy woke up one morning and saw the sunrise next to Johnny.

They both talked about the sunrise, its beauty, and that its golden hue does not last forever. Ponyboy recited a part of a poem "Nothing can stay gold" giving the impression that he felt that way. They both agreed with that feeling.

At that moment there was a connection between them, as they were able to talk about deep topics like poems and the beauty of sunrises, things that the members of the Greasers do not normally do with each other.

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5. How have Ponyboy and Johnny changed after their time away from the gang while hiding out at the church? What do you think each of them learned about life in that week?

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5. How have Ponyboy and Johnny changed after their time away from the gang while hiding out at the church? What do you think each of them learned about life in that week?

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7. Why do you think Johnny decides to turn himself in? Why was Dally upset by this news? Do you think that if Johnny and Ponyboy's actions were switched, if Ponyboy would have turned himself in? Why or why not? 

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7. Why do you think Johnny decides to turn himself in? Why was Dally upset by this news? Do you think that if Johnny and Ponyboy's actions were switched, if Ponyboy would have turned himself in? Why or why not? 

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6. Ponyboy’s perceptions about his brother Darry, and the Greaser Dally, change over the course of these chapters. What was the turning point for Ponyboy in realizing Darry loved him? When did he come to respect Dally? What caused the changes? (Did Darry & Dally change, or did Ponyboy change?)

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6. Ponyboy’s perceptions about his brother Darry, and the Greaser Dally, change over the course of these chapters. What was the turning point for Ponyboy in realizing Darry loved him? When did he come to respect Dally? What caused the changes? (Did Darry & Dally change, or did Ponyboy change?)

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From my point of view, people divide themselves into different social groups due to the need to build a social identity belonging to a group of subjects with whom they can feel identified culturally, ideologically, economically, socially, politically, morally and others. The bond they have is based on what they share in common including experiences, values, and personal stories. For example, the Socs are presented by the protagonist in the novel, differentiating them from his group who are called by the Greasers, grouping them according to their common characteristics. They are rich young people who live on the west side, who jump, annoy and punish the rival group, destroy houses, disturb society and other aspects.

The disadvantages of forming part of a social group is that sometimes one may not agree with some acts or thoughts that the rest of the members have and for fear of losing this feeling of community and union, he or she loses their role as an individual silencing their voice, thoughts and ideas.