Appearances

The theme judging people based on appearances is shown in the first couple of chapters in various ways. One way is when the Socs were jumping Ponyboy in the beginning of the book. The Socs kept making fun of Ponyboy's greasy long hair and asking if he wanted a haircut.

Like when Ponyboy and Johnny meet Cherry at the movies they really connected but at the end of the chapter Cherry said, "..If I see you in the hall at school or someplace and don't say hi, well, it's not personal or anything..." When Cherry said this she was definitely thinking about how it would ruin her reputation as a Soc cheerleader if she was seen talking to a Greaser.

Judging.