Pony fits in with the greasers because they are accepting of him even though he is different.
Pony is not the typical greaser. He likes to watch movies and read, does well in school, and is a track star. He does not enjoy fighting. Despite these differences between him and the typical greaser, Pony is accepted by the greasers. They are his extended family.
Pony explains that greasers are known for wearing their hair long, and for getting into fights and getting in trouble with the law. He says greasers are “wilder” than Socs. However, Pony and his family try to stay out of trouble, and his oldest brother tries to keep them on the straight and narrow.
Since Mom and Dad were killed in an auto wreck, the three of us get to stay together only as long as we behave. So Soda and I stay out of trouble as much as we can, and we're careful not to get caught when we can't. (Ch. 1)
Other than having a strict older brother as his guardian, Pony is different because he is sensitive and deep. The other greasers recognize these differences, and other than sometimes teasing him they are respectful of the way Pony is. The greasers are protective of him because he is different, and because he is young and has his whole life ahead of him. The thought is that Pony can make something of himself, and will not have to always be a greaser.
When it looks like there will be a fight between the Socs and greasers, Two-Bit gives Pony a broken bottle to use as a weapon. A fight is avoided, but he later says he doesn’t know why he would give Pony the bottle. He wouldn’t use it. Later, when preparing for the rumble, Two-Bit again expresses the opinion that Pony should not be fighting.
"Ponyboy, listen, don't get tough. You're not like the rest of us and don't try to be..." (Ch. 12)
This is not an insult. Two-Bit and Johnny both want Pony to make something of himself other than what his greaser friends and family have. They feel that Pony can use his intelligence and drive to get an education and get out of the neighborhood, because he is not fit for this kind of life.
In the title, Pony refers to all of the greasers as outsiders because they are rejected by society. The word “outsider” is plural. However, he is kind of an outsider within his own gang. There are other outsiders of different kinds. Cherry is somewhat of an outsider for the Socs, because she thinks a little differently than they do and is even willing to talk to a greaser. Johnny is an outsider within his family, because he feels that his parents do not care about him and he has no one. All of these outsiders find comfort in each other, even though they are different.
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