In the beginning of Chapter Nine of S. E. Hinton's novel The Outsiders, the greasers are preparing for a rumble against the Socs. Ponyboy tries to determine why each greaser fights. He first questions his brother Sodapop, who responds by saying he likes to fight because fights are "a contest" and are similar to a "drag race." Steve responds that he fights because he has a bitter dislike for the Socs and that he would simply like to "stomp the other guy good." Darry, on the other hand, seems to fight so that he can show off his muscles and Ponyboy relates that Darry enjoyed contests of strength such as "weight-lifting or playing football." For Two-Bit, fighting was just part of life as a greaser. He says, "Shoot, everybody fights." In contrast, Ponyboy admits that he really doesn't like to fight and that fighting should be limited to "self-defense." Because of what happened to Johnny, however, Ponyboy is eager to fight in this rumble in order to "whip the Socs" who had caused so much trouble for the boys. In the end, Ponyboy sums it up: "Soda fought for fun, Steve for hatred, Darry for pride, and Two-Bit for conformity."
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