Here's the breakdown:
* Ponyboy's perception: Ponyboy and his friends see the Socs as rich, spoiled, and arrogant. They believe the Socs have everything, and they resent the Socs for their perceived privilege and their mistreatment of greasers.
* Reality: When Ponyboy meets Cherry, a Soc, he learns that they are not all the same. Cherry is intelligent, thoughtful, and feels trapped by the expectations of her social group. She even admits that the Socs have their own problems, saying, "It's not just the greasers who get jumped, you know."
* Irony: The irony lies in the fact that Ponyboy, and the greasers in general, have a one-dimensional view of the Socs, assuming they are all rich and carefree. In reality, even the Socs face challenges and struggles, revealing that wealth and social status don't necessarily guarantee happiness.
This irony serves to highlight the book's main theme of misunderstanding and prejudice. The greasers and Socs are more alike than they realize, and the conflict between them stems from a lack of understanding and communication.