Describe at least two members of the Socs and their characterization in The Outsiders.

The first Soc that the reader learns much about is Sherri Valence. She goes by the name Cherry because of her long red hair. It quickly becomes apparent that Cherry can handle herself when she encounters Dallas Winston at the movies. Dallas is attempting to get a reaction from the girls by talking dirty and putting his feet on Cherry's seat. She turns around and says, "Take your feet off my chair and shut your trap." She is feisty and intuitive and sees right away that Dallas is trouble but that Johnny and Ponyboy are harmless. Cherry has a long conversation with Ponyboy and they learn from each other that both sides, Greasers and Socs, have problems. She is unusual in that she spends so much time with Ponyboy. Although her Soc boyfriend was killed, she acts as a sort of spy for the Greasers because she wants things to be fair. Cherry wants the fighting to end, and she seems to see the good in people.
Randy Adderson is another Soc that Ponyboy learns about. At first, Randy fits Cherry's view of Socs not caring much about anything. Randy is with the other Socs when Johnny stabs and kills Bob, Randy's best friend. In a newspaper article, Randy admits that Johnny killed Bob out of self defense. This allows Ponyboy to see that regardless of social class and side of town, there are decent people on both sides. Randy admits he finds it hard to believe that a Greaser would risk his life to save the children in the burning church. He is beginning to see the Greasers differently, but he is frustrated and hurt about the loss of his best friend. Ponyboy sees "pain in his eyes" when Randy says he will not participate in the rumble. He questions Ponyboy by saying, "You can't win, you know that, don't you?" He then says, "Greasers will still be greasers and Socs will still be Socs." Randy struggles with the continuous fighting. When he visits Ponyboy at home, it becomes apparent that Randy is continuing to grow when he says, "It's the first time I've felt anything in a long time." He feels remorse for his role in Bob's death, mainly because of how it affects his father. In the end, Randy is honest and genuinely concerned about others.

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