What does Ponyboy say he would rather have than pity?

In Chapter 11, Ponyboy is looking through one of Sodapop's old yearbooks and comes across a picture of Bob Sheldon. Ponyboy looks at Bob's picture and begins to wonder what kind of person he was. Ponyboy starts to look at Bob from a different perspective and questions whether he was a genuine person. Ponyboy then thinks about Bob's parents and wonders if they hate the Greasers. He then mentions that he hopes Bob's parents hated...

In Chapter 11, Ponyboy is looking through one of Sodapop's old yearbooks and comes across a picture of Bob Sheldon. Ponyboy looks at Bob's picture and begins to wonder what kind of person he was. Ponyboy starts to look at Bob from a different perspective and questions whether he was a genuine person. Ponyboy then thinks about Bob's parents and wonders if they hate the Greasers. He then mentions that he hopes Bob's parents hated the Greasers instead of having pity for them. Ponyboy then comments,

"I'd rather have anybody's hate than their pity" (Hinton 18).

The reason Ponyboy would rather have someone's hate than their pity is because he is a prideful individual. As a Greaser, Ponyboy has a reputation as a tough, intimidating person. Despite the fact that he is poor and doesn't share all of the advantages that the Socs have, he is still a proud person and doesn't want anyone's pity.