Role in The Outsiders
The switchblade is carried by most greasers, as well as some Socs - the Soc who jumps Ponyboy in the beginning of The Outsiders cuts his neck with a switchblade before being chased away by Pony's gang.
Who has the switchblade in the outsiders?
Two-Bit's switchblade is his most prized possession and, in several ways, represents the disregard for authority for which greasers traditionally pride themselves.
Why does Ponyboy carry a switchblade?
He was badly beaten by some Socs in the past, and the experience upset and scared him. He wants to be able to fight back if it happens again. Later, he kills a Soc named Bob with the switchblade to stop him from killing Ponyboy.
