The Outsiders: symbolism ****

Symbolism, the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. S.E Hinton used a few symbols in her novel The Outsiders to represent abstract ideas. There are two symbols that stand out the most, cars and Two-Bit’s switchblade. Cars seem to represent the Socs’ strength, power and authority. They use their cars as protection unlike the greasers who are always on foot and the only protection they have are each other. Also, the socs flaunt their cars to the greasers to make them feel lowly about themselves. Considering the greasers work on cars, most likely know more about them and unfortunately have to work on the socs cars’ at some point. Lastly, the cars mostly represent the socs wealth and they believe having money makes them untouchable. The second symbol is Two-Bit’s switchblade. Two-Bit is the joking greaser who is a shoplifter and is always making nasty remarks towards the socs, causing most of the hatred between the two groups. His stolen switchblade has a sleek black handle and is the most valuable item he owns. All the greasers value the switchblade because it exemplifies the pride they have in being rule breakers and doing what they want. The switchblade to the greasers is like the cars to the socials. With the switchblade in possession, Two-Bit feels a sense of authority, power and strength and protected and prepared for anything. The symbolism is validated when the night of the rumble, the biggest battle between the socials and greasers, Dally is in the hospital and asked Two-Bit for his switchblade. Dally is going to use the switchblade to escape from the hospital and join his fellow greasers at the rumble fully equipped. Sadly when Two-Bit misplaces the switchblade it is confiscated by the police and Dally tragically dies. The symbolism is supported in this scene because it represents protection and when it is lost Dally dies. It shows that with the switchblade the greasers feel protected and without it they are lost and scared. The switchblade makes them feel safer and stronger; it’s a reliable source of protection when desperately needed.