Pony box getting jumped

• • The scene episode in SE. Hinton's book "The Outsiders," where Johnny murders Bob,

  represents a dramatic shift in both the plot and the lives of the characters. Johnny

  made the decision to carry a switchblade as a direct result of a past horrific event in

  which he was severely physically and psychologically damaged after being viciously

  attacked and beaten by a bunch of Socs. He was scared after this and felt compelled

  to defend himself at all costs.
• When Ponyboy and Johnny, members of the less fortunate Greasers gang, are insulted by

  the Socs, a band of affluent and privileged youths, the argument in the parking lot quickly

  gets out of hand. For a considerable amount of time, the two groups have been under

  conflict due to their disparate social backgrounds and shared contempt. The Socs'

  disparaging comments about the Greasers, referring to them as "white trash with long

  hair,

  cause the. Greasers to sharply respond, mocking the Socs as

  "white trash with

  mustangs and madras,

  'emphasising the difference between them
• When Bob, one of the Socs, tries to drown Ponyboy in a fountain, things become really

  bad. Johnny responds to the impending (approaching) danger to his friend's life in the

  only way he feels capable of-by stabbing Bob with a switchblade. His actions are

  motivated by both pure terror and the need to survive. Even though Johnny and Ponyboy

  are acting in self-defense, this violent act starts a series of circumstances that drive them

  to leave their hometown after they realise staying there could result in their arrest and

  even imprisonment.
• Johnny's admission,

  "I killed him," underscores the gravity of the situation and his

  awareness of the consequences of his actions, even though they were driven by the need

  to protect himself and Ponyboy.