What is August's Pocketknife?

August’s pocketknife symbolizes her character’s desire to protect herself from emotional pain. At the beginning of the novel, August is reticent to develop meaningful relationships out of fear of not being wanted. She believes that being cautious and prepared for rejection will save her from emotional pain. As August develops a relationship with Jane, and befriends her roommates, she stops carrying her knife. Her neglect to keep the switchblade on her signals her shifting mentality toward connection and growing ability to let down her guard to form meaningful relationships.