Character Analysis Of Dally In 'The Outsiders' By S. E. Hinton

Dallas “Dally” Winston is a truly amazing character in the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Coming from a household where he wasn’t cared for or wanted, he’s become impervious to any kind of emotional punishment. "Shoot, my old man don't give a hang whether I'm in jail or dead in a car wreck or drunk in the gutter. That don't bother me none." (Hinton 78) At least, that’s what all the Greasers thought before Johnny, the only thing in the world Dally had ever loved, died in a hospital bed from wounds that he sustained when he and Ponyboy saved a group of children from a burning church. "’We gotta win that fight tonight,’ Dally said. His voice was hard. ‘We gotta get even with the Socs. For Johnny.’” (Hinton 125) Johnny’s death was the final

“”He was jerked half around by the bullets, then slowly crumpled with a look of grim triumph on his face.” (Hinton 154) As the closest people Dally had to a family, The Greasers would probably become more and more protective of him, always keeping someone watching him. The most sensible thing to do would be to have Sodapop quit his job at the gas station and become Dally’s personal babysitter. Of course, this wouldn’t sit well with Dally at all, and eventually he would escape and go into hiding until he could finally end his own misery. The Greasers, sick with worry, would start slacking off in school and work and Two-Bit would get caught stealing. As he’s stolen so many things before, Two-Bit would be taken to prison, where Dally’s final plan would take place. As a final sign of bravery, Dally would construct and use a suicide bomber vest to knock out a side of Two-Bit’s jail cell, killing himself but allowing Two-Bit to escape. This would cause Two-Bit to sink into a deep, guilty despair, and if the Socs ever came looking for trouble, he wouldn’t even fight back. Therefore, Two-Bit would die a sad and torturous death, all the while believing that he deserved it for being the cause of Dally’s suicide. On the Soda side of things, being gone from his job for so long would cause large financial problem for him and his brothers. This may draw the attention of boy’s homes, and could

He marries Sherri “Cherry” Valance “She looked at me quickly. ‘I could fall in love with Dallas Winston,’ she said, ‘I hope I never see him again or I will.’” (Hinton 46) and together they open a psychiatric practice for teens to come and work out their issues in a safe, non-violent way. After a few years of that, Cherry becomes pregnant with twin boys who Dally names Ponyboy and Johnny Winston. Dally’s positive influence turns around the lives of The Greasers and causes them to change their outlook on life. Two-Bit learns to stay in line and becomes the most successful cop on the west side, working until he is promoted to police chief. Dally also offers to pay all expenses for Darry, Soda, and Ponyboy, allowing Darry to resume his college education and get his degree. Soda works as a Jr. Counselor for the children at Dally’s firm, lightening their mood before the issues are brought up. Ponyboy writes a slightly different version of The Outsiders and is awarded many awards, becoming a local celebrity and truly living up to his potential. Dally lives a long life and dies at age 79, buried next to his wife of 50 years and is remembered by many Greasers as a hero. “Nobody would write editorials praising Dally. Two friends of mine had died that night: one a hero, the other a hoodlum. But I