Thank god I'm nothing like Dally. “His eyes were blue, blazing eyes, cold with a hatred of the whole world” (10, 2). He wasn't all bad, and even earned some respect among many, but he certainly had a reputation for getting into trouble. Dallas Winston was very negative about most things, but I guess, given his upbringing, it's not that surprising. His parents didn't care if he was dead or alive. He said this didn't bother him, but maybe it did.
My life, on the other hand, has a lot going for it. I certainly don't hate living, and I have a fairly optimistic view of the world. I have folks who can be unreasonable at times, but offer support and heaps of opportunities, and put a lot of effort into making sure I'm alive and well. I've never been involved in any criminal activities or kept bad company. My life seems secure and simple, though, like most other people, it sometimes gets complicated.
Dally seemed insecure, as if he needed to prove himself all the time. He hid his emotions behind a wall of toughness and bullying, yet he did have a soft and principled side. This was illustrated when Cherry Valance threw a Coke at him in the movie house. Based on his behavior previously in the book, it could be expected that he would try to get back at her, but Johnny influenced him to stop. If it had been anyone else, “Dally would have flattened him without a moment's hesitation. You just didn't tell Dallas Winston what to do” (24, 8). He clearly had a soft spot for Johnny because he listened to what he said.
I think that Dally is a bit more of a hero than I am, though I've never had a good opportunity to prove this. When I come to peoples' aid, it's rarely very dramatic. I've never saved anyone's life, but I do chores around the house and help my siblings with their homework. Dally didn't often help others in this regular way.
When Dally was being heroic, he wasn't always trusted. Around the middle of the book, he penetrated the walls of a burning church to save Ponyboy and Johnny from burning to death. When Dally “swore at (Ponyboy) and clubbed (him) across the back as hard as he could” (93,3), Ponyboy thought maybe Dally was infuriated with him for going into the church in the first place, when actually his back had been on fire.
After seeing Johnny die, Dally had a death wish. He robbed a grocery store and pointed an unloaded gun at the police, who promptly shot him. Ponyboy “knew he would be dead, because Dally Winston wanted to be dead and he always got what he wanted” (154, 2). All of this seems so foreign to me because I've never had a close friend die and my wishes are to stay breathing for a long while yet.
The whole life that Dally had was dangerous, and unforgiving. I have a wonderful life in comparison.
