Comparing Johnny and Dally in The Outsiders by SE Hinton

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Comparing Johnny and Dally in The Outsiders by SE Hinton Johnny and Dally are both major characters in the novel “The Outsiders” by SE Hinton. “The Outsiders” is a novel about friendship, rivalry, stereotypes, trust and family relationships set in the 1960’s of America. SE Hinton. Describes how two gangs, the Socs and the Greasers get to know each other’s problems in an exciting and nail-biting storyline. Johnny and Dally are both very contrasting characters and each play a vital role in both the novel and Ponyboy’s life. Johnny and Dally are both very contrasting characters in the book; however they do have their similarities. Also, they both look up to each other. In the novel, Johnny is the character that reflects sensitivity and weakness. Johnny is constantly beaten by his father and is ignored by his mother. He has lost many things in life that others may take for granted. A quote from the novel describes Johnny as a “dark puppy that has been kicked too many times and is lost in a crowd of strangers” on page fourteen. Johnny’s soft and delicate personality is evident in that statement, especially when he is referred to a “puppy”. The image of a puppy implies vulnerability, a reflection on Johnny’s personality. Whereas Johnny is the vulnerable spot in the Greasers, Dally is on the other hand, the exact opposite. Dally is cold-hearted and hard, and plays the character of the devil in the novel. A quote from the book describes Dally’s eyes as “blue, blazing ice, cold with the hatred of the whole world” on page fourteen. This quote describes Dally as a cold character, and refers to the fact that Dally has seen many more hardships in his life than happiness. You can see that Johnny and Dally are both very different. However... ... middle of paper ... ...utside world, where you must learn to hate and neglect. Johnny enjoys reading, as he really enjoys reading “Gone with the wind.” Dally meanwhile, is described as not having the “shade of difference that separates a Greaser from a hood” on page fourteen. Dally is rough while Johnny is soft. Dally reflects hatred while Johnny reflects sensitivity. Therefore, when Dally and Johnny both die, Ponyboy feels like he has lost himself, because two major people who had such a big influence on him has left him. Johnny and Dally are both very contrasting characters and each play a vital role in both the novel and Ponyboy’s life. Johnny is a soft character who is regarded as the stereotypical Greaser. Dally is a rugged and rough character that is regarded as a hoodlum. Therefore, I believe that this paper has been able to answer the topic question and also support my thesis.

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