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Comparing Johnny and Dally in The Outsiders by SE Hinton Essay

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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 …show more content…

Johnny looks up to Dally because his strong character that enables him to live in difficult conditions is the one thing that Johnny lacks. On the other hand, Dally looks up to Johnny because Johnny has one very important thing that himself does not have, love and affection.

Johnny’s role in the novel is the gang’s pet. Everyone wants to help and confront Johnny. When he was jumped by the Socs, the whole gang helped Johnny out and comforted him. This shows the gang really cares about Johnny, and he is equivalent to everyone’s kid brother. He is the one figure in the Greasers that everyone tries to take care of. Alternatively, Dally is the exact opposite of Johnny in his role in the novel. Dally plays the role of a character that has been shown the cold side of the world. On page fourteen, Dally is quoted:

“He had been arrested, he got drunk, rode in rodeos, lied, cheated, stole, rolled drunks, jumped small kids – he did everything.”

One can see that Dally’s criminal record is vast by the phrase “he did everything.” Dally and Johnny both play major roles in the novel, Johnny the gang’s pet, and Dally the cold and heartless character.

In the novel, Dally and Johnny both end up dead, but this is not until SE Hinton has explained what roles Johnny and Dally play in Ponyboy’s life. Johnny plays the angelic aspect of Ponyboy’s life, pulling him away from troubles and once again reminding Ponyboy to stay innocent,

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