In S.E. Hinton’s novel, The Outsiders, Johnny Cade holds Dallas ‘Dally’ Winston in high regard, and this admiration stems from several key factors that highlight Dally’s character.
Firstly, Johnny sees Dally as someone who embodies the qualities of toughness and resilience. Having grown up in a difficult environment, Johnny is drawn to Dally’s street-smart attitude and his ability to navigate the harsh realities of life. Dally represents a certain kind of strength that Johnny longs for but feels he lacks.
Additionally, Johnny admires Dally’s loyalty to his friends. Despite Dally’s rough exterior, he shows a deep commitment to the gang, especially when it comes to protecting them. In Johnny’s eyes, Dally’s willingness to go to great lengths for his friends makes him a worthy hero even if he doesn’t conform to traditional heroic ideals.
Moreover, Dally’s experience as someone who has faced the law and survived gives him a kind of street credibility that Johnny respects. Dally has lived through the struggles that Johnny has only begun to understand, and his stories captivate Johnny’s imagination.
Finally, there is a sense of tragic heroism in Dally’s character. His life is marked by hardship, and Johnny can relate to feeling trapped in circumstances beyond his control. This connection deepens Johnny’s admiration, as he sees Dally not only as a protector but also as a symbol of endurance in a broken world.
In conclusion, Johnny’s perception of Dally as a hero is rooted in a combination of admiration for his toughness, loyalty, street-smart nature, and the tragic circumstances that define his life. These elements come together to create a complex view of what it means to be a hero in the eyes of someone yearning for strength and connection.