Dally hates to do things the legal way. In fact, he goes out of his way to break the law (20). Sadly, Dally cannot love anything- the fight for self preservation during his time in New York and his time in jail has hardened him beyond caring (59). In addition, Dally does not have the capacity to resolve conflict. If something beefed him, he would retaliate (89).
Nonetheless, Dally is thought of as the most noble of and the most loyal to the gang. After the unfortunate incident of Johnny Cade killing a Soc named Bob in order to protect Pony, Dally does not hesitate to guide them into the old church in Windrixville for hiding to escape the police where the greasers lived, and nor does he hesitate to provide them with protection and money, even if it meant going to jail himself. When Two-Bit Matthews, Dally’s friend and a greaser, broke windows in the school building, the police accused and pursued Dally. Dally remained calm and never denied the accusation, and even accepted the jail sentence (76). After Pony and Johnny went into hiding for the murder of Bob, Dally never revealed where they were. In fact, Dally told the police they were bound for Texas (80). Therefore, Dally is admirable in his willingness to sacrifice himself for the well being of his friends; he shows an ability to be compassionate for others. Even though he has lived a hard life, Dally demonstrates that he is not selfish when it comes to his friends.
Hidden behind Dally’s rough exterior is a passionate love for Johnny, a love motivated by Dally’s sight of himself in him and an internal desperation for love. If it had been anyone but Johnny who had told him to stop harassing Cherry and Marcia at the Nightly Double, Dally would have flattened him (24). Dally admired Johnny’s soft spoken personality and didn’t want a sentence in jail to harden Johnny like it had hardened himself (89-90).
Dallas Winston grew up poor and disadvantaged and he became what seemed to be a depraved person. However, as the story unfolds it becomes clear that people who can be presumed as depraved can develop to sacrifice themselves for their friends and mature to attain redeeming qualities such as loyalty and bravery.
