As the movie progresses Terry begins to develop his consciences. A string of events force Terry to come clean. Among the most influential of these events are his encounters with Edie Doyle, sister of Joey Doyle. Edie is the first person in the movie to show belief in Terry; she brings out a side of him that the audience has not seen. Terry’s love for her is so strong he reveals to her what he did to her brother. This is the first sign that Terry is developing a sense of moral righteousness. While telling Edie, Terry’s demeanor begins to change. He keeps eye contact with her and uses his hands to talk, as opposed to relying on his go-to nervous gestures. Unfortunately, Johnny Friendly starts to notice a change in Terry and he sends Charlie Malloy out to talk to him. With much hesitation and trepidation, Charlie picks up Terry. During the car ride, Terry finally asserts himself. He reveals the truth about the night he threw his boxing title and how Charlie made him do it. For the first time, the viewer sees Terry standing up against another character. Terry tells Charlie, “You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it. It was you, Charlie,” (On the Waterfront).
From this point on, Terry only becomes more fueled in his endeavors to become an honorable man. Soon after Terry leaves he discovers Charlie’s dead body. Over his brother’s body, Terry vows to “take it out on their skulls,” (On the Waterfront). However, Terry does not revert to anger. Father Barry will not allow him to use anger as a solution. Rather, Father Barry instructs him to get back at Friendly by testifying. In the courtroom, it is clear that Terry is nervous upon seeing Johnny Friendly. Emotionally, it is evident that Friendly still has a hold over him. However, after testifying, Terry finds all of his pigeons have been slaughtered. This final act of murder gives Terry the strength to finally stand up to Johnny Friendly.
Once at the waterfront, Terry does not receive work for the day. Angrily, Terry approaches Johnny Friendly’s shack on the water. It is clear to the viewer that his entire demeanor has changed. Terry, proudly wearing Joey’s old jacket, stands up straight without his hand in his pockets or any type of fidgeting. He even talks with more confidence and chews his gum in a smug manner. Terry’s new found self-confidence propels him to berate John Friendly, as he now calls him, saying, “You're a cheap, lousy, dirty, stinkin' mug! And I'm glad what I done to you, ya hear that? I'm glad what I done!” (On the Waterfront). After this dispute a fight breaks out between Terry and Friendly. Terry is left lying on the pier and Father rushes over to Terry, telling him, “You’ve lost the battle but you have a chance to win the war”. In this defining moment, Terry asks Father to put him on his feet. It is Terry’s final walk from the pier to the work entrance that completes his ultimate transformation. This walk symbolizes the end of Friendly’s abusive, austere reign and the beginning of a proper Union for hundreds of men.
In the end a “bum” became the hero of the waterfront. It was the courage of a single man that saved hundreds of workers. Terry Mallow’s view of Johnny Friendly was drastically altered after his misunderstood involvement in Joey’s death. His contemplation to stand up against Johnny was fueled by his love for Edie and several nudges from Father Barry. The final straw was the murder of his brother, Charlie. Terry could not have made this impact by himself; it was the collective impact of these people and events that transformed Terry Malloy into a leader.
