
In *The Outsiders* by S.E. Hinton, Dally (Dallas Winston) is one of the gang members, the most dangerous, and the real character of the gang. As a member of the Greasers, a gang from the east side of town, Dally is expected to break the law and cannot stay out of trouble. Although there are no real gang fights, only social issues between the Greasers and the Socs, Dally is bitter and breaking the law allows him to avoid the real issues that surround him.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gang member | Dally is a member of the Greasers gang |
| Dangerous | Dally is described as the most dangerous member of the gang |
| Avoiding issues | Dally breaks the law to avoid the real issues that surround him |
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What You'll Learn

Dally is a member of the Greasers gang, and breaking the law is expected of him
The Greasers are a gang from "the east side of town", and the novel reflects the harsh reality of their lives. Dally's behaviour is influenced by the social issues between the Greasers and the Socs. Despite there being no real gang fights, Dally's law-breaking behaviour is a way for him to cope with the difficulties of his life.
Dally's breaking point comes with Johnny's death. Even though he believes that "if you look after yourself, nothin' can touch you", he is unable to stay out of trouble due to the expectations of his gang membership.
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He is the most dangerous member of the gang
Dally (Dallas Winston) is the most dangerous member of the gang. He is described as the "real character of the gang". Breaking the law is expected of him, and he cannot stay out of trouble. He feels that "if you look after yourself, nothin' can touch you". Although there are no real gang fights, only social issues between the Greasers and the Socs, Dally is "bitter". Breaking the law allows him to avoid the real issues that surround him. Johnny's death is his "breaking point".
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He is described as hard and firm
Dally (Dallas Winston) is a member of the Greasers gang in S.E. Hinton's *The Outsiders*. He is described as the most dangerous and the "real character of the gang". Dally is "hard and firm", and breaking the law is expected of him. He feels that "if you look after yourself, nothin' can touch you". Although there are no real gang fights, only social issues between the Greasers and the Socs, Dally is "bitter" and breaking the law allows him to avoid the real issues that surround him. Johnny's death is his "breaking point".
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He is happy-go-lucky and grinning
Dally (Dallas Winston) is one of the gang members in *The Outsiders* by S.E. Hinton, and the most dangerous. He is described as 'happy-go-lucky and grinning'.
Dally is expected to break the law as a gang member, and he cannot stay out of trouble. He feels that 'if you look after yourself, nothin' can touch you'. Although there are no real gang fights, only social issues between the Greasers and the Socs, Dally is 'bitter' and breaking the law allows him to avoid the real issues that surround him. Johnny's death is his 'breaking point'.
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Breaking the law allows him to avoid the real issues that surround him
In *The Outsiders* by S.E. Hinton, Dally (Dallas Winston) is one of the gang members, the most dangerous, and "the real character of the gang". Breaking the law is expected of him and so he cannot stay out of trouble. He does feel, however, that "if you look after yourself, nothin' can touch you". Even though there are no real gang fights, only social issues between the Greasers and the Socs, Dally is "bitter" and breaking the law allows him to avoid the real issues that surround him. Johnny's death is his "breaking-point".
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Frequently asked questions
Dally is a member of a gang and breaking the law is expected of him. He is also 'bitter' and breaking the law allows him to avoid the real issues that surround him.
Dally is one of the gang members, the most dangerous, and "the real character of the gang."
Dally is 'bitter' and feels that "if you look after yourself, nothin' can touch you."
Johnny's death is Dally's breaking point.




















