CharacterAnalysisEssayMCA

When people think of the most interesting characters in books they think about protagonists or antagonists but sometimes interesting characters are those that don't have a spotlight. Dallas Winston is one of those characters that without a spotlight still stand out. His personality is not the best, but although he is a reckless jerk sometimes, he can also be gallant and caring.

Dallas reckless side, is not the best side of his personality, but that's part of what makes him interesting. Dally had spent three years on the wild side of New York and had been arrested at the age of ten (Hinton 10). He was in gang fights, ...he got drunk, he rode in rodeos, lied, cheated, stole, rolled drunks, jumped small kids--he did everything. (Hinton 11) He lived his life his own way. Being in and out of jail, with a long criminal history, wasn't the best life to have but he didn't care.

Aside from his reckless side he also proves to be a gallant person. He decides to help Johnny Cade and Ponyboy Curtis. At first when they saw the fire Dallas didn't make any move to help the little kids that were trapped inside the church, but Dally [risked] his life [to save Johnny and Pony], trying to keep Johnny out of trouble (Hinton 154). While other guys that claim being tough and cool would not help his friends from a fire, he did. He died gallant (Hinton 154), before his death he did everything he could to protect the other members of the gang, even going to jail for them if it would help them.

Lastly, Dallas was caring. He didn't show it much but he really cared for his buddies and for the other members of the gang, especially Johnny. My old man don't give a hang whether I'm in jail or dead or in a car wreck or drunk in the gutter (Hinton 88) Dally said when Johnny was asking about his parents. That's why Dally cared about Johnny, because Johnny's parents beat him up and didn't care about him, the same way Dally's parents were. He didn't want to Johnny to feel the same way he felt.

For me Dallas Winston is the most interesting character in the book. Putting aside his tough and reckless personality he could be gallant and caring for his buddies. Dallas was feared by most people but also being loved by his friends. He didn't have the best life but he didn't complain or care about it. He lived his own way.