Early on in this story, Darry has a personality that is not charming. With ease, he can lose control and things can instantly get out of hand. “Darry wheeled around and slapped me so hard that it knocked me against the door” (Hinton 58). He does not realize how much his temper effects Ponyboy. “You don’t quit! And if you don’t like the way I’m running things you can get out” (Hinton 182). Darry is far too hard …show more content…
He keeps Pony in line; he is constantly looking out for him. “On school nights I could hardly leave the house” (Hinton 21). Darry is determined that Pony excels in school so he can become successful in the way Darry could not. Noticing their relationship is delicate, Darry refers to Pony with nicknames, hoping this will help Pony realize he is trying to do better. “‘Maybe you could be a little neater, huh, little buddy?’” (Hinton 174). Pony notices that Darry does love him and they both strive for a stronger relationship. Not only is Darry caring but he also gave up the perfect life he could have had so he could raise his brothers.
Selflessness is a trait Darry had from the beginning. However, he gradually proves this characteristic feature during the novel. He was more concerned of the needs of his brothers than himself. “And he had given up a lot for Soda and me” (Hinton 184). Even though Darry lives in poverty in the hood, he is still motivated to succeed. “He wasn’t going to be any hood when he got old. He was going to get somewhere” (Hinton 146). He wanted to thrive in life and to achieve his life goals. Darry has numerous traits, positive and negative, but these are only a portion of his whole