Similarities And Morality In The Outsiders By S. E. Hinton

People tend to keep company with one another based on opinions and qualities that they share. That being said, no two people can be entirely identical. This is certainly the case with Johnny Cade and Dallas Winston from the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Johnny and Dally are in similar situations due to them both having neglectful parents and placing minimal value on their lives. Despite their similarities, Dally and Johnny have very different opinions on how Ponyboy should be and on the law itself. It is clear to see that Johnny Cade and Dally Winston are similar and dissimilar at the same time. One very important similarity between Johnny and Dally is that they both have neglectful and abusive parents. For instance, it is blatantly shown that Johnny has parents that abuse him. After Darry hits Pony and he comes running to Johnny to tell what had happened, Johnny states, “‘I think I like it better when the old man’s hittin’ me.’ Johnny …show more content…
One difference is that they have different opinions on whether or not Ponyboy should change. For example, Johnny tells Ponyboy to stay innocent, kind and just the way he is. In the letter that Johnny leaves behind for Pony, he speaks of Pony’s fondness of sunsets and says, “That’s gold. Keep that way, it’s a good way to be” (178). Johnny does not want Ponyboy to become harsh and cruel like Dally and this is very apparent in his letter. Unlike Johnny, Dally tells Pony a very different message; to toughen up. Dally believes that if Pony toughens up and grows cold, he will be better off. This is obvious when Dally says to Pony, “‘You’d better wise up, Pony… you get tough like me and you don’t get hurt’” (147). Though Johnny wishes for Pony to always stay the way he is, Dally thinks that it would be better if Pony gets tough. Johnny and Dally both having different lessons to teach Ponyboy is a significant difference between