Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Grew Up… in 1960’s Tulsa, Oklahoma on the wrong side of the tracks. Dallas grew up friends with Greasers and naturally became a member of the gang himself. He doesn’t have many legitimate prospects so more often than not he turns toward the less legitimate (and often criminal) opportunities that present themselves.
Living… recently released from jail. He’s back in Tulsa, not making much of an effort to stay out of trouble. He’s happy to be back in the company of his buddies. His friends are the family he never had. As he tells one of them, “You think my old man gives a hang if I'm dead in a car wreck or drunk or in jail or something? He doesn't care, but that doesn't bother me.”
Profession… headed toward becoming a full-time criminal. Dallas isn’t the kind of guy who holds down a full-time job.
Interests… beer, women, and good times. Dallas has street smarts, charm to spare, and basically does whatever he wants when he wants to do it. It’s not the safest way to live, of course, and it’s catching up to him. He also loves to antagonize the “Socs,” which is short for “Socials,” who are the wealthier, preppier group/gang in Tulsa and the arch-rivals of the Greasers.
Relationship Status… not tied down to anyone in particular. Dallas is a handsome guy, but he doesn’t know much when it comes to talking to women. Really, it’s more like he talks at them. That works with some women, but obviously not with all.
Challenge… fixing his attitude. As outside pressure mounts, he finds it more and more difficult to cope. He wants to be a mentor to younger Greasers, but he’s barely keeping it together himself. He’s headed down a dangerous, criminal road, and it’s hard to picture a happy ending for him unless he can turn things around fairly dramatically.
Personality… impulsive and confused, but ultimately loving. Dallas is a funny, confident guy, with a quick tongue and even a sharp wit. When his friend Ponyboy asks what he wants to get up to he answers, “Nothin’ legal, man.” But that mouth and unchecked energy often gets him into trouble.
Get to Know him in...
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Two poor greasers, Johnny and Ponyboy, are assaulted by a vicious gang, the socs. After Johnny kills one of the attackers, tension begins to mount between the two rival gangs—setting off a turbulent chain of events.
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In Ponyboy's world there are two types of people. There are the Socs, the rich society kids who get away with anything. Then there are the greasers, like Ponyboy, who aren't so lucky. Ponyboy has a few things he can count on: his older brothers, his friends, and trouble with the Socs, whose idea of a good time is beating up greasers. At least he knows what to expect-until the night things go too far.
