The Outsiders

The Outsiders

why did dally steal the cigarettes

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Dally was devastated by Johnny's death and struck back the only way he knew how.... with violence and rash behavior. Ponyboy believed he did this because he wanted to die. He pointed an unloaded gun, knowing the police would shoot back.

Dally raised the gun, and I thought: You blasted fool. They don't know you're only bluffing. And even as the policemen's guns spit fire into the night I knew that was what Dally wanted. He was jerked half around by the impact of the bullets, then slowly crumpled with a look of grim triumph on his face. He was dead before he hit the ground. But I knew that was what he wanted, even as the lot echoed with the cracks of shots, even as I begged silently--- Please, not him... not him and Johnny both ---I knew he would be dead, because Dally Winston wanted to be dead and he always got what he wanted.

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The Outsiders