evidence Flashcards
“his eyes were blue blazing ice cold with a hatred of the world”
page 12 - Hinton uses both metaphor and juxtaposition to represent Daley as a tough and hate filled character. By utilising this metaphor, Hinton compares the intensity of Dally’s eyes to ablaze while simultaneously describing them as cold. This juxtaposition of intense heat and intense cold creates a powerful contrasting image, emphasising his complex emotions stop furthermore the vivid imagery allows readers to imagine the coldness and intensity of Dally’s gaze
“arrested at the age of ten”
page 12 - his large criminal history, hardened by his tough up brining and often displays a reckless and defiant attitude. tendency to resort to violence and lack of respect for authority.
“Dally had spent three years on the wild side of New York, and had been arrested at the age of ten”
In this case, phrases like “the wild side of New York” and “arrested at the age of ten” evoke strong images of a rough, turbulent life, filled with danger and hardship. This helps the reader imagine Dally’s tough upbringing and the challenging environment that shaped his character.
“Dally’ll get us out of here”
page 69 - the first person they thought of was dally as they knew he would be level-headed and protect them. Foreshadowing is a technique in which the author gives hints or clues about what will happen later in the story. In this case, the statement suggests that Dally will play a crucial role in helping the characters escape a difficult situation, hinting at his future actions and significance in the plot.
“Okay kids what do you need me for… he handed us a gun and a roll of bills”
page 73 - This line also contributes to characterization, revealing Dally’s role as someone who is willing to provide dangerous tools (a gun and money) to help others, reinforcing his protective personality.
“I was crazy, you know that, kid? Crazy for wanting Johnny to stay out of trouble, for not wanting him to get hard. If he’d been like me he’d never have been in this mess. If he’d got smart like me he’d never have run into the church. That’s what you get for helping people” repetition
Repetition: The repetition of phrases like “If he’d been like me” and “If he’d got smart like me” emphasizes Dally’s internal struggle and regret. It highlights how he feels responsible for Johnny’s fate and how he believes that if Johnny had followed his example, he wouldn’t be in trouble.
“I was crazy, you know that, kid? Crazy for wanting Johnny to stay out of trouble, for not wanting him to get hard. If he’d been like me he’d never have been in this mess. If he’d got smart like me he’d never have run into the church. That’s what you get for helping people” rhetorical question
Rhetorical Question: The opening question, “I was crazy, you know that, kid?” is a rhetorical question. Dally is not expecting an answer but is instead expressing his frustration with himself, reflecting on his choices and the impact they’ve had on Johnny.
“I was crazy, you know that, kid? Crazy for wanting Johnny to stay out of trouble, for not wanting him to get hard. If he’d been like me he’d never have been in this mess. If he’d got smart like me he’d never have run into the church. That’s what you get for helping people” irony
Irony: There is a layer of irony in the statement “That’s what you get for helping people.” Dally’s tough, cynical view of helping others suggests that his past experiences have led him to believe that doing good or helping people often leads to negative consequences. The irony lies in the fact that, despite his tough exterior, Dally actually cares deeply about Johnny and wishes things had turned out differently.
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.
Nobody would write editorials praising Dally. Two friends of mine had died that
night: one a hero, the other a hoodlum. But I remembered Dally pulling Johnny through
the window of the burning church; Dally giving us his gun, although it could mean jail
for him; Dally risking his life for us, trying to keep Johnny out of trouble. And now he
was a dead juvenile delinquent and there wouldn’t be any editorials in his favor. Dally
didn’t die a hero. He died violent and young and desperate, just like we all knew he’d die
someday. Just like Tim Shepard and Curly Shepard and the Brumly boys and the other
guys we knew would die someday. But Johnny was right. He died gallant.
irony
- Irony: The passage is filled with irony, especially in the line, “Dally didn’t die a hero. He died violent and young and desperate, just like we all knew he’d die someday.” Dally, a character who had shown loyalty and selflessness throughout the novel, ends up dying in a tragic and violent way, not as a hero. The irony is that despite his many acts of bravery and sacrifice, to the general public, he will not be remembered as a hero. But, through the first person retelling of this event, Dally is represented as a selfless, brave, and noble character who couldn’t live on without his best friend.
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.
Nobody would write editorials praising Dally. Two friends of mine had died that
night: one a hero, the other a hoodlum. But I remembered Dally pulling Johnny through
the window of the burning church; Dally giving us his gun, although it could mean jail
for him; Dally risking his life for us, trying to keep Johnny out of trouble. And now he
was a dead juvenile delinquent and there wouldn’t be any editorials in his favor. Dally
didn’t die a hero. He died violent and young and desperate, just like we all knew he’d die
someday. Just like Tim Shepard and Curly Shepard and the Brumly boys and the other
guys we knew would die someday. But Johnny was right. He died gallant.
foreshadowing
- Foreshadowing: The line “just like we all knew he’d die someday” is an example of foreshadowing. Throughout the novel, Dally’s reckless and self-destructive behavior hints at the tragic end he will eventually meet. This statement acknowledges that his death was inevitable, given his lifestyle and attitude toward life.
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.
Nobody would write editorials praising Dally. Two friends of mine had died that
night: one a hero, the other a hoodlum. But I remembered Dally pulling Johnny through
the window of the burning church; Dally giving us his gun, although it could mean jail
for him; Dally risking his life for us, trying to keep Johnny out of trouble. And now he
was a dead juvenile delinquent and there wouldn’t be any editorials in his favor. Dally
didn’t die a hero. He died violent and young and desperate, just like we all knew he’d die
someday. Just like Tim Shepard and Curly Shepard and the Brumly boys and the other
guys we knew would die someday. But Johnny was right. He died gallant. symbolism
- Symbolism: Dally’s death can be seen as symbolic of the harsh realities faced by those living in poverty or in gangs. His “grim triumph” and “desperate” end reflect the struggles of youth in a society that has little sympathy for them, symbolizing how the world often responds to those who act out of frustration, pain, and defiance.
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.
Nobody would write editorials praising Dally. Two friends of mine had died that
night: one a hero, the other a hoodlum. But I remembered Dally pulling Johnny through
the window of the burning church; Dally giving us his gun, although it could mean jail
for him; Dally risking his life for us, trying to keep Johnny out of trouble. And now he
was a dead juvenile delinquent and there wouldn’t be any editorials in his favor. Dally
didn’t die a hero. He died violent and young and desperate, just like we all knew he’d die
someday. Just like Tim Shepard and Curly Shepard and the Brumly boys and the other
guys we knew would die someday. But Johnny was right. He died gallant. characterisation
- Characterization: The passage deeply emphasizes characterization of Dally, showing him as a complex figure. Despite his tough and rebellious exterior, Dally’s vulnerability is evident in his desire for death. His death is a manifestation of his internal turmoil, showing that his actions throughout the novel were driven by deeper emotional struggles. The contrast between his earlier acts of loyalty and his tragic death highlights his complexity as a character.
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.
Nobody would write editorials praising Dally. Two friends of mine had died that
night: one a hero, the other a hoodlum. But I remembered Dally pulling Johnny through
the window of the burning church; Dally giving us his gun, although it could mean jail
for him; Dally risking his life for us, trying to keep Johnny out of trouble. And now he
was a dead juvenile delinquent and there wouldn’t be any editorials in his favor. Dally
didn’t die a hero. He died violent and young and desperate, just like we all knew he’d die
someday. Just like Tim Shepard and Curly Shepard and the Brumly boys and the other
guys we knew would die someday. But Johnny was right. He died gallant. juxtaposition
- Juxtaposition: The contrast between Johnny’s heroic death and Dally’s tragic end is an example of juxtaposition. While Johnny’s death is described as “gallant,” Dally’s is violent and unglamorous, which serves to highlight the different paths both characters took despite their shared experiences.
But Dally had nothing on his mind except Johnny
Characterization: This line highlights Dally’s deep loyalty and love for Johnny. Despite his tough, rebellious exterior, Dally’s thoughts are consumed by Johnny, showing that his actions, even those that appear reckless, are driven by a desire to protect and care for Johnny. This serves to deepen our understanding of Dally as a character who, at his core, values his relationships with others, especially Johnny.
Simplicity of Focus: The phrase also emphasizes Dally’s single-mindedness in his care for Johnny. The simplicity of the sentence mirrors the simplicity of Dally’s devotion—his loyalty to Johnny is all that matters to him in that moment, further solidifying the depth of their bond.
