Why does Cherry have affection for Dallas in The Outsiders?
Although Cherry Valance is a popular cheerleader, it is obvious that she is attractive to dangerous young men. Her boyfriend is Bob Sheldon, the Soc with the rings who has beaten Johnny so savagely, and who eventually dies when Johnny knifes him while trying to drown Ponyboy. Cherry is attracted to Dallas for the same reasons: Despite his "dirty talk," angry disposition, and complete disregard for the law, these are the things to which Cherry is attracted. She has already heard about Dally and how he looked "hard as nails and twice as tough." Yet,
"I kind of admire him," Cherry said softly... (Chapter 2)
and she later tells Pony that "I could fall in love with Dallas Winston ... I hope I never see him again, or I will." For Cherry, Dallas is a type of forbidden fruit that would draw the ire of her parents...
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and friends, but who would keep Cherry alive with excitement and his brand of danger.
What appeals to Cherry about Dallas in The Outsiders? Do girls commonly fall for guys like him?
It is obvious that Cherry prefers "bad boys," since she is dating Bob Sheldon (the most violent of the Socs) and she is immediately attracted to Dallas Winston (the most "dangerous" and criminally active of the greasers). Both Bob and Dally are handsome: Bob's family is wealthy and he is "a tall guy with a semi-Beatle haircut." Dally has "elfish face" with blue eyes and incredibly blonde hair that--unlike most of the greasers--had no oil in it. Even after Dally insults Cherry at the theatre, she is turned on by his antics. She knows of his reputation and probably revels in her first meeting with him. She tells Pony that
"I could fall in love with Dallas Winston... I hope I never see him again, or I will."
She even seeks him out while Pony and Johnny are hiding out and agrees to act as their "spy." She turns down Dally's request to get a Coke at The Dingo because, as Ponyboy reflects, "She's afraid of loving you."