In the book The Outsiders, Darry has a job working in roofing. It is also mentioned that he has another job as well. When their parents died, Darry took on the responsibility of taking care of his brothers, Soda and Pony. Darry is the oldest and most mature and everyone looks up to him.

Darry is strict with Pony. He knows that Pony is smart and could have a real future ahead of him. Pony and Darry constantly butt heads because of this. Darry feels like he has to be the "parent" for Pony, but Pony still sees him as just his big brother. Darry feels a tremendous amount of pressure since his parents died. He feels he had to grow up really fast, but he was willing to do what he had to do to keep him and his brothers together.

Although Darry and Pony are at odds with each other most of the time, Darry truly loves Pony. He wants only what is best for him. Darry mourns and comforts Pony the best he can when they lose Johnny. Pony realizes that Darry is the one who has always been there for him, and they truly are family.