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Brother vs. Parent
Topic Started: Mar 19 2010, 02:15 PM (315 Views)
Allison
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I'd say the character who gets characterized wrong the most would Darry. People either make him an asexual hardass or completely flip the spectrum and turn him into a touchy-feely, motheresque nurturer. Obviously the guy does a little more than read a newspaper, but he certainly isn't hugs and kisses all the time.

One issue that comes up with him that's often portrayed poorly in writing is balancing his role as brother and guardian. Yes, he acts very parental at times, but, from the stories I've read, what most people fail to realize is that he is still Pony and Soda's brother. Therefore, he is still going to act like a brother in a lot of respects. He may be able to ground them, and have the final word, etc. but that doesn't automatically make him a parent. There's still gonna be sibling rivalry, which probably accounts for quite a bit of he and Pony's fighting. Most younger siblings would agree that it's hard to bossed around by an older sibling—it's even harder if you have to listen to them.

Don't get me wrong, I'm by no means docking Darry's role as a guardian, and he's probably my favorite character. I just think it's important to show him accurately—as both a brother and a guardian.

Any thoughts? Feel free to disagree with me.
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Jayme
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Stay Gold...
I think that Darry is only hard because he is only twenty-years-old, and has to look after two rambunctious boys and their gang of friends. Like Pony said, he had never really gotten over not going to college. One can really tell how sensitive he is about that subject, considering he nearly shattered Stevie's jaw for calling him 'all brawn and no brain.' But, I think it's the concept of things. Darry was twenty, Boy of the Year, good looking, got a sports scholarship, was smart, and was blessed for having two wonderful parents and supporting brothers. When he lost all of that, I can imagine how much stress he had.

I love Darry, I really do, but I just don't like writing him. I'm too afraid I'll mess up his character. Ponyboy mentioned that the two boys got along fine before their parents died, and ever since then, it's been hell. I can definitely imagine the guilt/need to please that comes from Darry. It definitely isn't fair for him to have to work like an old man at only twenty, and have to watch out for his brothers (one who doesn't use his head.)

I agree with you 100%.
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divine energy
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This Bird Has Flown
But when you think about it, I suppose some time he would have to prioritize taking care of them before being their brother. I'm not saying always, but at least some of the time. So it's not hard to see where it's coming from. Really it comes from BEING their brother, because he's so terrified of losing them and worried about them (I think) because he just doesn't want to lose them like he lost the others. So you couldn't blame him if that be the case. It's what I know would happen to me.

The only thing that really gets to me more than the rest is the fact that almost everyone makes him have no friends and not a girl in sight. He had a life - they were fourteen and seventeen, they could take care of themselves for a few hours, don'tcha think?

He had PLENTY of time for a social life.
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whatcoloristhesky
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Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man
Going off of that ... Ponyboy even SAID he went out with friends on the weekend and to the gym. I've always had a hard time understanding how people can even overlook the things Ponyboy blatantly stated. I find him being overwhelmed, but for someone like him to completely lose his boy of the year status seems implausible to me. I mean, when they invite him out to the movies, you can tell that he wants to go, but work is keeping him from going. He IS friends with the gang, and he's got other friends as well.
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Erin
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I almost feel like this is a "cool" thing to say in the fandom these days, lol, but it's so true. Darry's twenty years old -- nothing but a kid forced to grow up too fast. He should be off screwing up and having fun and being young, not making sure Pony does his homework, and there's no way he gave all that up just because he became the parent of the house.
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whatcoloristhesky
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Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man
Exactly. I mean, yeah, he can't be as reckless as he probably would have been had their parents survived, but he's gonna go out and have fun when he can, when he's not too tired and worried.
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Jen
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Let's go to the ma-a-all.
One thing that always reminds me of Darry still being young is when Soda says they're going to throw a party after the rumble and everyone can get "stoned". The only comment Darry makes is about where Soda's going to get the money. He doesn't say no to the party, or even a "don't trash the house", and that's because he's still a young guy who likes to have fun. He wants to party and relax just as much as everyone else.
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whatcoloristhesky
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Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man
Good point. That's exactly where the balance comes in, I think.
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