I’ve seen a few posts calling attention to the similarities between Bob and Dallas and I haven’t been able to get it out of my head. Specifically I want to call attention to this:
Only one person ever told them no, but it wasn’t the no they needed.
Everyone their age is afraid to tell them no, they always get what they want. For Bob it’s because he leads, for Dally it’s because he’s a Hood- both of them have a reputation and live up to it. Bob’s parents won’t tell him no because they don’t think they have to any trouble he gets into is anyone’s fault but his (because blaming him would point out their bad parenting) and Dally isn’t around his dad enough or the man doesn’t give enough of a shit. The difference is that Bob wants his parents to parent and feel - Dally doesn’t know if he wants anything anymore.
The only people to ever say no in a way that affected them were Cherry and Johnny. They said it and came out unscathed when anyone else would’ve gotten hurt. Cherry refusing to get in the car and aid in his drunken antics (even if she later caves to social pressure) and Johnny telling Dally to lay off the girls. The difference being Dallas silently stalks off and listens…
These are the “no” they’d listen to but not one they needed. Not the law and attention they both lacked… both of their behaviors and personalities are cry for help that goes ignored by adults and friends alike— who assume it’s just their nature.
It goes to show that sometimes we all have the same types of problems regardless of socioeconomic class, it’s just what they make someone that differs. Bob is praised and held up while Dally is seen as the lowest of the low.
In the end they both died violent and young and desperate. Failed by the same systems and structures.
I just scored a HUGE find! Led Zeppelin's final rehearsal sessions on vinyl, just days before John Bonham died. As a big Zeppelin fan, I'm pretty pumped!