Why did Dally want to be dead?

Dally Winston wanted to be dead because Johnny Cade, the only person he truly loved and cared for, had died.

The Profound Loss of Johnny Cade

Dally's desire to die stemmed directly from the immense grief and despair he felt after Johnny Cade succumbed to his injuries. Johnny was more than just a friend to Dally; he was the one individual who brought a semblance of genuine affection and purpose into Dally's hardened life. Unlike others, Johnny saw past Dally's tough exterior, and Dally, in turn, felt a deep, protective love for Johnny.

The significance of Johnny's death to Dally can be understood through these points:

• Emotional Anchor: Johnny was Dally's sole emotional anchor. In a life marked by hardship and a lack of familial care, Johnny represented the only stable, positive emotional connection Dally possessed.
• Unconditional Love: Dally genuinely loved Johnny, a rare display of vulnerability for his character. This love made Johnny's loss particularly devastating.
• Loss of Purpose: Protecting Johnny had, in many ways, given Dally a sense of purpose. With Johnny gone, Dally felt completely lost and without a reason to continue living.

A Life Devoid of Affection

To fully grasp Dally's desperation, it's important to understand his background. Ponyboy Curtis, the narrator of The Outsiders, often observes that Dally's life was characterized by an absence of nurturing relationships. He had no family who genuinely cared for him or provided emotional support. This created a deep void that only Johnny seemed to fill.

The stark contrast in Dally's emotional state before and after Johnny's death highlights this:

Without Johnny, Dally's already bleak world became entirely unbearable. His final actions, effectively orchestrating his own death by police, were a direct consequence of his inability to cope with the loss of the only person who mattered to him. For more context on the story and characters, you can visit The Outsiders on Wikipedia.