Pony boy realizes he likes soda, two-bit, and Darry's qualities that are like heroes in novels, while Johnny likes Dally because he is "real". Why does he say this about Johnny? Why would a pony boy relate more to people who betray characteristics of characters in novels, while Johnny is enamored with characters who are realistic?
Pony is a bit of a romantic. He likes reading books and watching movies. He is passionate about the heroes and in the narratives. Ponyboy imagines the people close to him like the heroes he reads about and watches. This is a part of Pony's vivid imagination and artistic disposition. Johnny's experiences are based around dark realism. He is ignored by his mother and doesn't have a dad. Johnny simply survives. He sees Dally as the ultimate survivor: a lone wolf who lives on his own terms. Johnny is attracted to this.
