The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

Chapters 9-10:

Dally's move to bluff the police with the pistol is a suicidal act. Why do you think Dally chooses to die? Do you think that suicide is always a cowardly act? Why or why not?

Dally chooses to die because deep down inside, he cannot live without Johnny and the pain of his death and not having Johnny around anymore is just too much to bear. He also feels in some way, a little guilty. In a way, his act was a bit cowardly. His friends have to live with the death of Johnny, just like he would if he didn't die. Now his friends have to live with the death of Dally too.