Why does Dally have trouble handling Johnny's death?

Dally struggles to cope with Johnny's death because Johnny was the only person Dally truly cared about and felt a connection to in a world that often felt harsh and isolating. Johnny represented hope and innocence for Dally, and losing him shatters Dally's already fragile emotional state. This loss drives Dally into a deep despair, leading him to a reckless confrontation with the world, reflecting his inability to deal with the pain of losing someone he loved. Ultimately, Johnny's death symbolizes the loss of Dally's last anchor to a sense of belonging and purpose.