What does Ponyboy think about his brother Darry? Why could Pony be wrong?

As the story begins, it is apparent that Ponyboy considers Darry to be a leader and father-figure. As the chapters pass, however, Darry strikes/pushes Ponyboy much the same way their abusive father did.

At that point, Ponyboy runs off, much in the same way his brothers would when their father was present. What Ponyboy fails to realize is that Darry, as big brother, is still very much an adolescent himself, and is struggling to simply keep the family together, as seen in his dialogue about Ponyboy coming in at 2 a.m.; he responds with the threat that officials would "take them to the boys' home" if they didn't obey curfew.