Why is Ponyboy finally able to realize that Darry loves him?

For The Outsiders)

As Ponyboy is passionately hugging Darry, he realizes for the first time that Darry had a silent fear of losing another person he loved. Essentially, Ponyboy misinterpreted his brother's affection and finally realizes that Darry loves him when they see each other for the first time after the abandoned church fire. Approved by eNotes Editorial Team

Explanation:

As the classic "big-brother-turned-father-figure" character, Darry shows his love for Ponyboy through a number of different actions. He displays concern for his education, and hopes that Pony will finish high school to accept opportunities he never had.

He also knows that the world beyond their doorstep is tough, and so he does his best to "toughen up" Ponyboy and the others. All this, while at the same time, Darry is overseeing Pony's advancements in school and in productive areas that will benefit him later in life. As the family fell apart and Darry was thrust into the position of head of household, we see that he carries the responsibility well, and sees after his own in a number of very caring ways.

to kill a mockingbird basically is about a lawyer who goes against everything in a racist society like at the time of this novel, to defend a black man accused of sexual abuse. in the bible there are cases like that of joseph, who was accused by the woman of potifar, for a crime similar to that of tim robbinson, of that novel (genesis 39: 1-20). at this point we see that god also provides the escape to joseph, who was accused unjustly, but in his time, and through his attitude, his faith was not shaken, and god provided the solution. the perspective of god also written in the bible and not pay evil with evil. (ephesians 4: 32, 1 thessalonians 5: 15, 1 peter 3: 9). atticus, the lawyer, demonstrated during this lee novel, empathy, love of neighbor, understood the situation of this accused man. he went against everything in that society, and stood in favor of that man, for the injustice committed. this shows the empathy, the love taught by christ, in some passages that speak of love and justice in the sermon of the beatitudes (especially verses 6 and 7 of matthew 5).