Quote Analysis

[Dan_1417]

The quote, "Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold..." (p.148) by Johnny very much moved me and impacts the novel as a whole. I feel that when Johnny says this to Ponyboy, he means he wants him to stay the way he is right now, as a kid, not tough and hardened like Dally or Tim Shepard. I also feel that this quote is the main theme in this story because it's saying to not change the way you are or to not be changed by anybody else. This quote to me was very important and was the theme of 'The Outsiders', and has impacted my view point of the story.

[Meena]

I totally agree. I think it's a reference to the poem by Robert Frost, "Nothing Gold Can Stay," that Ponyboy mentions at the church. He wants him to stay innocent, and to keep appreciating the great moments in life like the sunset. In the letter he wrote in Gone With the Wind, Johnny said he should show Dally the sunset because he doesn't think he's really seen it before. So he wants Ponyboy to also share his "gold" with others.

[Lena]

SE Hinton makes it a point to tell us that Ponyboy is different from the rest of the gang: likes movies, sunsets, picks up broken glass, won't use a knife, doesn't really like/get along with the rowdier gang members, etc. Johnny sees the characteristics and the underlying attitude behind them and wants to make sure Ponyboy realizes it also. Johnny knows life is hard and knows exactly where Ponyboy is from and the environment and people he is exposed to and how easily it could be for Pony to become hard and cynical. He wants Pony to keep those positive qualities and keep looking for the good in life and to share (specifically with Dally) those things so life will maybe be better.

[Jade]

Dan_1417 wrote: "The quote, "Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold..." (p.148) by Johnny very much moved me and impacts the novel as a whole. I feel that when Johnny says this to Ponyboy, he means he wants him to stay the ..."

I agree with you completely! I think that was why Johnny was closer to Ponyboy than anyone else in the story, because Ponyboy gave him hope that life could be better someday. Johnny may have admired Dally but I believe what he admired was that Dally seemed to not be hurt by his circumstances, even though he actually was in more ways than a teenage boy could see. But in terms of Ponyboy's perspective about wanting something better, I believe that's why Johnny closed his letter with, "And don't be so bugged over being a greaser. You still have a lot of time to make yourself be what you want. There's still lots of good in the world. Tell Dally. I don't think he knows."