Examples Of Gold In The Outsiders

Grayson Johnston
Mr. Davis
ELA 8
10 January 2023
Nothing Gold Can Stay The color gold is brought up many times throughout The Outsiders. From joy to death, it transforms throughout the book as a prominent component in the characters. Although one character seems to have a deeper connection with the color. Staying gold means to remain strong no matter the situation, and Ponyboy tends not to follow this; although he does plan to change that. Starting at the root, the color gold has a very deep, but also a sad one. The night sky is dark as a bat, silent after the chaos of the previous rumble. The gang gathers around Johnny in the hospital, who’s laying in a bed breathing his last breaths. Johnny and Ponyboy have gone through everything together, and it’s all about to come crashing down. Johnny knows that Ponyboy has potential, he just has trouble getting past his thoughts. That is why just before he seals his eyes for eternity, he looks at Ponyboy and says, “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold…” This is where “staying gold” is introduced in The Outsiders, and it will go on to stay a very long time.

He is constantly concerned with relationships, who did what, and who thinks what about who. A prime example of this is Ponyboy’s thoughts on his two brothers. Like his idea of Darry hating Pony, and never being “sorry for anything he does.” Ponyboy is focused on what things look like, not the true meaning. Although Ponyboy does not stay like this forever. As the book goes on, Ponyboy realizes that everyone has problems. Even the Socs, who most greasers view as arrogantly “perfect,” Cherry brings it obvious to Pony that this is not true. This is especially true when Pony tells Cherry that “you don't feel anything and we feel too