Explanation:
“Stay gold, Ponyboy” is a poignant line from S.E. Hinton’s novel It’s a reference to the Robert Frost poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” In the context of the story, Johnny urges Ponyboy to maintain his youthful innocence and idealism despite the challenges and hardships of life. It encapsulates the idea of holding onto one’s authentic and compassionate nature in the face of adversity, encouraging Ponyboy to remain true to himself and his values as he navigates the complexities of the world around him.