What did Johnny's last words to Pony mean? Explain why this message is important to this novel.

"'Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold"

Through this phrase from the poem alluded to earlier in the novel, Johnny is telling Ponyboy that he has to stay true to himself.... that conforming to the expectations of others and remaining complicit in a life that will fail to make him happy isn't the path he should take. He is telling Ponyboy to be an individual.... to follow his dreams.