Ponyboy has trouble understanding the meaning of Robert's poem, ''Nothing Gold Can Stay''. In your own words, explain the poets theme. Then connect that theme to characters and events from this story.

Johnny encourages Ponyboy not to waste his youth looking for things he does't have. Johnny gets rather Zen about life using Frost's poem as a metaphor. He tells Pony that life is fleeting and nothing is permanent hence "Nothing Gold can Stay". Johnny encourages Pony to see the goodness in people like Darry instead of wasting their relationship.