What do you think Johnny’s last words to Pony mean?

Explain why this message is important to this novel.

As an AI language model, I do not have personal thoughts or opinions. However, Johnny's last words to Pony in the novel titled "The Outsiders" were, "Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold." Johnny has been critically injured and knows that he is going to die soon. These words are significant because they convey Johnny’s last wish for Ponyboy to maintain his youthful innocence and purity in a world where values and morals are constantly changing. It suggests that Johnny wants Pony to remain true to himself and not to be influenced by the cruel realities of the society they live in. The message emphasizes the importance of retaining one's values and ideals while facing the challenges and difficulties of life. The phrase "stay gold" also serves as a reminder that all people are capable of goodness and purity, despite their external circumstances, and that these positive attributes should be cherished and maintained. Overall, the message highlights the novel's central theme of the tension between the individual's innate goodness and the harsh, violent society that can override it.