In Chapter 9 of The Outsiders, a tragic turn of events unfolds as Johnny’s injuries from the church fire prove to be fatal. The gang rushes him to the hospital, desperately hoping that he will make it through. But as Johnny’s condition worsens, it becomes clear that he doesn’t have much time left.
In his final moments, Johnny musters the strength to utter some last words to Ponyboy, his closest friend. With a weak voice, he manages to say, “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.” These words hold a profound meaning, one that Johnny had shared with Ponyboy earlier when they were hiding out in the abandoned church. Johnny had explained that “stay gold” meant to stay true to oneself, to hold onto the innocence and purity that is often lost as one grows older. It was a message of hope and resilience, a reminder for Ponyboy to never lose sight of who he truly is, despite the harsh realities of their lives.
However, Dally, who had accompanied Ponyboy and Johnny to the hospital, is consumed by grief at the loss of his closest friend. Unable to bear the pain, he runs out of the hospital, unable to face the reality of Johnny’s death. Dally’s reaction is a stark contrast to the message he had conveyed to Ponyboy earlier in the car. He had told Ponyboy that sometimes it was necessary to be tough, to harden oneself against the world in order to survive. But witnessing Johnny’s death, a person who had embraced his vulnerability and stayed true to himself till the end, Dally’s beliefs are challenged.
In a way, Johnny’s dying words contradict Dally’s message to Ponyboy. While Dally believed in toughening oneself and losing innocence, Johnny’s final plea was for Ponyboy to hold onto his innocence, to “stay gold.” This contradiction highlights the different perspectives on life within the gang. Johnny’s belief in the importance of staying true to oneself and preserving innocence clashes with Dally’s hardened outlook, shaped by his own experiences in the world.
The death of Johnny and Dally’s subsequent reaction serve as a powerful reminder of the harsh realities and consequences of the gang life they lead. It showcases the fragility of life and the toll that violence and hardship can take on individuals. The conflicting messages conveyed by Johnny’s dying words and Dally’s beliefs add depth to the themes of identity, innocence, and the struggle to maintain one’s true self in the face of adversity.