In this chapter, Ponyboy questions his identification with the East Side greasers. As the seriousness of life hits him and he is forced to deal with the issue of mortality, he begins to challenge some long-held beliefs.
He calls the rough and dangerous Shepard and Brumley gang members "Young hoods — who would grow up to be old hoods." He had never thought about the issue before, but now he realizes that their behavior — and their lives — will continue to get worse, not better. He tells himself that Darry isn't going to be an old hood, that he is "going to get somewhere." And Pony vows that he will be successful like Darry and leave behind the neighborhood gang life.
Johnny's dying wish for Pony was for him to "Stay gold." Here, gold symbolizes idealism and goodness. Johnny knew that Pony was capable of accomplishing many goals, but most importantly he saw the good life that Pony had with his brothers. He wanted Pony to realize the importance of these gifts, especially having brothers who are truly family, while he still had them.
The perspective of being an outsider has now almost come full circle. Pony is now beginning to view himself and his brothers as outsiders within the East Side greasers. It is important to remember that seeing oneself as an outsider is a matter of perspective. That perspective can shift as a person begins to look at life and life's situations through different eyes.
