“Stay gold, Ponyboy” from The Outsiders is a metaphor, specifically a metaphorical wish for Ponyboy to remain positive and to retain his innocence and youthful perspective despite the hardships he faces.
It originates from the book “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton and is a reference to a Robert Frost poem. It was most recently referenced in TWL on a pendant Chelsea wears.
