Point of View: After reading Johnny’s note, Ponyboy reflects on its meaning for him in his life. A) Explain what the overall message of Johnny’s note is. B) How does Ponyboy’s English assignment give him an opportunity to act on Johnny’s instructions?

Johnny encourages Ponyboy not to waste his youth looking for things he does't have. Johnny becomes reflective 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 was something it is not. Johnny wants Pony to enjoy the beauty of life while he still ca because, like Johnny's own life, everything comes to an end. Ponyboy's English assignment is a reflection of what happened which includes the message of the poem in the lives of the boys.