(IC) Lesson Topic 4: Chapters 7-9

You should now be finished reading part one of The Outsiders. The Robert Frost poem Ponyboy recites in Johnny in Chapter 5, "Nothing Gold Can Stay," speaks of innocence by using metaphors from nature. The poem comes to symbolize the innocence of Johnny and Ponyboy.

Nothing Gold Can Stay
by Robert Frost

Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.

There is an important part of the climax that occurs in part one when Johnny kills Bob. The irony of this event is significant as it occurs right after the chapter which focuses on the innocence of both Johnny and Ponyboy.

Please read chapters 7-9 which begin Part Two of the novel. Pay close attention to the stereotypes used throughout the book. Are the stereotypes accurate? Why or why not?

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