Final answer:
Johnny's situation in "The Outsiders" mirrors the themes in the poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay," reflecting the transient nature of innocence and beauty in the face of life's harsh realities, akin to Wordsworth's poetry on the effects of poverty.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question is about how Johnny's situation relates to the poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay," presumably from the novel "The Outsiders" by S. E. Hinton. This poem intimates that everything pure and valuable is transient, which can be connected to Johnny's character arc in the novel—his innocence and youth cannot last in the harsh reality of his life. Wordsworth's poetry often depicts a somber dance with poverty, demonstrating its capability to strip away not just material wealth but also human affections and internal treasures, much like the external losses Johnny faces.
The loss of innocence and the fleeting nature of beauty and life are central themes in both the poem and Johnny's experiences. The poem, in its brevity and compelling imagery, encapsulates the swift change from the gold of dawn to the inevitable day, paralleling Johnny's rapid journey from childhood to a premature confrontation with adult challenges.