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ELA: “Nothing Gold Can Stay” Name: _________________

“Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost (1923)

Objective: I can understand the elements of a poem to find its literal and deeper meanings.

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.

First Reading: How much do you LIKE this poem? 1 2 3 4 5 How well do you think you understand it? 1 2 3 4 5

After the stations: How much do you LIKE this poem now? 1 2 3 4 5 How well do you think you understand it? 1 2 3 4 5

SHORT ANSWER/OPINION: This poem is famous for many reasons. Why do you think it has stood the test of time and continues to be taught in schools?


“Nothing Gold Can Stay”: poetry Stations

Answer the questions below as you rotate to each station.HINT: All the bolded terms COULD reappear on a future quiz or assessment!

1.

FIGU

RATI

VE

LANG

UAGE

Simile: Comparing two things using the words _______ or _______. Metaphor: Comparing two things ___________ using “like” or “as”. Figurative language: describing or comparing things in a non-literal way. This is an “umbrella

term” or category; simile and metaphor are both figurative language. SHORT ANSWER: When Frost says that nature’s first green is “gold”, is he being literal about the

color, or is this a metaphor? (What is he saying in this line?)

This station’s secret letter is: ______

2.AL

LITE

RATI

ON

Alliteration: When several words in a row (or somewhat close to each other) all start with the same ___________ or sound.

Consonance: Alliteration with __________ letters/sounds Assonance: Alliteration with ________ letters/sounds

Skim the poem. Annotate at least one moment each of consonance and assonance.


3. R

HYM

E &

STRU

CTUR

E Rhyme Scheme: The pattern of how lines in a stanza rhyme together (ex: AABBCCAA) External Rhyme (or “____ rhyme”): When the _________ of lines of poetry rhyme Skim the poem. What kind of rhyme scheme is does it have? __________________ When _____ lines have end rhyme together, it is called a ______________. Therefore, this poem

is considered to be fully made up of rhyming ____________.


4.AS

K TH

E TE

ACHE (At this station, talk to me about any moments in the poem you like, dislike, or find confusing. Feel

free to take optional notes in this space from what we discuss.)


5. S

YMBO

LISM

In literature, symbolism is when an _________ (like a flower) or a phenomenon (like color/weather) “represent” something __________ (like “life”).

Robert Frost purposely chose to use natural elements (like flowers) in this poem. The poem’s storyline mimics the life cycle AND the sun rise/sunset of a day. (Whoa.)

SHORT ANSWER: Why do YOU think Frost chose to use the symbolism and/or metaphor of NATURE to convey his point(s) in this poem?


© Secondary Sara


6.AL

LUSI

ON

Allusion: when one text mentions/refers to __________ text, piece of art, historical event, mythology, etc.

Eden: In Christianity and Judaism, it is believed that God made a beautiful “Garden of Eden”, but the first two humans on Earth (Adam and Eve) sinned and were kicked out of Eden. This event is sometimes referred to as “the fall” or “the fall of man”.

SHORT ANSWER: Why do you think Frost alluded to Eden in this poem? (Hint: How does it reinforce his theme or message?)


7.TO

NE &

MOO

D

An author’s __________ is the word choices he/she uses and the “attitude”, connotation, or emotion the words contain. (For example, are those word choices positive or negative?)

A text’s _________ is the atmosphere or emotion created BY the tone/word choices. (For example, a negative tone might create a depressing mood.)

SHORT ANSWER: Look at the word choices that Frost is using to describe nature (and/or life). What do YOU think is the mood of this poem? Is it sad/depressing, or is it neutral and stating facts? (Or, do you believe something different entirely?)


8. T

HEM

E

A theme is an author’s direct or implied ____________ to readers. SHORT ANSWER: What do you think is the theme or “point” of this poem? (Does it JUST state an

opinion about nature, or does it convey anything bigger about life?)


THE

OUTS

IDER

S SE Hinton didn’t choose this poem randomly. Why do you think she had Ponyboy teach this poem to Johnny, AND why did Johnny say it “back” to Ponyboy when he advised to “Stay gold”?

SECRET PHRASE UNSCRAMBLE: Copy all the secret letters here, and then see if you can decode the hidden message!

© Secondary Sara


Station 1: Figurative Language

“Nature’s first green is gold…” Simile: Comparing two things using the words like or as. Metaphor: Comparing two things without using “like” or “as”. Figurative language: describing or comparing things in a

non-literal way. This is an “umbrella term” or category; simile and metaphor are both figurative language.

SHORT ANSWER: When Frost says that nature’s first green is “gold”, is he being literal about the color, or is this a metaphor? (What is he saying in this line?) See back…

ANSWERS:

Your answers may vary. I personally think he is NOT being literal, and that rather, he’s calling it “good” or “new” or “valuable”.

Hint: Isn’t a sunrise “gold” at the beginning of a day? (Save this thought for later.)

This station’s secret letter is: G


Station 2: alliteration“…her hardest hue to hold.” Alliteration: When several words in a row (or somewhat

close to each other) all start with the same letter or sound.

Consonance: Alliteration with consonant letters/sounds

Assonance: Alliteration with vowel letters/sounds Skim the poem. Annotate at least one moment each of

consonance and assonance.

ANSWERS:

Line 1: green/gold Line 2: her/hardest/hue/hold Line 3: (the letter “L”): early/leaf’s/flower Line 5: leaf/ leaf Line 6: (the “E” sound): Eden/grief Line 7: dawn/down/day

This station’s secret letter is: O


Station 3: Rhyme & Structure

“Her early leaf’s a flower…” Rhyme Scheme: The pattern of how lines in a stanza

rhyme together (ex: AABBCCAA) External Rhyme (or “end rhyme”): When the last

words/ends of lines of poetry rhyme Skim the poem. What kind of rhyme scheme is does it

have? FIGURE IT OUT and then SEE BACK…. When two lines have end rhyme together, it is called a couplet.

Therefore, this poem is fully made up of rhyming couplets.

ANSWERS:

AABBCCDD

This station’s secret letter is: Y


Station 4: ASK THE TEACHER

“…but only so an hour.”

(At this station, talk to me about any moments in the poem you like, dislike, or find confusing. Feel free to take optional notes in this space from what we discuss.)

ANSWERS:

This station’s secret letter is: S


Station 5: symbolism“Then leaf subsides to leaf.” In literature, symbolism is when an object (like a flower) or a

phenomenon (like color/weather) “represent” something abstract (like “life”).

Robert Frost purposely chose to use natural elements (like flowers) in this poem. The poem’s storyline mimics the life cycle AND the sun rise/sunset of a day. (Whoa.)

SHORT ANSWER: Why do YOU think Frost chose to use the symbolism and/or metaphor of NATURE to convey his point(s) in this poem?

ANSWERS:

Your answers will vary, because this is somewhat an opinion question. Just make sure your answer is logical and that you have a valid reason why you think so.

This station’s secret letter is: A


Station 6: allusion“So Eden sank to grief…” Allusion: when one text mentions/refers to another text, piece

of art, historical event, mythology, etc. Eden: In Christianity and Judaism, it is believed that

God made a beautiful “Garden of Eden”, but the first two humans on Earth (Adam and Eve) sinned and were kicked out of Eden. This event is sometimes referred to as “the fall” or “the fall of man”.

SHORT ANSWER: Why do you think Frost alluded to Eden in this poem? (Hint: How does it reinforce his theme or message?)

ANSWERS:

Your answers may vary a little, but here’s one plausible answer.

The garden of Eden didn’t last; it didn’t “stay”. Therefore, nothing else does, or at least nothing else that’s related to nature.

This station’s secret letter is: L

ANSWERS:

This is an opinion question, so your answers may vary. Make sure you have text evidence to back up your thoughts.


Station 7: Tone & Mood“So dawn goes down to day.” An author’s tone is the word choices he/she uses and the

“attitude”, connotation, or emotion the words contain. (For example, are those word choices positive or negative?)

A text’s mood is the atmosphere or emotion created BY the tone/word choices. (For example, a negative tone might create a depressing mood.)

SHORT ANSWER: Look at the word choices that Frost is using to describe nature (and/or life). What do YOU think is the mood of this poem? Is it sad/depressing, or is it neutral and stating facts? (Or, do you believe something different entirely?)

ANSWERS:


This station’s secret letter is: D

ANSWERS:



Station 8: theme“Nothing gold can stay.” A theme is an author’s direct or implied message to readers. SHORT ANSWER: What do you think is the theme or

“point” of this poem? (Does it JUST state an opinion about nature, or does it convey anything bigger about life?)

ANSWERS:


This station’s secret letter is: D

ANSWERS:

There’s no one right answer here. Just make sure your idea is based on the text and not just a made-up opinion.

(There is no secret letter at this station.)


Station 9: THE OUTSIDERS

SE Hinton didn’t choose this poem randomly. Why do you think she had Ponyboy teach this poem to Johnny, AND why did Johnny say it “back” to Ponyboy when he advised to “Stay gold”?

ANSWERS:

There’s no one right answer here. Just make sure your idea is based on the text and not just a made-up opinion.

(There is no secret letter at this station.)

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