NAME _____________________________________

1

Nothing Gold Can Stay
By Robert Frost

Natures first green is gold, _____
Her hardest hue to hold. _____
Her early leafs 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. _____

1. RHYME SCHEME
a. What is the rhyme scheme of this poem? Write the letters indicating the rhyme scheme on the given lines.
If you need help, watch this tutorial: Rhyme Scheme

2. ALLITERATION
a. Watch the video to review alliteration: Alliteration
b. Then, find at least two examples of alliteration. Write them below and underline the letter(s) that creates
the alliterated sound effect.

i. ________________________________________________________________
ii. ________________________________________________________________

3. ALLUSION
a. Look up the definition for allusion at Allusion
b. Then, explain the allusion to Eden (as in the Garden of Eden) in line 6 by explaining what book it alludes
to and what the allusion means?




4. PERSONIFICATION

a. What is being personified in the poem?


b. How is it personified?


c. Why does the author make this decision? Why is the personification made female not male?



5. THEME: Watch this awesome video at Nothing Gold Can Stay Vimeo

a. How do the images in the video convey the meaning of the poem?


b. In your own words, summarize the theme, or message, of Nothing Gold Can Stay.




NAME _____________________________________
2

CHOOSE ONE OPTION. USE THE SPACE BELOW or ATTACH ANOTHER SHEET TO COMPLETE THE ASSIGNMENT.
Be sure to turn this sheet in with your assignment, please.
10 possible points

1. Write one paragraph explaining how the theme of this poem (the fleeting nature of the ideal and the perfect) is
reflected in the events of the novel so far. Be sure to have the following:
o a topic sentence
o three supporting details from the novel that support the theme (be sure to explain how they support it!)
o a concluding sentence.


2. Draw a picture of the church where Pony and Johnny go at sunrise, echoing the images of the poem in your picture.
Label the picture with lines or phrases from the poem to show the connections. Be sure to do the following:
o Draw a neat and detailed picture of the scene from the novel. Color is mandatory.
o Label the picture with at least 5 lines/phrases from the poem to show the connections.


3. Write a poem about sunset. Your poem should include the following and all should be labeled before submitting it:
o at least 8 lines long
o a consistent and clear rhyme scheme
o two instances of alliteration
o use of at least one additional poetic device (simile, metaphor, personification, allusion, theme, etc.)