Books are my ADVIL

Text: “Nothing Gold Can Stay” – Robert Frost

 

Plot description: Frost begins the poem with a discussion of change in nature, but mentions the quickness by which these elements can change leaves and other aspects of the seasons. He also mentions the fall of Adam and Eve from Paradise, which is another huge variation, shows the changing colors of day as dawn evolves into day, and ends the poem by saying “Nothing gold can stay”.

 

Theme description: This poem discusses change and how we can be sure that nothing is permanent.  It can be related to changing friendships, or the impermanence of things in our lives. Not only does it discuss change, but it talks about how quickly it can happen, and how a person may try to hold on to something or someone in their lives.

 

Reason for appropriateness: The Essential Question is “How can change transform the way people look at the world?” which makes this short poem very relevant.  Of course, with 6th grade being the beginning of middle school, students will easily be able to relate to the concept of trying to hold on to something or moving on to something new in life. The aspect of changing friendships is also very relevant at this age, and this poem can be helpful to students who are losing old friends and making new friends as they move through a different stage of life.  This poem can be viewed with a lens of privilege by having students consider the poet’s perspective on life. Although at first glance he was the typical privileged white male writer, the fact that he was one-parent orphaned at an early age could lead to a discussion about parents’ role in social class. Students could be lead to discuss the implication of the poem that suffering exists, and the obvious contrast between suffering of different social classes.

 

Link to critical article:  http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/frost/gold.htm