Question

nothing gold can stay by robert frost
directions: paraphrase (rewrite in your own words) what each line of the poem means.
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. what does the author mean by saying

othing gold can stay?\

1. what do you think se hinton is foreshadowing in the outsiders by including this poem in the story?

Explanation:

• Nature's first green is gold - The initial fresh green of nature is precious like gold.
• Her hardest hue to hold - It's the most difficult color for nature to retain.
• Her early leaf's a flower - The early leaf is as beautiful as a flower.
• But only so an hour - But this beauty lasts only for a short while.
• Then leaf subsides to leaf - Then the leaf changes back to an ordinary leaf.
• So Eden sank to grief - Just as Eden (a perfect place) fell into sorrow.
• So dawn goes down to day - Dawn gives way to the ordinary day.
• Nothing gold can stay - The precious, perfect things don't last.

For question 1: The author means that all precious, beautiful, and perfect things (like the initial green, the early leaf as a flower, Eden, dawn) are transient. They don't last forever. There is an inherent impermanence in the most valuable aspects of life and nature.

For question 2: In The Outsiders, by including this poem, S.E. Hinton might be foreshadowing that the innocent, precious moments (like the friendship, the small joys) among the characters won't last. The harsh realities of their lives (social conflicts, violence, loss) will intrude. Just as the "gold" (precious things) in the poem fades, the characters' innocent or idealistic states (like Ponyboy's initial view of the world) will be lost as they face more hardships.

Answer:

• Nature's first green is gold: The initial fresh green of nature is precious like gold.
• Her hardest hue to hold: It's the most difficult color for nature to retain.
• Her early leaf's a flower: The early leaf is as beautiful as a flower.
• But only so an hour: But this beauty lasts only for a short while.
• Then leaf subsides to leaf: Then the leaf changes back to an ordinary leaf.
• So Eden sank to grief: Just as Eden (a perfect place) fell into sorrow.
• So dawn goes down to day: Dawn gives way to the ordinary day.
• Nothing gold can stay: The precious, perfect things don't last.

1. The author means all precious, beautiful, and perfect things are transient.
2. S.E. Hinton might be foreshadowing that the innocent, precious moments among the characters won't last.