Summary:
“Nothing Gold Can Stay” is a short yet deeply meaningful poem by Robert Frost, first published in 1923 in his poetry collection New Hampshire. The poem captures the fleeting nature of beauty, youth, and innocence.
Frost uses the changing seasons as a metaphor for the inevitability of change and decay. The poem begins with nature’s early gold, symbolizing the freshness of life and beauty, but quickly transitions to how this golden moment fades away—just like spring turning into summer or youth fading into age.
Through simple yet profound imagery, Frost emphasizes the temporary nature of all things, making the reader reflect on the passing of time and the transient beauty of life.
MCQs:
- Who is the poet of Nothing Gold Can Stay?
A) Walt Whitman
B) Emily Dickinson
C) Robert Frost
D) William Wordsworth
Answer: C) Robert Frost - In what year was Nothing Gold Can Stay published?
A) 1920
B) 1923
C) 1935
D) 1915
Answer: B) 1923 - What does “gold” symbolize in the poem?
A) Wealth and riches
B) The sun
C) Youth, beauty, and innocence
D) Gold jewelry
Answer: C) Youth, beauty, and innocence
Nothing Gold Can Stay - Which natural element is primarily used in the poem to convey the theme?
A) Mountains
B) The ocean
C) Seasons and plants
D) The sky
Answer: C) Seasons and plants - What does “Eden” represent in the poem?
A) A place of suffering
B) Paradise and perfection
C) A storm
D) A barren land
Answer: B) Paradise and perfection - Which poetic device is used in “Her hardest hue to hold”?
A) Metaphor
B) Alliteration
C) Simile
D) Hyperbole
Answer: B) Alliteration - What does the poem suggest about time and change?
A) Everything remains the same
B) Change is optional
C) All beautiful things fade with time
D) Nature is permanent
Answer: C) All beautiful things fade with time - How many lines does the poem contain?
A) 6
B) 8
C) 10
D) 12
Answer: B) 8 - What is the tone of the poem?
A) Hopeful and optimistic
B) Melancholic and reflective
C) Angry and frustrated
D) Humorous
Answer: B) Melancholic and reflective - Which famous novel features this poem in a significant way?
A) To Kill a Mockingbird
B) The Outsiders
C) The Great Gatsby
D) Moby Dick
Answer: B) The Outsiders
| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | Nothing Gold Can Stay |
| Poet | Robert Frost |
| Year Published | 1923 |
| Main Themes | Change, Impermanence, Transience of Beauty |
| Symbolism | Gold = Youth/Beauty, Eden = Paradise, Leaves = Change |
| Tone | Melancholic, Philosophical |
| Poetic Form | Rhymed couplets (AABBCCDD) |
| Famous Lines | “Nothing gold can stay.” |