Nothing gold can stay, and meeting and passing by robert frost analysis
Cheyenne Young
Johnson
AP Literature and Composition
25 September 2014
By utilizing and manipulating certain elements in a literary work such as imagery and syntax, an author manages to add emphasis and meaning to his/her work as a whole. These elements if used properly, will both convey the message the author wants to portray in his/her work, while maintaining to keep the attention of their readers. Robert Frost in “Nothing Gold Can Stay” (Frost, "Nothing Gold Can Stay"), and “Meeting and Passing” (Frost, Meeting and Passing) are only two examples of the many literary works that have successfully used imagery and syntax to take full advantage of the opportunities they create in a literary work. Imagery is a key element in both of these short poems that alter the way in which the reader ultimately perceives the work as a whole. Syntax in both of these short poems enhances its meanings and contributes towards its tone. Although these two short poems similarly use both imagery and syntax, they have distinct differences also because these elements are used in different ways to convey different messages.
For instance, the use of imagery in Frost’s “Nothing Gold Can Stay” presents eight lines that emphasize the importance of nature in this short poem. Frost starts out by stating that nature’s first green is gold. By this he is referring to the season of spring, and how the trees resemble a golden shade of color before they mature. This can also be related to the sun rising and setting, and how this appears to be golden as well. “Green is the first mark of spring, the assurance of life; yet in fact the first flush of vegetation for the New England birch and the willow is not green but the haze of delicate gold. Hence green is a theory or sign of spring; gold is the fact” (Ferguson) Frost in later lines personifies nature to be that of a woman, thus mother nature, while also stating how hard it is to maintain this shade of golden color. He then metaphorically states how
Johnson
AP Literature and Composition
25 September 2014
By utilizing and manipulating certain elements in a literary work such as imagery and syntax, an author manages to add emphasis and meaning to his/her work as a whole. These elements if used properly, will both convey the message the author wants to portray in his/her work, while maintaining to keep the attention of their readers. Robert Frost in “Nothing Gold Can Stay” (Frost, "Nothing Gold Can Stay"), and “Meeting and Passing” (Frost, Meeting and Passing) are only two examples of the many literary works that have successfully used imagery and syntax to take full advantage of the opportunities they create in a literary work. Imagery is a key element in both of these short poems that alter the way in which the reader ultimately perceives the work as a whole. Syntax in both of these short poems enhances its meanings and contributes towards its tone. Although these two short poems similarly use both imagery and syntax, they have distinct differences also because these elements are used in different ways to convey different messages.
For instance, the use of imagery in Frost’s “Nothing Gold Can Stay” presents eight lines that emphasize the importance of nature in this short poem. Frost starts out by stating that nature’s first green is gold. By this he is referring to the season of spring, and how the trees resemble a golden shade of color before they mature. This can also be related to the sun rising and setting, and how this appears to be golden as well. “Green is the first mark of spring, the assurance of life; yet in fact the first flush of vegetation for the New England birch and the willow is not green but the haze of delicate gold. Hence green is a theory or sign of spring; gold is the fact” (Ferguson) Frost in later lines personifies nature to be that of a woman, thus mother nature, while also stating how hard it is to maintain this shade of golden color. He then metaphorically states how