Analysis of Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost

Robert Frost, one of the eminent poets, who stands at the crossroads of the 19th century and the 20th century; it has taken on the old customs, manners, traditions, etc. and shaped them with new flavors and colors. In his poetry, nature plays a fundamental role. Nature is used as a tool to communicate your own voice and philosophical thought.

“Nothing Gold can stay” is a poem of nature and the perennial theme of mutability. The poem is a clear and concise indication of transience.

In the poem, “The first green of nature is gold” means that the green of nature that springs from the earth is gold. Here, ‘nature’s first green’ is the indication of a new life, a newborn baby, a new hope, a new opportunity, a new possibility, etc. and “gold” is the precious commodity; which is a purifying, balancing and vitalizing energy or force, treasured and a symbol of beauty. Nature comes to earth with a golden mask and begins to turn green. The baby was born with purity from heaven but the innocence fades with the years. Golden time does not belong to eternity.

The next line, ‘Her tone most difficult to sustain’ is used to explain that we cannot sustain the beauty of nature, vigorous youth, and finally life. ‘Its early leaf is a flower’ indicates that after sprouting, nature begins to flourish and its first sign is a leaf that is green, a sign of virginity, freshness and purity; and the flower that is attractive, beautiful and dynamic. After a childhood journey, adulthood arrives, but “only an hour.” Here, “one hour” is a symbol of brevity.

In the last four lines, Frost describes that the leaves begin to fall after maturity. After blooming, the flowers begin to fade. The heavenly joy of ‘EDEN sank in pain’, which is used symbolically. In religion, Eden is described as a garden of heaven in which Adam and Eve lived in total innocence and pleasure before eating from the Tree of Knowledge, but lost the favors of God immediately. Even the sun shines in the morning and fades at the end of the day. The changes of nature and life are not consistent or immortal.

In the eight lines, Frost outlines the journey of mortality. The life cycle on earth is changeable and short. The child is born, experiences youth, and then old age arrives. All are short-lived. And the final destination is in death, the end of existence. Golden memories fade with time. The ‘golden age’ tenure doesn’t exist for long. The golden opportunity never comes again and again. Nothing is eternal.