Nothing Gold Can Stay

1. My own experience bears out the idea that "nothing gold can stay" is that everything in my life that is precious or good somehow changed, whether it fades away or dies. Gold symbolizes wealth and beauty and I have experienced wealth at one point in my life and it changed dramatically, now I am living pay check to pay check.

2. The lines I felt easiest to understand is "Her hardest hue to hold", "The leaf subsides to leaf", "Her early leaf's a flower". The lines most puzzling for me is "But only so an hour", "So dawn goes down to day".

3. Nature's first green "gold" is the buds on the trees before they start to blossom. The golden hue is hard to "hold" because eventually all the golden colors turn to green with the changing of seasons.

4. Dawn "goes down" to day because the leaf's fall to the ground during the changing of the seasons. The changing of the seasons is what is implied about the relationship between dawn and day.

5. The connection between the dawn day relationship and the green to gold movement is the changing of leaf colors from green to gold.

6. The last line is related to all before it because the color gold with all its beauty does not last forever. It fades away and turns to another color. That nothing can ever stay the same, things do change over time.

7. The reference to "Eden" is referred to nature. The reference to the loss the humankind suffered in the garden of Eden is relevant to the other images in the poem because all life eventually dies at some point and reincarnated into something else beautiful. It is called the circle of life.

8. Gold is so highly valued becaues it is becoming rare and so little of it. Certain human experiences are so highly valued because some of life's experiences will only happen once in a lifetime, so people take a great deal of pride and value in that experience.

Ethan Frome final analysis

In the end, Ethan and Mattie's desire to be together has turned into a tragedy. Because Ethan and Mattie know that running off together will not work, they decide that the only way to be together forever is to kill themselves. So, that final trip down the hill was meant to run right into the big Elm tree and they were to die together. However, their plan did not work. Now they are stuck in an old run down farm house with the one person they were both trying to get away from, Zeena, the sickly, ill mannered wife of Ethans'. The irony of their plan is that Zeena, whos health is suddenly better, is taking care of Ethan and Mattie after the accident. Moreover, Ethan and Mattie will be together as planned, just not as happily ever after as they has hoped, but in misery.


My response to the conclusion of this story is shocking. I truely hoped Mattie and Ethan would end up together in happiness away from Zeena. It is funny though how Zeena's health suddenly was well enough to care for Ethan and Mattie. Makes the reader wonder just how devious she really is. However, the fate of Ethan and Mattie for trying to kill themselves instead of being honest with Zeena about their feelings lays in the hands of their own devious acts.

Ethan Frome analysis 1

The setting takes place in a cold wintery village in Starkfield, Massachutetts. Where Ethan lives on a farm with his wife Zeena and her cousin, Mattie. The village is a lonely, dark place during the winter months.
The plot of the Story of Ethan Frome is a complex plot, told in the first person point of view by the narrator. The narrator's interest in Ethan Frome, the protagaonist in the story, grows stronger everytime he sees Ethan. The narrator hires Ethan to give him a ride back and forth to the next town for business. The narrator, with curiousity is determined to get to know Ethan. As the plot thickens, the reader learns that Ethan and his wife are distant with each other. This is where the theme of the story comes into play. Ethan, a hard working man, grows feeling for his wifes cousin, Mattie, a major character in the story, who has come to stay with them because she has no where else to go. Mattie is to help around the house to take the load off of Zeena. Zeena, a major character in the story, is sickly appears to be distant from Ethan. Very little conversation takes place between Ethan and Zeena. Meanwhile, these feelings that Ethan has for Mattie sets into play, the conflict of the story. Mattie's feelings for Ethan seem to be growing as well. Zeena, although quiet and somewhat cold towards Ethan and Mattie, senses the feelings that are growing between Ethan and Mattie. Thus, when Zeena returns home from her visit with the doctor, she informs Ethan that she has hired another girl to come in and take over the household duties. Zeena wants to send Mattie away, her jealousy is apparent at this point. Ethan on the other hand, is unhappy about the decision that his wife has made and tries to reason with her.




My prediction of how the story is going to end is that Mattie will end up staying with Zeena and Ethan and Zeena's jealousy will progress. Along with Zeena's "sickness", the jealousy will cause her to become even more distant and eventually the stress of it all will cause her to die. Meanwhile, Ethan and Mattie will end up together.

Ethan Frome: setting and characters

The setting for Ethan Frome takes place in a small, snow filled village in Starkfield, Massachusettes where Ethan Frome had a saw mill farm.

The characters of the story thus far are Ethan Frome; the protagonist of the story. Ethan is a poor saw mill farmer who seems to be confused about his feelings for his wife and her cousin, which lives with them. Zeena Frome; a major character is the story is Ethans wife who is very sickly and seems to have a bit of hostility towards Ethan and her cousin. Mattie Silver; is also a major character in the story. Mattie is Zeena's cousin who came to live with them to help care for Zeena. She is a young and beautiful girl in which Ethan becomes infatuated with her and it appears that Mattie might feel an attraction to Ethan as well. Denis Eady; a minor character in the story is a rich young Irish man who also seems to fancy Mattie, which causes Ethan to feel some jealousy towards Denis. Jotham Powell; also a minor character in the story is Ethan's hired man. Jotham only part in the story thus far is to help out around the farm.

My reaction to the story Ethan Frome is that I think that Ethan is a pig of a man who should not be worrying about what Mattie is doing, but worrying about his wifes well-being. As for Mattie, I think she is using her beauty to her advantage knowing how Ethan feels about her. Zeena is her family that has taken her in to her home, not to fall for her husband, but to help Zeena with the chores around the house due to Zeena's illnesses. That to me, seems selfish and disgraceful on Mattie's part. As for Zeena, her hostility towards Ethan and Mattie is well deserving. She should throw Mattie out as it seems she is not doing such good work around the house anyway.

Death of a Salesman Part Two

The significance of the title is that Willy talks about a salesman, David Singleman, who was very well liked. When he died people from all over the world came to his funeral. Willy wants to be remembered and liked just like good old David. This is his ideal way of dying. However, when it came time for Willy's funeral, only his family showed up. The kinds of deaths that might be referred to is that Willy lost his sense of reality; it died with his dream of being a well liked and remembered salesman. His dreams of becoming financially successful had died. Finally, Willy kills himself; death by suicide.

The name of the character Happy is significant because he always tried to do the right thing and make everyone happy around him, mostly his father Willy. His real name is Harold, which means power. Although he is physically strong, he has always shadowed Biff. Biff is a name that reminds me of someone that has biffed it; fell down. In the play, Biff does biff it in life. He does not succeed in graduating from high school. He moves around from job to job. He can not seem to find himself or the right women. Most of all he never succeeds in making his father proud of him again after not graduating. In the end he gives up all together, washing his hands pretty much of his family.

Death of a Salesman

The theme of the play seems to be that Willy is getting dementia. He has grown tired from all the traveling he does as a salesman. Willy starts reminiscing about the past, only remembering the good times with his brother, memories of his father, and when his boys were younger and thought so highly of him. Willy talking to having conversations with himself, yet thinking he is talking to others symbolizes the fact that he is loosing his mind. The dialogue affects the readers because Willy speaks with such harshness not only to his wife, but to his son Biff. Perhaps he is this way with Biff because Willy feels as if Biff has moved on and forgotten him. They used to be so close and now they barely speak without an argument of some sort.

My reaction to the play thus far is that it started out kinda interesting but then became very confusing due to the flashbacks that Willy was having. I couldn't keep track of what was really going on in the play. After reading it a second time, I started to understand what was going on with Willy and the reasoning for the flashbacks. I believe he is very lonely and truly just wants people to notice him again. That is why he keeps having the accident in the car. I don't feel he is trying to kill himself, just get noticed. I predict that Biff will run off again to never return home and Happy will stay around to help his mother. Willy, because Biff has gone again, will continue to grow more depressed and his dementia will overcome him and eventually kill him.

"The Glass Menagerie" part two

The relevance of The Glass Menagerie and today's readers and theatergoers is that this play demonstrates the truth about everyday life and the reality that people live. Things are not that much different today as they were sixty years ago in regard to a husband walking out on his family. This is more common in today's world. Today's readers and theatergoers in reality have experienced or know someone who has experienced the drama we have read about in this play. The play shows some resentment among the mother and son. Tom wanting to be free and live an adventure sorta like his father, but yet feels this obligation to his mother and sister to stay and be the bread winner of the family. I believe a lot of readers and theatergoers having been through that situation before or are maybe going through it now.

The play has retained its popularity because it depicts real life in many aspects. As in, being a single mother trying to raise children and see to it that they have a future. This is reality with most mothers. Something that any parent wants for their children. In the play, Amanda just doesn't seem to understand Tom and why he is always going to the movies and never stays home. Yet Tom doesn't understand why his mother pushes so hard for him to be successful in life. As with today's parents and children, parent strive to push their kids into being a success and to live descent lives, and children just want their parents to leave them alone. Also, in the play, Laura feels allot of anxiety and low self-esteem. This is a big issue in today's world. Anxiety is one of the most common mental issues among all people, young or old. This causes people to become somewhat of a loner and they tend to escape onto a fantasy world of their own. The Glass Menagerie presents the truth about everyday life. So this is why is has retained its popularity.

The Glass Menagerie

In "The Glass Menagerie" the setting seems to take place in the south during the mid 1900's. I believe the theme of this play thus far, is the mother Amanda is always wanting to find her daughter Laura a gentleman caller. The glass figurines symbolizes Laura's shyness and inability to find a gentlemen caller. The figurines is all she has and all she cares about right now in her life. I believe that Amanda, the mother is so bored with her own life that she has made it a vow to take over her children's lives. Tom, however is getting quite tired of this and finally stands up for himself.

My reaction to the first five scenes was at first it started out boring and slowly I became engrossed in the play. I kept imagining myself in Laura's shoes with having my mother always riding me about needing to find a gentleman friend and making something of myself. My Response to the play is that Amanda is always doing this with both the kids, more so with Laura though. Amanda appears sincere about her affection for both Tom and Laura. However, she is very overbearing and persistent with interfering in their lives. I predict that in the end, now that Tom has invited his friend from work over for dinner, that Laura and Jim will get along good and it will love at first sight. Tom will move out and go on with his life the way he wants to live it. As for Amanda, she is going to finally be left alone with no one to fuss about and this will in turn drive her crazy.

"Marriage is a Private Affair"

My reaction to this story is sadness. Although I realize that different cultures have many different beliefs, I just do not understand how a parent can turn their back on any of their childern. In my opinion, regardless of what that child has done it is a parents duty to always have unconditional love for their children. Turning your back on a child is unexceptable. No one is perfect, and everyone makes mistakes. However, I was also disappointed by the stories ending. I was anticipating the father, after reading the letter from Nene about his grandsons, to put an end to disowning his son and come to terms with the decision that Nnaemeka had made in marrying Nene and finally allow them to be in his life. Instead, we are left with an ending of wondering what happened.

"Everyday Use"

Dee wanted the churn's top to use as a centerpiece for her alcove table and she will figure some artistic way of using the dasher. As for the quilts, Dee did not want them when offered to her when she went away to college as they old-fashioned and out of style then. Now as she has grown up and appreciates things better Dee wants the quilts because as she states "they're priceless!" Her mother, Grandma Dee and Big Dee had pieced them together out of pieces of clothing of Grandma Dee's, Grandpa Jarrell's and a small piece that was from Great Grandpa Ezra's uniform her wore in the Civil War. Hanging the quilts is a way for her to show others and remember her heritage. Meanwhile, Maggie wanted the quilts for after she was married to put then to everyday use. She didn't need to hang them in order to remember her heritage. For her heritage is still something she lives and uses everyday.

As for the significance of the story's title "Everyday Use", I believe that it is significant because as I mentioned, Maggie will be using the quilts for "everyday use" not for something that will be hung on a wall to collect dust. Maggie can use the quilts for "everyday use" and get the same sentimental value out of them as Dee can by hanging them up and showing them from time to time,explaining to company what they are and how they were made. I believe the quilts were made with the intentions of being used on a daily basis.

"The Yellow Wallpaper"

The importance of writing to the narrator is that it is the only way she can express her freedom. She writes about her life, as depressing as it may be. Writing is the one thing in her life her husband does not have control over. It is something that she enjoys doing, even though her husband thinks it will just overwhelm her. Although, she does state "but it does exhaust me a good deal-having to be so sly about it, or else meet with heavy opposition". Non the less, writing helps her to withstand her days.

At the end of the story, the narrator finds a way to break free from her husbands control. A way to be free and finally be herself again.Gilman tears off the wallpaper to set the woman trapped behind it free. That woman being herself. Her husband faints because he thought she was would remain the same and he would always have that control over her. To care for her everyday need in a round about way. However, when he walked into the room he discovers that she has overcome all that and has finally been set free. So she creeps over him because he had been creeping over her for so long. Watching her every movement.

"The Rocking Horse Winner"

I believe the irony is that of circumstance. The mothers dislike of gambling because it has caused damage to her family in the past and the fact her young son has become lucky in gambling behind her back to make money for his mother. After all, his mother is the one that said being lucky is what causes you to have money. The importance of the irony in this story is that the mothers want for more money has drove her young son to be obsessed with becoming lucky, which in turn has made him into a gambler and ultimately cost him is life and a mother her son.

My reaction to this story is disturbing. The mother installs into her son's head that his father is unlucky and that is why they are the poor members of the family and luck is what causes you to have money. I feel you should never burden your children with money issues. Children should not have to worry about issues like that, they need to be kids and enjoy their childhood. I believe the mother, more or less, stole her son's childhood from him. In my opinion, the mother is the one who is responsilbe for her son's death. Because of her greediness for money, she created this overwhelming desire in her son's life to be lucky in money.

A Worn Path

I believe the theme of the story is that life is full of events and sometimes very trying for some people. Not many things in life come easy and many people have to work hard for what they want or need in life. Sometimes when you take one path it may lead you to many difficult situations. However, if you keep going and trying down that particular path, good things can come. Especially if it is for a good reason like life or death. Sometimes people have to do things they wouldn't typically do or sacrifice their own lives in order to save another life.


The stories plot was about an old black woman, Phoenix Jackson, whom by the way is the main character of this story, who makes a journey into town, which is miles away from her home, on a cold December day, through the woods(setting) to retrieve some medicine for her sick grandson. She encounters many difficult things along the way. She was caught by a thorn bush, in which she states, "something always take a hold of me on this hill - pleads I should stay." "Thorns, you doing your appointed work. Never to let folks pass, no sir." Another situation she encounters is the black dog that come at her and she goes into ditch. Where a white man who is a hunter and his dog find her and help her out of the ditch. The hunter runs off the black dog with his gun and his own dog. He then tries to get, Old phoenix to go on back home. She states "I bound to go to town, mister." "The time come around." Old Phoenix finally gets into town, where she stops a lady on the street and asks her to tie her shoes for her stating "Can't lace 'em with a cane." She then goes into the big building to see the doctor about getting medicine for her grandson who Old Phoenix tells after being asked how her grandson is doing, that he just the same.

Guests of the Nation

The story "Guests of the Nation" took place during the British War where two Englishmen Hawkins and Belcher, and two other men, Noble and Bonaparte, soldiers in the war are residing in a cottage together where the four of them seem to be pals. Jeremiah Donovan, another soldier appears to be the one in charge. The four men sit around and play cards and argue about the war and religion. The problem is that Bonaparte and Noble believe that they are just keeping an eye on the two Englishmen until Donovan explains that they are hostages. Donovan explains that the enemy has four of their men held as prisoners and is awaiting word on whether or not the enemy is going to shoot the four prisoners. If this happens, then Noble and Bonaparte will have to shoot the two Englishmen as a reprisal. After word comes that the four men were shot, Donovan, Noble, and Bonaparte lie to Hawkins and Belcher and tell them they have been shifted again. Moved to another area. This is to get them to the spot to which the Englishmen will be shot, quietly and peacefully. Hawkins and Belcher unaware of what is to happen, are in shock when told on the walk to the bogs of what is about to happen. Hawkins tries to more or less plead his point on the happenings. In the end, Donovan shoots both the Englishmen and they are buried.



My reaction to this story is that I felt pain and sorrow not only for the two Englishmen, but also for the two soldiers Noble and Bonaparte. I realize that in an event like war, people have to be killed in the line of duty. However, in this story, Noble and Bonaparte neither one anticipated having to shoot the two Englishmen. After all, they had shared a cottage with them and played cards on a regular basis. In the end, they had all became chums in a way. I found myself teary eyed as I reach the end of the story where Hawkins tries to plead is point on what was about to occur. I could almost feel the pain in Nobles and Bonaparte behalf. This was an excellent short story. It kept me intrigued.

The Story of an Hour

Question #7: Why does Mrs. Mallard die? To what extent is her husband responsible for her death? For her unhappiness?

I believe she dies from despair. From a broken heart because she felt monstrously joyful about finally being free. Free from her husbands dominance over her and although she states he has a kind hand, he never showed it towards her. Nor did he show her love. This caused her so much unhappiness and despair that once the reality set in that he was dead, she felt relieved and happy that finally she would be able to live for herself. However, the surprise of her husband walking through the door, alive, not dead, as she was to believe, was more than she could handle. Having a heart problem to start with, Mrs. Mallard just gave up on her own life.

Question # 8: What general idea about marriage does the story convey?

That although some married couples seem to be so happy in their marriage, in a lot of cases that is far from the truth. Some marriages are not alway what they appear to be. That not all marriages are based on love. Some are based on convenience and security. In Mrs. Mallards case, I believe she stayed married because she didn't want the embarrassment of divorce. That some people saw Mr. Mallard as having a "kind hand". Perhaps friends and family would not believe her if she told them the truth. The truth about how he treated her in private.

"A & P"

My alternative ending to this story is that after Lengel embarrasses the girls by telling them in front of other shoppers and Sammy that they are dressed inappropriate in his store, the girls leave and not only Sammy but a few of the shoppers tell Lengel that he overreacted about the way the girls were dressed, that they were not hurting anyone. However, Lengel insist that he was in the right. Sammy then quits, rushes out of the store to apologize to the girls for what his boss has done. In the meantime, with Sammy being attracted to "Queenie" from the beginning, ends up with her phone number and Lengel stuck working the checkout.