One of my classes is reading The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. When students have time to read in class you can hear a pin drop. Students really relate to Ponyboy, Johnny, Cherry, the Greasers and the Socs. To help them understand the period and location of setting of the book I introduce the unit with the first part of the movie. The Outsiders opens with Stevie Wonder singing "Stay Gold." Students are used to seeing a theme throughout a movie or at the end. This surprises them. Some aren't familiar with Stevie Wonder and the song seems a bit "cheesy" as some remarked. After immersing ourselves in the book then watching the whole movie the song makes sense. Of course, it ties in nicely with "Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Robert Frost, which Ponyboy recites after he runs away. Today the song took on a whole new meaning. One of the contestants trying out on " American Idol" sang it last night. I don't watch the show, but there were certainly enough of my students that heard it last night. I was surprised they remembered the song! I found a live performance by Stevie Wonder that reminded me how important this song is to the theme of the book.
"Stay Gold"
Seize upon that moment long ago
One breath away and there you will be
So young and carefree
Again you will see
That place in time...so gold
Steal away into that way back when
You thought that all would last forever
But like the weather
Nothing can ever...and be in time
Stay gold
But can it be
When we can see
So vividly
A memory
And yes you say
So must the day
Too, fade away
And leave a ray of sun
So gold
Life is but a twinkling of an eye
Yet filled with sorrow and compassion
though not imagined
All things that happen
Will age too old
Though gold
If you haven't heard him perform this song for awhile... enjoy!
Oh, that was nice to hear. The Outsiders was one of my favorite books when I was young. I never did see the film version. It's nice to revisit those memories. Makes me want to read it again.
ReplyDeleteoh yeaaaah.. that music hit the spot.
ReplyDeleteThe Outsiders was one of my favorite books growing up as well, Nita Jo. The movie is pretty good. You'll have to watch it sometime.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard that song. It is very beautiful, especially with the personal story of yours and your class along side.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen the movie (and actually, I don't remember that particular Stevie Wonder song!) - but I loved the book when I was younger, and read it several times. It's good to know the characters are 'living on' for yet another generation.
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