STICK-TOGETHER FAMILIES
Subject: English Literature
Class: 9th Grade
Duration: 45 minutes
Topic: Poetry - "The Stick-together Families" by Edgar Albert Guest (Unit 7, Term III)
1. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this lesson, the teacher aims to help students:
- Understand the central theme of family unity and its importance for happiness
- Analyze the poem's structure, rhyme scheme (AABBCC pattern), and use of repetition
- Recognize Edgar Guest's message about the value of family over external pleasures
- Develop reading comprehension through lyrical and philosophical poetry
- Build vocabulary related to family, emotions, and social relationships
- Appreciate how poetry conveys moral and social values
- Compare and contrast "stick-together families" with those who drift apart
- Understand the metaphor of "fireside" as symbol of home and family warmth
2. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will be able to:
- Spend quality time with family members regularly
- Value family bonds over constant pursuit of pleasure with strangers
- Participate actively in family gatherings and traditions
- Support siblings and relatives during good times and difficulties
- Appreciate home as the primary source of happiness and contentment
- Balance friendships with family commitments appropriately
- Build strong family relationships through shared experiences and communication
- Recognize that true joy comes from close relationships, not material or distant pleasures
3. INTRODUCTION (5 minutes)
Engaging Questions:
- "What activities does your family do together? Do you eat meals together, play games, celebrate festivals?"
- "Do you prefer spending all your time with friends outside or also enjoy time with family at home? Why?"
- "What does the phrase 'stick together' mean to you? How do families stick together?"
- "Can you share a time when your family supported you during a difficult situation?"
- "What makes you happiest when you're at home with your family?"
4. READING AND UNDERSTANDING (8 minutes)
New Vocabulary with Meanings:
| Word | Meaning | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Stick-together | Staying united and loyal to each other | Stick-together families are happier by far |
| Separate highways | Different paths; going separate ways | Brothers and sisters who take separate highways |
| Gladdest | Happiest; most joyful | The gladdest people living |
| Wholesome | Healthy, good, and morally sound | The wholesome folks who make a circle |
| Fireside | Area around a fireplace; represents home | A circle at the fireside |
| Conventions | Large formal meetings of people | The finest conventions ever held |
| Shatter | To break suddenly into very small pieces | Quick to shatter all the little family ties |
| Harvest | To gather or receive as a result | It's bitterness they harvest |
| Fancy | To imagine or believe | Some who seem to fancy |
| Roam | To wander without a fixed purpose | For gladness they must roam |
| Astray | Away from the correct path | They travel far astray |
| Striving | Making great efforts to achieve something | Waste their lives in striving |
| Mirth | Laughter, humor, or happiness | That finds the finest mirth |
| Comrade | Friend or companion | Be comrade with your kin |
| Kin | Family members; relatives | Come back unto your kin |
| Contentment | State of peaceful happiness | If contentment you would win |
5. MIND MAP
THE STICK-TOGETHER FAMILIES
by Edgar Albert Guest
|
┌─────────┼─────────┐
| | |
HAPPY UNHAPPY THE MESSAGE
FAMILIES FAMILIES |
| | ┌───┴───┐
┌───┴───┐ ┌───┴───┐ | |
| | | | FAMILY CONTRAST
STICK THEIR BROKEN THEIR IS |
TOGETHER REWARDS APART RESULTS BEST |
| | | | | |
Unite Happier Shatter Empty True Individual
at by far family joy happiness vs.
fireside | ties | | Family
| Gladdest | Bitter- | |
Circle people Search ness Home Always
that no | pleasure | provides seeking
power Sweetest with Waste | pleasure
but music strangers lives Old with
death | | | home strangers
can Finest Each Travel roof |
break mirth wanders far shelters Cannot
| | alone astray charm find
Little Joys | | | lasting
family of Each Fancy Happiest joy
gatherings earth plays must spot |
| | with roam | Wander
When Share strangers | Gladdest far
busy fun | Think playground from
day is together Wrong strange | home
done | path friend Contentment |
| Brothers | is true | Empty
Wholesome & sisters Like | Fireside pursuit
folks who pleasure Wander warmth |
| share far far | Never
Make | from | Brothers satisfied
circle Together home Strive & sisters |
| | | for joy who Search
Finest Happy Waste far share for
conventions spot time away fun distant
| | | | | joy
Daily Sweetest Rich Think Rewards: |
gathering music & friends Sweetest |
| | poor with music Result:
Simple Charm folk strangers Finest Bitter-
pleasures of | better mirth ness
| life Imagine | Charm &
Source | wise Searching of life empty
of joy Home | for | hearts
provides Foolish pleasure Come
all | alone back
needed Quick | to
to Wrong family
shatter path
ties
6. CONSOLIDATION AND PRESENTATION (8 minutes)
Summary of the Lesson:
"The Stick-together Families" by Edgar Albert Guest is a deeply moving poem that celebrates family unity as the true source of happiness and fulfillment in life. Written by the "People's Poet," this work uses simple language and clear imagery to convey a powerful message about the importance of maintaining strong family bonds in a world that often pulls people apart.
Stanza 1 - The Happy Families:
The poem opens with a direct statement of its central thesis: "The stick-together families are happier by far / Than the brothers and the sisters who take separate highways are." Guest immediately establishes a contrast between families that remain united and those whose members drift apart, taking "separate highways" in life.
He describes the happiest people as "the wholesome folks who make / A circle at the fireside that no power but death can break." The image of a "circle at the fireside" is powerful and multi-layered:
- Circle represents unity, equality, and inclusion—everyone has a place
- Fireside symbolizes home warmth, comfort, and gathering place
- No power but death can break emphasizes the strength and permanence of these bonds
The stanza concludes with a beautiful paradox: "the finest of conventions ever held beneath the sun / Are the little family gatherings when the busy day is done." By calling simple daily family gatherings "the finest conventions," Guest elevates ordinary family time to something more valuable than any grand formal meeting.
Stanza 2 - The Broken Families:
The second stanza introduces those who make the mistake of valuing individual pleasure over family unity. Guest notes that both "rich folk" and "poor folk"—people of all economic backgrounds—can fall into this trap. They "imagine they are wise" in pursuing their own paths, but they're actually foolish.
These individuals are "very quick to shatter all the little family ties." The word "shatter" is particularly harsh—suggesting violent, irreparable breaking of something delicate and valuable. Each person "goes searching after pleasure in his own selected way," preferring to "wander" and "play" with "strangers" rather than family.
The consequence is clear and bitter: "it's bitterness they harvest, and it's empty joy they find." The metaphor of "harvesting bitterness" suggests that what we plant (isolation, self-centeredness) is what we ultimately reap. The "joy" they find with strangers is "empty"—superficial, unsatisfying, lacking the depth of familial love.
The stanza concludes with wisdom: "the children that are wisest are the stick-together kind."
Stanza 3 - The Wanderers:
The third stanza continues examining those who seek happiness away from home. Some people "fancy that for gladness they must roam, / That for smiles that are the brightest they must wander far from home." They believe happiness requires distance from family, that "the strange friend is the true friend."
Guest diagnoses this as traveling "far astray"—departing from the right path. These people "waste their lives in striving for a joy that's far away," pursuing an illusion. The happiness they seek is actually close at hand—at home—but they can't see it.
In contrast, "the gladdest sort of people, when the busy day is done, / Are the brothers and the sisters who together share their fun."
Stanza 4 - The Call Home:
The final stanza brings together all the poem's themes in a powerful conclusion. "It's the stick-together family that wins the joys of earth, / That hears the sweetest music and that finds the finest mirth." The sensory imagery—"sweetest music," "finest mirth"—suggests that family life engages all our senses and emotions in the most fulfilling way.
"It's the old home roof that shelters all the charm that life can give"—home is not just physical shelter but emotional and spiritual shelter. There you find "the gladdest play-ground" and "the happiest spot to live."
The poem ends with a direct appeal: "And, O weary, wandering brother, if contentment you would win, / Come you back unto the fireside and be comrade with your kin." Guest addresses those who have strayed, offering them a path back. The tone is compassionate, not judgmental.
Key Themes:
- Family unity as source of true happiness
- Home as emotional and spiritual shelter
- Shared experiences vs. individual pleasure-seeking
- The emptiness of pursuing distant joys
- The wisdom of maintaining family bonds
7. REINFORCEMENT (5 minutes)
Additional Information:
-
Edgar Albert Guest (1881-1959): British-born American poet who became the "People's Poet" by writing about ordinary life, family values, and everyday experiences in accessible language. He wrote over 11,000 poems celebrating family and home life.
-
Historical Context: Written in the early 20th century when industrialization and urbanization were pulling families apart as people moved to cities for work.
-
"Fireside" Symbolism: Before modern entertainment, families literally gathered around the fireplace for warmth, light, conversation, and togetherness.
-
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCC (couplets) creates a gentle, song-like quality that makes the poem memorable.
-
Universal Appeal: Though rooted in Western family structure, the values resonate across cultures, including Indian joint family traditions.
-
Modern Research: Contemporary psychology confirms Guest's intuition—studies show regular family meals, shared activities, and strong family bonds predict better mental health and life satisfaction.
-
Balance, Not Isolation: The poem doesn't advocate never leaving home, but rather warns against valuing external relationships over family bonds.
-
Indian Context: Aligns well with Indian cultural emphasis on joint families, respect for elders, family festivals, and maintaining strong extended family bonds.
8. EVALUATION
a) Lower Order Thinking Question (Knowledge/Comprehension)
Question: "According to the poem, what characteristics define 'stick-together families,' and what happens to families who 'shatter all the little family ties'? List at least three outcomes for each type of family."
Expected Answer:
Stick-together families:
- Make "a circle at the fireside that no power but death can break"
- Hold "little family gatherings when the busy day is done"
- "Together share their fun" as brothers and sisters
- Hear "the sweetest music" and find "the finest mirth"
- Win "the joys of earth"
- Find the "happiest spot to live" at home
- Experience true contentment and gladness
Families who shatter ties:
- Take "separate highways"—go their own ways
- Search for pleasure "in his own selected way"
- Wander and play "with strangers"
- "Harvest bitterness" as a result
- Find only "empty joy"
- "Waste their lives in striving for a joy that's far away"
- Travel "far astray" from the right path
- Remain "weary" and "wandering" without contentment
b) Middle Order Thinking Question (Application/Analysis)
Question: "Analyze the line 'It's the old home roof that shelters all the charm that life can give.' What does Guest mean? How can students today apply this wisdom to balance time between family, friends, school activities, and technology?"
Expected Answer:
What Guest means: The "old home roof" represents home and family as more than just physical shelter. It "shelters" (protects, preserves, provides) "all the charm that life can give"—meaning the deepest pleasures and joys come from family relationships, not distant pursuits.
Application to modern student life:
Daily Family Time:
- Instead of eating meals separately while watching phones/TV
- Do this: Have at least one meal daily together without devices, sharing about the day
Quality Over Quantity:
- Instead of spending hours online chatting with strangers
- Do this: Limit social media, prioritize face-to-face family time
Share Activities:
- Instead of everyone doing separate activities in separate rooms
- Do this: Plan weekly family game night, movie night, or activity everyone enjoys
Balance Friends and Family:
- Instead of always choosing friends over family
- Do this: Some weekends with family, some with friends
Be Present:
- Instead of physically at home but mentally elsewhere (on phone)
- Do this: When home, actually engage—talk, listen, help, play
c) Higher Order Thinking Question (Synthesis/Evaluation)
Question: "Evaluate Guest's claim that 'stick-together families' are happier than those who pursue individual pleasures. Is this always true? Create a 'Family Unity Charter' for your own family that balances Guest's wisdom with modern realities."
Expected Answer:
Evaluation: Guest's claim has merit—research confirms family connection predicts wellbeing more than material pleasures. However, healthy families also allow individual growth. The key is balance.
9. REMEDIAL TEACHING
Strategy for Slow Learners:
-
Simple Core Message: "FAMILIES WHO STAY TOGETHER ARE HAPPIER"
- Stick together = stay united, spend time together
- Happier = more joy, less sadness
-
Two-Column Comparison:
STICK-TOGETHER | BROKEN-APART Happy ☺ | Sad ☹ Together | Separate Share fun | Alone At home | Wandering Sweet music | Bitterness Real joy | Empty joy Content | Always searching -
Picture Story:
- Picture 1: Family eating dinner together, smiling
- Picture 2: Family playing games together, laughing
- Picture 3: Person alone with strangers, looks unhappy
- Picture 4: Person coming back home to family, looks relieved
-
Fill-in-the-Blank:
- "The stick-together families are _______ (happier)"
- "They make a circle at the _______ (fireside)"
- "Brothers and sisters who _______ share their fun (together)"
- "Come back to your _______ (family/kin)"
-
Personal Connection:
- "When did your family make you happy?"
- "What do you like doing with your family?"
-
Memory Aid - "FAMILY":
- Fun together
- Always support each other
- Meals shared
- Important to stay close
- Love each other
- You are happiest at home
10. WRITING ACTIVITY (8 minutes)
Writing Task:
"Write either a poem OR a paragraph (150-180 words) titled 'My Stick-Together Family.' Include:
- What activities your family does together
- How your family supports each other during difficult times
- What makes you happy when you're with your family
- One family tradition you love or want to start
- Why you think Guest is right (or wrong) that families who stick together are happier
- How you plan to keep your family close as you grow older"
Guidelines:
If writing a POEM:
- Try to use rhyming words
- 3-4 stanzas of 4 lines each
- Describe your family's "fireside" moments
- Use at least 2 vocabulary words from the lesson
If writing a PARAGRAPH:
- Write in first person ("My family..." or "We...")
- Give specific examples
- Include at least 3 vocabulary words
- End with a commitment for the future
11. FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES
Homework Assignment:
- Family Memory Interview: Interview a parent or grandparent about their favorite family memory. Write a paragraph (120-150 words) including what the memory is, who was involved, why it's special, and what you learned about family importance.
Additional Activities:
-
Family Tree Project: Create a detailed family tree with photos/drawings and brief descriptions of each person.
-
Gratitude Letters: Write a thank-you letter (100-120 words) to a family member expressing appreciation for their support.
-
Family Time Log: For one week, track time spent with family, activities done together, and feelings.
-
Recipe Collection: Collect 2-3 family recipes with stories behind them.
-
Photo Essay: Create "My Family's Happiest Moments" with photos/drawings and captions.
-
Plan a Gathering: Organize a special family activity—game night, cooking together, picnic.
-
Comparative Poetry: Compare this with Guest's "Courage" poem (if studied).
-
Modern Adaptation: Rewrite one stanza in modern language and context.
-
Family Unity Campaign: Create awareness materials for school about importance of family time.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
- Comprehension of poem's message (25%)
- Understanding of family values (25%)
- Vocabulary comprehension and usage (20%)
- Personal application and reflection (20%)
- Poetic analysis skills (10%)
RESOURCES NEEDED:
- Printed copies of the poem
- Chart paper for comparison charts
- Pictures illustrating family gatherings
- Audio recording of the poem (if available)
CROSS-CURRICULAR CONNECTIONS:
- Social Studies: Family structures across cultures
- Values Education: Respect for elders, sibling relationships
- History: Evolution of family in modern society
- Art: Creating family trees, posters
- Life Skills: Communication, cooperation, time management
