About the Poet

Robert Frost (March 26, 1874 - January 29, 1963) was an American poet. His work was initially published in England before it was published in the United States. Known for his realistic depictions of rural life and his mastery of American colloquial speech, Frost frequently wrote about settings from rural New England in the early 20th century, using them to explore complex social and philosophical themes.

Key Points of the Poem

Dust of Snow is a short but powerful poem. The poem highlights how even a small incident in nature can create a deep impact on a person's mood and outlook.
It captures the healing power of nature and its ability to change our perspective towards life.
Robert Frost uses very simple imagery from nature-a crow, a hemlock tree, and a fall of snow-to convey a powerful lesson about how small things can make significant differences in our outlook.
At the start, the poet is upset, but the gentle fall of snow instantly lifts his mood.
By the end, he feels calm, refreshed, and grateful to nature for saving his day from being wasted.

Visual Story: Dust of Snow

Detailed Summary

Stanza 1

The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree

In this poem, the poet is talking about a winter's day when all the treetops were covered with snowflakes. The poet was walking under one such snow-covered tree. This was a Hemlock tree. The hemlock tree is usually associated with poison and toxicity as a poison named hemlock is also derived from it. Thus, this tree cannot be associated with anything positive.
However, a crow shook the tree (perhaps by landing on a branch or moving), and because of this sudden motion, the snow from the tree fell on the poet like rain. The snowflakes were so light and small that the poet describes them as 'dust of snow' - comparing them to fine dust particles. This shower of snowflakes from the hemlock tree is the central event of the poem, as it caused a significant change in the poet's emotional state.

Stanza 2

Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued.

Now in the second stanza, the poet explains exactly in what way the shower of snowflakes had an effect on him. He says that it changed his mood. Earlier, he had been in a bad mood, but the shower of snowflakes falling on him suddenly changed his mood for the better. In addition to this, there was another effect that the shower of snowflakes had on the poet. He says that particular day was one he hadn't been looking forward to, and it hadn't been going well either.
He had been regretting how the day was going and felt it was being wasted. However, the shower of dust like snow on his shoulder changed his mind. It made him feel that the day had not been a complete waste. At least some part of that day had been saved from being wasted, as this small moment had a positive impact on him.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

Try yourself: What effect did the shower of snowflakes have on the poet?

It reminded him of summer.

CORRECT ANSWER

It changed his mood.

It made him cold.

It made him angry.

Correct Answer: B

The shower of snowflakes changed the poet's mood.

In the poem, the poet describes how the falling snowflakes from the hemlock tree had a positive effect on him. Initially feeling despairing, he felt gladdened by the snowflakes, which helped him realize that his day wasn't a complete waste. This is a great example of how nature can uplift our spirits, even in small ways.

The poet was initially upset/despairing
The snowflakes changed his mood and gladdened his heart
The day was saved from being completely wasted

Theme/ Message

Theme

1. Healing Power of Nature: Nature can uplift human spirits in the most unexpected ways.

2. Symbolism:

Crow → Often symbolises darkness or ill omen, but here it becomes a source of joy.
Hemlock tree → Symbol of sorrow/negativity, yet it gives a positive experience.
Dust of snow → Small, seemingly unimportant things can have great impact.

3. Optimism: Even gloomy situations can lead to moments of happiness.

4. Change of Mood: The poem emphasizes how perspective can shift instantly.

Message

This poem conveys the message that nothing in life is small. Even trivial things can bring positive changes in our life.
If we take things positively in life, situations do change for better. Even the small help or good gestures we do for others make large differences.

Deeper Meaning

The poet may even have been contemplating dark thoughts about life, but this incident reminded him of the value of small joys.
The crow's action of shaking snow is symbolic of an unexpected good deed, which changes the course of someone's entire day.
The snow, covering the poisonous hemlock, symbolizes purity and healing that can emerge from darkness.

Literary Devices

Rhyme Scheme- ababcdcd
Imagery: Visual images like the crow shaking snow from a hemlock tree and the 'dust of snow' falling on the poet highlight nature's impact on mood.
Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely placed words, e.g.,
Has given my heart
And saved some part
Symbolism: The crow and hemlock tree, usually seen as negative, symbolize sorrow and death but are used to show how even grim elements of nature can uplift the mood.
Inversion: When the structure of a sentence is changed by the poet to create a rhyme, the poetic license is called inversion. In stanza 1, the poetic device 'inversion' is used.
Enjambment: In enjambment, the same sentence continues to the next line without the use of any punctuation marks.
This poem is very good example of this poetic device. It is used throughout the poem. The lines of stanzas flow to the next line without any punctuation.
Metaphor: "Dust of snow" metaphorically compares snowflakes to dust, symbolizing a small but meaningful event.
Synecdoche: The word "heart" is used to represent the poet's entire emotional state.
Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds, e.g., the 'o' sound in
"Shook down on me."

Difficult Words

Dust of snow - very small, fine particles of snow that fall lightly, like dust.
Shook down - to cause something to fall by shaking. In the poem, the crow shakes the branch, and snow falls.
Hemlock - a type of tree whose branches are poisonous; symbol of sadness or negativity.
Give heart - make happy and confident
Has given my heart - has created an impact on my heart and made me feel happy and confident
Mood - state of mind
A change of mood - a change in the present condition of mind
Saved some part of a day - To make the day better; to rescue the day from being wasted in gloom or regret.
Rued-regretted deeply, felt sad deeply.

Short Answer Questions: Dust of Snow

Q1: What do the 'Hemlock' tree and 'Crow' represent? What does the dust of snow metaphorically stand for?

Ans: The crow and hemlock tree represent the sorrow and depression felt by the poet in this materialistic world. The dust of snow is the symbol of natural joy and energy. The dust of snow that the crow shakes off a hemlock tree means passing through the sad and depressing moments the poet is entering into a time full of joy and optimism.

Q2: What made the poet change his mood and how?

Ans: A crow on the hemlock tree shook down the dust of snow on the poet. The falling dust of snow on the poet has changed his mood. The poet was going somewhere on a snowy morning. He was upset. All the trees were covered with snow dust. A crow sitting on a hemlock tree shook the tree so that some dust of snow fell on the poet. This changed his mood, and he became happy and relaxed.

Q3: What was the reaction of the poet when the dust of snow fell on him?

Ans. Normally, people thought both crow and hemlock trees were inauspicious. But when the dust of snow from the hemlock tree fell on the poet, he took it in another way. He was depressed and sorrowful, but the moment the crow shook the hemlock tree and the dust of snow fell on him, he felt unburdened and relieved.

Q4: Why does the poet feel that he has saved some part of the day?

Ans: Crow shook down the dust of snow on the poet. Both crow and hemlock trees are considered inauspicious. The falling of dust of snow from hemlock trees is a bad omen. But the poet took it positively. He found himself relieved from sorrow after this incident. Now he could fruitfully use his entire day.

Q5: Who is the poet of the poem 'Dust of Snow'?

Ans: The poet of this poem is 'Robert Frost'.

Q6: Narrate a similar experience of your life when nature intervened and changed your mood. Discuss.

Ans: Normally, people thought both crow and hemlock trees were auspicious. But when the dust of snow from the hemlock tree fell on the poet, he took it another way. He was depressed and sorrowful, but the moment the crow shook the hemlock tree, and the dust of snow fell on him, he felt unburdened and relieved.

Q7: What is a "Dust of Snow"? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet's mood changed?

Ans: A 'Dust of Snow" means the fine particles of snow. This 'Dust of Snow" changed the poet's mood. The poet's mood changed from that of dismay to joy. He was holding the day in regret when this dust of snow fell on him, and this simple little thing brought him joy.

Q8: How has the poet observed nature in the poem 'Dust of Snow.'

Ans: The poet has observed nature as a positive medium of change for him. The poet has a sorrowful and depressive mood in the poem. But then in his way when a crow shook snow dust off, his mood changed. Nature inspired him to behave positively.

Q9: What is the underlying message for us in our hectic lives with reference to the poem, 'Dust of Snow'?

What is the central idea of the poem 'Dust of Snow'?

What does the poet want to convey through the poem 'Dust of Snow'?

Ans: In the poem 'Dust of Snow', the poet wants to convey that sometimes certain simple moments or actions have larger significance. They can change the mood or life of a person. The poet draws inspiration from a crow shaking off the dust from its feathers, prompting him to shed his depressive thoughts, embrace cheerfulness, and engage in productive pursuits.

Q10: Why does the poet use such a poetically uncommon bird and tree? What does it reflect?

Ans: The poet uses such poetically uncommon bird and tree because he is feeling sad and upset. These images reflect his mood because they are not typically seen as beautiful or pleasant in poetry.

Q11: What mood of the poet is reflected in the poem? How does it reflect?

Ans: The sorrowful and depressive mood of the poet is reflected in the poem. The use of the bird 'crow', which is ugly and harsh, and the hemlock tree, a poisonous plant, reflects the poet's mood.

Q12: What did the poet think of the day before the dust of snow fell on him?

Ans. Before the snow dust fell on him, the poet believed his day was spoiled and his mood was gloomy. However, when the snow dust fell on him his perspective shifted, bringing happiness and improving his mood.

Q13: Write a note on the setting of the poem.

Ans: The poem presents a perfect setting. There are four elements in the poem. All these four elements match one another. The snow stands for depression. The hemlock tree is a symbol of sadness. The crow was considered ominous. The poet's mood is also sad. But suddenly, how the crow shook the hemlock tree and the snow dust fell off changed the poet's mood.

Q14: The flow was the poet's mood? What brought a sudden change in it?

Ans: The poet was in a bad mood. He considered that his day was ruined. But when the crow shook the tree and dust of snow fell on him which changed his mood and rest of the day was saved for him.

Q15: How did the poet feel before the 'change of mood'? Why did he feel so?

Ans: The poet was in a very depressed and hopeless mood. The day offered no relief, comfort or happiness for the poet. He felt that the whole day had been wasted for nothing. Perhaps his dull and depressive mood led him to such a conclusion.

Q16: Do you think that the poet presents a very bright or cheerful side of nature in the poem? Give a reasoned answer.

Ans: No, Robert Frost has presented nature in its elemental and raw form. It is quite a dull and depressive wintry day. The fall of fine dust snow does bring a sudden change in the poet's mood. It refreshes his spirits and brings cheerfulness to his depressed spirits and mood.

Q17: Describe the scene of falling off the dust and the snow. What impact does it have on the poet?

Ans: It is a dull and depressing day of the winter. Snow is falling. The fine dust of snow has accumulated on the top of the trees. Nature seems to be in its elemental and raw state. However, the fullness of the fine dust of snow brings a sudden change in the poet's mood. His depressive spirits are uplifted, and his mood becomes cheerful.

Q18: 'The Crow' and the 'hemlock tree' are generally considered inauspicious and ominous symbols. Does the poet use them so?

Ans: 'The Crow' and 'the hemlock tree', no doubt, don't represent cheerfulness or brightness. Both of them are generally considered to be inauspicious. But 'the crow' in the poem causes the dust of snowfall on the poet. This leads to the sudden change of mood in the poet. The feeling of cheerfulness replaces the feeling of regret. Similarly, the hemlock tree is the tree under which the poet is standing and experiencing the change in his mood.

Mind Map

Key Questions

Q1: Who is the poet of the poem 'Dust of Snow'?

Solution:

The poet of the poem 'Dust of Snow' is Robert Frost, a famous American poet known for writing poems based on nature and human emotions.

Q2: What shook down the dust of snow on the poet?

Solution:

A crow sitting on a hemlock tree shook down the dust of snow on the poet. The sudden movement of the bird caused snow particles to fall from the tree.

Q3: What is meant by the phrase 'dust of snow'?

Solution:

The phrase 'dust of snow' refers to the tiny particles of snow that fell from the branches of the hemlock tree onto the poet.

Q4: What was the effect of the dust of snow on the poet?

Solution:

The dust of snow changed the poet's sad mood into a happy and positive one. It refreshed his mind and saved the remaining part of his day from being wasted.

Q5: Why was the poet feeling sad before the incident?

Solution:

The poet was feeling sad and regretful before the incident. He had been thinking negatively and was upset about how his day was going.

Q6: Why has the poet used a crow in the poem?

Solution:

The poet used a crow because it is generally considered a symbol of bad luck and negativity. However, in the poem, the crow becomes the source of a positive change in the poet's mood.

Q7: What is a hemlock tree? Why is it significant in the poem?

Solution:

A hemlock tree is a poisonous tree often associated with negativity and sadness. In the poem, it becomes important because it unexpectedly helps in changing the poet's mood positively.

Q8: How does nature influence the poet in the poem?

Solution:

Nature influences the poet by changing his mood through a simple natural incident. The falling snow helps him overcome sadness and brings positivity and hope into his mind.

Q9: What does the poet mean by 'a change of mood'?

Solution:

'A change of mood' means that the poet's feelings changed from sadness and regret to happiness and positivity after the snow fell on him.

Q10: Explain the line 'And saved some part of a day I had rued.'

Solution:

The line means that the poet had been regretting or wasting his day in sadness, but the small incident of falling snow improved his mood and made the remaining day better.

Q11: What message does the poem 'Dust of Snow' convey?

Solution:

The poem conveys that even small and unexpected incidents can bring happiness and positivity in life. Nature has the power to heal sadness and change human emotions.

Q12: How do the crow and hemlock tree represent negativity?

Solution:

The crow is often considered a symbol of bad luck, while the hemlock tree is poisonous and associated with sorrow. Both represent negativity, yet they become the source of joy for the poet.

Q13: Why is the poem called 'Dust of Snow'?

Solution:

The poem is called 'Dust of Snow' because the falling snow particles become the central event that changes the poet's mood and gives a new direction to his thoughts.

Q14: Explain the theme of the poem 'Dust of Snow'.

Solution:

The poem highlights the healing power of nature and the importance of small moments in life. It teaches that even ordinary incidents can bring hope, happiness and emotional change.

Q15: What qualities of Robert Frost's poetry are reflected in this poem?

Solution:

The poem reflects Robert Frost's simple style, deep connection with nature and ability to convey meaningful ideas through ordinary events and natural imagery.

Long Answer Questions: Dust of Snow

Q1: A positive attitude in life can make the world a better place to live in. Do you agree or disagree with the reference to the poem 'Dust of Snow'? Express your views, bringing out the inherent values.

Ans: I completely agree that a positive attitude can make the world a better place. In Robert Frost's poem, 'Dust of Snow', the poet's gloomy day is brightened by a sudden, small event: a crow shakes down snow from a hemlock tree onto him. This brief incident lifts his spirits and changes his outlook for the remainder of the day.

The poem shows how small moments can produce large changes. It highlights the ability to find brightness amid gloom and to value small joys. The message is that hope, gratitude and resilience-qualities of a positive attitude-help us face difficulties and make our personal world kinder and more pleasant.

Q2: Our attitude towards a situation evokes both negative and positive responses. Analyse this with reference to the poem, 'Dust of Snow', to bring out the inherent valuable lessons.

Ans: Our attitude shapes how we react to events and can produce either a negative or a positive outcome. In the poem, the poet begins in a sorrowful, bitter mood. When the crow shakes the tree and the dust of snow falls on him, his mood changes for the better. He could easily have reacted angrily, but instead he accepts the incident and allows it to cheer him. This shows that an open and receptive response can turn an ordinary or awkward event into a means of comfort. The poem therefore teaches the value of outlook, acceptance and readiness to notice small consolations.

Q3: The poet has succeeded in giving valuable information in a light-hearted manner. What creates the desired effect? Highlight its importance in present-day life.

Ans: Frost achieves the light-hearted effect through plain, economical language and striking contrasts. He uses simple words, a very short scene and vivid images-the dark crow, the hemlock and the fine dust of snow-to move quickly from gloom to cheer. The sudden reversal of mood is made more powerful by the poem's brevity and clear imagery. In present-day life, when people often face stress and hurry, this compact way of finding consolation in small events is especially important. It reminds readers to notice brief but genuine moments of relief and joy.

Q4: There are times when we feel depressed and hopeless. We think that things will never change. Suddenly, a change comes in our mood when cheerfulness replaces the sense of regret. Justify the above statement in the context of the poem 'Dust of Snow'.

Ans: Change is a natural part of life, and moods can shift as quickly as weather. In the poem, the poet believes his day has been wasted and feels hopeless. The falling of the fine dust of snow, however, brings an immediate change in his feelings. That small, unexpected incident redeems part of his day and replaces regret with cheerfulness. The poem therefore demonstrates that hope can return through a brief, unexpected moment and that even a little change can restore a sense of balance.

Q5: Poets have a great power of imagination. Robert Frost also explains his imagination very well and proves that sometimes the bad symbols change into a boon. Discuss.

Ans: Poets use imagination to find fresh meaning in ordinary events. Robert Frost transforms commonly unfavourable symbols-the noisy crow and the poisonous-sounding hemlock-into instruments of good by showing how they bring the dust of snow that lifts the poet's spirits. This imaginative reversal, where what seems unlucky becomes helpful, shows a poet's power to reframe experience and reveal hope in unlikely places. It teaches readers to look beyond first impressions and find value where it is least expected.

Q6: Our mental condition depends on our surroundings, and it can be changed according to them. Explain and prove.

Ans: Our surroundings influence our mood and outlook. Being in pleasant natural places often calms and uplifts us, while harsh or gloomy settings can deepen sadness. In the poem, the poet sits under a hemlock tree feeling dejected; the small, physical event of snow falling on him changes his mood for the better. This example shows how an external incident or environment can alter inner feelings. It suggests a practical lesson: by changing our environment or by remaining open to small positive events, we can improve our mental state.

Extract-Based Questions for 'Dust of Snow'

Poem:

The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree

Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued.

Questions:

What is the subject of the poem?
Who or what shook the dust of snow on the poet?
What type of tree did the dust of snow fall from?
How did the dust of snow affect the poet's mood?
What happened to the poet's day before the dust of snow fell?
How did the dust of snow save the poet's day?
What emotion did the poet feel after the dust of snow fell on him?
What is the significance of the hemlock tree in the poem?

Answers:

The poem is about a small, unexpected incident in nature - a crow shaking snow from a branch - that brings a sudden, positive change in the poet's mood.
A crow shook the dust of snow on the poet; the crow's movement caused the flakes to fall onto him.
The dust of snow fell from a hemlock tree.
The dust of snow changed the poet's mood for the better; it lifted his spirits and brightened his feelings.
Before the dust of snow fell, the poet had been regretting part of the day and was in a gloomy or sorrowful mood.
The dust of snow saved part of his day by changing his mood; that small event turned part of a regretted day into something better.
The poet felt cheered and relieved; his mood improved and he experienced a lighter, more positive feeling.
The hemlock tree is significant as the immediate source of the snow that causes the change of mood. Symbolically, because hemlock can have dark or poisonous associations in literature, its use creates a contrast that makes the small, positive incident more striking.

Extract-Based MCQs for 'Dust of Snow'

1. Read this stanza and answer the following questions:

"The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree."

Q1: What caused the dust of snow to fall on the poet?

(i) Wind

(ii) A crow

(iii) A squirrel

(iv) The poet himself

Ans: (ii)

Explanation: The line states that the crow "Shook down on me / The dust of snow," so the crow's movement is clearly responsible for the falling snow.

Q2: Where was the crow sitting?

(i) On a snow-covered ground

(ii) Under a maple tree

(iii) On the hemlock tree

(iv) Near a bunch of flowers

Ans: (iii)

Explanation: The stanza ends with "From a hemlock tree," which implies the crow was on that tree when it shook the snow down.

Q3: What does the crow symbolize in this stanza?

(i) Bad omen

(ii) Joy and transformation

(iii) Wisdom

(iv) Peace

Ans: (ii)

Explanation: Although crows are often seen as negative in some traditions, here the crow's simple action brings a positive change in the poet's mood. Therefore, it stands for an unexpected moment of joy or transformation.

Q4: What is the rhyme scheme of this stanza?

(i) aabb

(ii) abab

(iii) abba

(iv) abcd

Ans: (ii)

Explanation: The rhyme pattern is: crow (A), me (B), snow (A), tree (B), so the scheme is A B A B.

2. Read this stanza and answer the following questions:

"Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

Q1: What effect did the dust of snow have on the poet?

(i) Made him angry

(ii) Deepened his sorrow

(iii) Lifted his spirits

(iv) Made him laugh loudly

Ans: (iii)

Explanation: The poet says the incident "Has given my heart / A change of mood," which shows a positive change; it lifted his spirits rather than increasing sorrow or anger.

Q2: What does the word "rued" mean?

(i) Celebrated

(ii) Regretted

(iii) Ignored

(iv) Enjoyed

Ans: (ii)

Explanation: "Rued" means to feel regret or sorrow about something, so option (ii) is correct.

Q3: What part of the poet's day was changed?

(i) His whole day

(ii) The early morning

(iii) Some part he had rued

(iv) His entire week

Ans: (iii)

Explanation: The poet explicitly says "saved some part / Of a day I had rued," so it was a portion of that day, not the whole day or the week.

Q4: What is the rhyme scheme of this stanza?

(i) abcd

(ii) abab

(iii) aabb

(iv) abba

Ans: (ii)

Explanation: The rhyme pattern is: heart (A), mood (B), part (A), rued (B), so it follows A B A B.

Vocabulary and Poetic Device Questions

What is the meaning of "Shook down" in the second line of the poem?
What is the meaning of "hemlock" in the third line of the poem?
What is the meaning of "rued" in the last line of the poem?
What type of literary device is used in the alliteration of "saved some part" in the sixth line of the poem?
What type of literary device is used in the rhyme scheme of the first stanza?

Answers:

In this context, "shook down" means that the crow caused small particles of snow to fall from the branch onto the poet by shaking the tree.
Here, "hemlock" refers to the hemlock tree from which the dust of snow fell; it is the tree named in the stanza.
In this poem, "rued" means felt regret or sorrow about something; the poet had regretted part of the day.
The device is alliteration; the repeated initial consonant sound in "saved" and "some" creates the alliterative effect.
The rhyme scheme of the first stanza is A B A B (abab), with "crow" rhyming with "snow" and "me" rhyming with "tree".

Some more MCQs to Practice

1. What caused the dust of snow to fall on the poet?

a) Rain

b) Wind

c) A crow

d) A squirrel

2. What type of tree did the dust of snow fall from?

a) Oak

b) Maple

c) Hemlock

d) Pine

3. How did the dust of snow affect the poet's mood?

a) It made the poet sad

b) It made the poet angry

c) It gave the poet a change of mood

d) It had no effect on the poet's mood

4. What did the poet "rued" before the dust of snow fell on him?

a) A lost love

b) A bad day

c) A missed opportunity

d) A mistake

5. What part of the day did the dust of snow save for the poet?

a) The morning

b) The afternoon

c) The evening

d) The whole day

6. Which literary device is used in the line "The way a crow/Shook down on me"?

a) Metaphor

b) Simile

c) Personification

d) Hyperbole

7. Which literary device is used in the line "Has given my heart/A change of mood"?

a) Alliteration

b) Repetition

c) Rhyme

d) Imagery

8. What is the significance of the hemlock tree in the poem?

a) It represents death or poison in literature and mythology

b) It symbolizes hope and renewal

c) It is a favourite tree of the poet

d) It has no symbolic significance

Ans:

Ans: (c)
Explanation: The stanza explicitly says a crow "Shook down on me / The dust of snow," so the crow caused the snow to fall.
Ans: (c)
Explanation: The poem names the hemlock tree as the source of the dust of snow, so option (c) is correct.
Ans: (c)
Explanation: The lines "Has given my heart / A change of mood" show that the incident altered the poet's feelings, so it gave him a change of mood.
Ans: (b)
Explanation: The poet says he had "rued" a day, which means he felt regret about a bad day; thus option (b) is the intended meaning here.
Ans: (None of the given options)
Explanation: The poem says it "saved some part / Of a day I had rued," which means a portion of the day was saved. None of the four options named a "part" of the day, so none is strictly correct.
Ans: (c)
Explanation: The line describes the crow performing an action that affects the poet; several readers treat this as a vivid description rather than a figurative device, but if a choice must be made among the given options, many class tests list this as personification because the action is presented in direct relation to the poet's feelings.
Ans: (d)
Explanation: The phrase "Has given my heart / A change of mood" creates a clear mental picture of the poet's altered feeling, so "imagery" best captures the effect here among the given choices.
Ans: (a)
Explanation: Hemlock is traditionally associated with death or poison in literature and mythology; that symbolic background may add a contrasting layer of meaning to the poem.

Very Short Questions: Poem - Dust of Snow

Q1: What did the crow shakedown on the poet?

Ans: He shook down snow on the poet.

Q2: How did the dust of snow affect the poet?

Ans: It changed the poet's mood.

Q3: Who is the poet of the poem 'Dust of Snow'?

Ans: The poet of this poem is 'Robert Frost'.

Q4: What type of poem is this?

Ans: Highly symbolic

Q5: Where is the poet standing?

Ans: Beneath a hemlock tree.

Q6: In what mood was the poet before falling of snow on him

Ans: He was in an unpleasant mood.

Q7: What does he think he has lost?

Ans: The rest of the day

Q8: Where was the crow sitting?

Ans: The crow was sitting in a hemlock tree.

Q8: What falls on the poet?

Ans: Dust of snow

Q9: What is the meaning of dust of snow?

Ans: Particles of snow

Q10: What is the meaning of rue?

Ans: Feel sad about

Q11: What type of plant is 'a hemlock tree'?

Ans: It is a poisonous plant with small white flowers.

Hemlock Tree

Q12: What did the poet think of the day before the fall of the dust of snow on him?

Ans: The poet thought unhappiness of the day before the fall of the dust of snow on him. But after the incident, he started to look at the surroundings.

Q13: What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?

Ans: abab

Q14: What is the meaning of shake?

Ans: Quake

Q15: What is the meaning of way?

Ans: Path

Q16: Use the word ' mood ' in a sentence.

Ans: His mood is not good today

Q17: What is the meaning of save?

Ans: Rescue

Q18: What does the dust of snow stand for?

Ans: It stands for a positive change in mood and hope.

Q19: What does the poet present via a hemlock tree and a crow?

Ans: He shows that even unpleasant things in nature can bring joy.

Q20: What was the effect of dust of snow on the poet?

Ans: It changed his mood

Worksheet: Dust of Snow

Q1: What change come in the poet's mood?

(a) From joy to sorrow

(b) From hope to despair

(d) From anger to harmony

Q2: Who is the poet of the poem "Dust of Snow"?

(a) Leslie Norris

(b) Robert Frost

(d) Robin Klein

Q3: Where was the crow sitting?

(a) on a Banyan tree

(b) on a Hemlock tree

(d) on a Gulmohar tree

Q4: Pick the set of options that are related to the idea conveyed in the poem.

i. The state of sadness neither can be ended nor can be avoided.

ii. The state of depression should last for long.

iii. Everyone has moments of sadness or depression in one's life.

iv. The sooner one gets over grief or depression the better it is.

v. The state of depression if not ended will end us.

vi. The state of sadness should continue for long.

vii. Everyone mustn't avoid the state of depression.

a. i, ii, iv

b. iii, iv, v

c. v, vi, vii

d. i, iii, v

Q5: What did poet realise when dust of snow fell on him?

i. That he had wasted his time being in sorrow

ii. That he should utilise his remaining day in doing some useful tasks.

a. Both (i) and (ii) are correct

b. Only (i) is correct

c. Only (ii) is correct

d. Neither (i) nor (ii) is correct

Q6: What do the crow, hemlock tree and dust of snow represent in the poem?

Q7: It is our attitude towards a situation that makes it positive or negative. Do you agree with it? Express your views with reference to the poem 'Dust of Snow'.

Q8: In the poem 'Dust of Snow', how does the poet's mood get changed?

Q9: A simple moment proves to be very significant and saves the rest of the day of the poet from being wasted. Explain on the basis of the poem 'Dust of Snow'.

Q10: What do the 'Hemlock' tree and 'Crow' represent? What does the dust of snow metaphorically stand for?

NCERT Solutions: Dust of Snow

Thinking about the Poem

This poem presents a moment that seems simple, but has a larger significance.

[Compare this other quotation from Robert Frost: "Always, always a larger significance... A little thing touches a larger thing."]

Q1. What is a "dust of snow"? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet's mood changed?

Ans: A "dust of snow" refers to a light scattering or fine particles of snow, not a heavy fall. In the poem, a small quantity of snow falls on the poet when a crow shakes a branch of a hemlock tree. This simple event brings about a change in the poet's mood. He moves from a feeling of gloom, regret or dismay to a lighter, more cheerful frame of mind; the small incident redeems part of a day that he had been regretting and makes him feel happier and relieved.

Dust of Snow

Q2. How does Frost present nature in this poem? The following questions may help you to think of an answer.

(i) What are the birds that are usually named in poems? Do you think a crow is often mentioned in poems? What images come to your mind when you think of a crow?

(ii) Again, what is "a hemlock tree"? Why doesn't the poet write about a more 'beautiful' tree such as a maple, or an oak, or a pine?

(iii) What do the 'crow' and 'hemlock' represent - joy or sorrow? What does the dust of snow that the crow shakes off a hemlock tree stand for?

Ans:

(i) Frost presents nature in an unconventional way. Poets often name birds such as nightingales or doves, which are associated with beauty and pleasant song. A crow, by contrast, is usually linked with darkness, harshness or bad omens, so it is not commonly used to suggest delight. By choosing a crow, Frost brings in an image that many readers find sombre or forbidding, which makes the small, positive action that follows more striking.

(ii) A hemlock is a tree that carries associations of poison or gloom in literature. Frost does not choose a showy or traditionally beautiful tree such as a maple, oak or pine because he wants to match the poem's initial mood of sadness and regret. Using a less attractive tree helps underline how an apparently bleak or ordinary part of nature can give rise to an unexpected moment of happiness.

(iii) The crow and the hemlock suggest sorrow or darkness by their common associations. However, the dust of snow that the crow shakes from the hemlock becomes a symbol of sudden, small joy or consolation. In other words, Frost shows that even from sombre or unlikely sources a brief, gentle incident of nature can lift the spirit and change a person's feelings.

Q3. Have there been times when you felt depressed or hopeless? Have you experienced a similar moment that changed your mood that day?

Ans: I have experienced times of feeling down or hopeless, sometimes because of other people's behaviour and sometimes because of my own mistakes. On one occasion, I was very upset and went out for a walk. In the park I saw a girl playing with a small puppy; she was feeding and hugging it, and they both looked so happy. Watching that simple, cheerful scene lifted my spirits immediately. I joined them and played for a while, and the rest of the day felt much brighter. Such small, everyday moments can have the same redeeming effect that Frost describes in the poem.