DUST OF SNOW
Q1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart.
(a) Name the poem and the poet.
Ans. Dust of Snow by Robert Frost
(b) What did the crow do to the hemlock tree?
Ans. The crow shook the tree as it flew off from it.
(c) What mood of the poet is conveyed here?
Ans. The poet was sad that day but later became happy.
(d) What did the crow and the hemlock symbolise?
Ans. The ‘crow’ symbolises ‘joy’ and the ‘hemlock’ tree symbolises ‘sorrow’.
(e) What is a hemlock tree?
Ans. A hemlock tree is a poisonous tree with white flowers. It stands for sorrow. The dust of snow had covered this tree.
(f) What is the subject of the poem?
Ans. The subject of the poem is a moment of unexpected beauty that changes the poet’s mood.
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.
(a) What does the poet mean when he says and saved some part of the day?
Ans. The poet has saved some part of the day as he did not waste the time in repenting and regretting.
(b) What does the word ‘rued’ mean?
Ans. The word ‘rued’ means held in regret.
(c) What is the poet’s state of mind?
Ans. The poet was in a sad, depressive and hopeless mood that time.
(d) What is the rhyme scheme of the passage ?
Ans. The rhyme scheme of the passage is ab ab..
(e) How did the dust of snow save the poet’s day?
Ans. The dust of snow saved the poet’s day by giving him a change of mood and a moment of unexpected beauty.
(f) What emotion did the poet feel after the dust of snow fell on him?
Ans. The poet felt a change of mood after the dust of snow fell on him. It lifted his spirits and changed his perspective on the day.
Vocabulary & Poetic Device Related Questions
1. What is the meaning of “Shook down” in the second line of the poem?
Ans. In the context of the poem, “shook down” means that the crow caused the dust of snow to fall from the hemlock tree onto the poet.
2. What is the meaning of “hemlock” in the third line of the poem?
Ans. In the context of the poem, “hemlock” refers to a type of tree that produces the dust of snow that falls on the poet.
3. What type of literary device is used in the phrase “A change of mood” in the fourth line of the poem?
Ans. The literary device used in the repetition of the phrase “A change of mood” is anaphora, which involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of consecutive clauses or sentences.
4. What type of literary device is used in the first line of the poem?
Ans. The literary device used in the first line of the poem is personification, which involves giving human-like qualities to non-human entities.
5. What type of literary device is used in the third line of the poem?
Ans. The literary device used in the third line of the poem is metaphor, which involves making a comparison between two things without using the words “like” or “as”.
6. What type of literary device is used in “saved some part” in the sixth line of the poem?
Ans. The literary device used in “saved some part” is alliteration, which involves the repetition of the same sound at the beginning of multiple words in a phrase or sentence.
Thinking about the Poem
1. 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’ is fine particles of snow that settle like dust on various objects during a snowfall. 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 some joy.
2. How does Frost present nature in this poem?
Ans. In this poem, Frost presents nature as a transformative and redemptive force that has the power to change the poet’s mood and outlook on life.
3. 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?
Ans. The birds usually named in poems are known for their beauty or sweet song. They include nightingales, cuckoos, robins and swans. A crow is not often mentioned in poems because it is neither beautiful nor it is a song bird. Crows are often associated with negative connotations like death, darkness, and ill omens. However, in this poem, Frost presents the crow as a positive force that shakes the dust of snow from the hemlock tree and brings about a change in the poet’s mood.
4. 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 ?
Ans. The poet has written about a hemlock tree, which is a poisonous tree. The poet wants to create an atmosphere of sadness and stillness. In such an atmosphere, writing about a more beautiful tree such as a maple, or oak, or pine, which symbolises beauty
and happiness would have looked out of place. Frost wanted to symbolise the feelings of sadness and regret, which is why he has
used a hemlock tree.
Extra Question and Answer
1. Rationalise what you think the poet was probably doing when the dust of snow fell on him.
Ans. When the dust of snow fell on the poet, he might probably be standing under or passing
through the hemlock tree.
2. What does the presence of a hemlock tree tell you about the setting of the poem?
Ans. The Hemlock tree is often related to some bad omens. Here, the presence of the hemlock tree tells us that the poet has used it to symbolize his depressed and negative mood.
3. The dusting of snow on account of the crow helped to make the poet’s day better. How do you think the crow’s droppings might have impacted the poet?
Ans. The dust of snow removed all the laziness of the poet. It saved the whole day of the poet. The crow’s droppings might have ruined the poet’s mood from bad to worse.
4. ‘Dust of Snow’ is one of Frost’s most loved poems. Elaborate why you think this is so.
Ans. ‘Dust of snow’ is a beautiful poem written by Robert Frost. It depicts a simple moment, but it is of great significance. The poet is depressed and has lost all hope. He is sitting under a hemlock tree. A small incident changes his sad mood. The poem teaches us that one should never be desperate and hopeless.
5. The poem evokes a sense of black and white. Justify.
Ans. In the poem ‘Dust of Snow’, we see two sets of indicators. The Hemlock tree and the crow are indicators of sorrow, which are symbolised by the black colour. On the other hand, the snow indicates a fresh start and is white in colour.
Similarly, the poet’s initial mood of regret and unhappiness is depicted by black while his final mood of joy is indicated by white colour. Thus, we see that the poem creates a sense of black and white as it displays opposite things and emotions.
6. The crow and hemlock are usually used as negative references in literature. How is this different in this poem?
Ans. The crow is a symbol of ill omen and the hemlock tree is a poisonous one. However, the poet has used them beautifully to portray the fact that inauspicious things too can bring joy and happiness.
7. 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’.
Ans. The poet, Robert Frost tries to convey that even simple and ordinary incidents have great significance in our life. Nothing is good or bad. It is only our thinking that makes it so. Best things in life are free of cost. Life is full of problems and obstacles. We should try to solve them rather than to sit and regret. Sometimes even the unimportant things change the meaning of life. A simple action of a crow, who shook off the dust of snow on the poet, taught him a great lesson. The poet realised that he had wasted his day in repenting rather than doing some useful activity. He understood how to take adverse season in stride and work for a better life.
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