Dust Of Snow (Poem) -By Robert Frost

 

        Dust Of Snow (Poem) 

               - By Robert Frost 

Topics Covered:

1- Stanza Wise Explanation 

2- Poetic/Literary Devices Used In The Poem

3- Central Theme Of The Poem 

4- About Robert Frost 

5- Multiple Choice Questions 

6- Short Question/Answers

7- Long Question/Answers

8- To Recapitulate 

1- Stanza Wise Explanation 

To begin, Dost of snow is written by Robert Frost & is a short poem of two stanzas.

What is a stanza?

Stanza is a poetic form of fixed number of lines. This poem consists of two stanza with each stanza having four lines each. So, first we read about stanza wise explanation. 

STANZA 1

The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow 

From a hemlock tree 

Explanation - In the given stanza the poet was standing under a hemlock tree. Suddenly, a crow sitting on the tree, shook some powdery snow from the tree and that powdery snow from the hemlock tree fell on the poet.

Clearly, poet has used crow and hemlock tree that symbolizes sadness and depression. So, its clear from the first stanza that poet was in a sad mood.

STANZA 2

Has given my heart 

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued

Explanation - The powdery snow that fell on the poet suddenly changed his mood. Earlier he was sad and depressed. But now he starts feeling refreshed. This incident saved rest of the remaining day which he would have spent in regret.

DIFFICULT WORDS:

• Crow and Hemlock tree - symbolizes bad omen, fear and darkness 

• Omen - sign

• Rued - regret

• Gloomy - depression. 

2- Poetic/Literary Devices Used In The Poem

Rhyme Scheme :

• The whole poem follows ABBA rhyme scheme 

Symbolism:

In first stanza two symbols are used - crow and Hemlock tree, which are associated with bad omen, fear and depression. 

Alliteration:

It is the occurance of same sound at the beginning of the closely connected words. 

1- Has given my Heart

( H sound is repeated )

2- And Saved Some Part

( S sound is repeated )

3- Central Theme Of The Poem 

The message the poet wants to convey is that we should always hope for the best even in the worst time. At the same time always remember that nature and its objects have the ability to make one happy and ease hopelessness. Even small things can make a big difference.  And last but not the least, Frost feels that every object in nature is beautiful, whether its crow or hemlock tree. 

4- About Robert Frost 

• Robert Frost was an American poet.

• He wrote short as well as long poems.

• Described as realistic, controversial and rural.

•Frost short poems include Mending Wall, Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening, The Road Not Taken, Fire And Ice etc.

5- Multiple Choice Questions 

Read the stanza and choose the correct option.

Stanza 1

The way a crow 

Shook down on me

The dust of snow 

From a hemlock tree 

• Which tree did the crow shake?

i- Banyan

ii- Hemlock 

iii- Banana

iv- Oak

Ans- Hemlock tree.

• What fell on the poet?

i- Dust of rain

ii- Leaves

iii- Fruits

iv- Dust of snow 

Ans- Dust of snow.

• What was the mood of the poet in the first stanza?

i- Good

ii- Gloomy

iii- Elated

iv- Happy 

Ans - Gloomy. 

• What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?

i- abba

ii- abab 

iii- aaab 

iv- aabb 

Ans- abab.

Stanza 2

Has given my heart 

A change of mood

And saved some part 

Of a day I had rued

• What was the poet's mood?

i- Elated

ii- Sad

iii- Nostalgic

iv- Good

Ans- Sad

• What happened when dust of snow fell on him?

i- It changed his mood

ii- Changed his way

iii- Changed his dress

iv- Changed his appearance 

Ans - It changed his mood.

• Under which tree the poet was standing?

i- Hemlock 

ii- Banyan

iii- Papaya

iv- Mango

Ans - Hemlock. 

• What is the Synonym of the word regret?

i- Mood

ii- Saved

iii- Rued

iv- Expression 

Ans - Rued.

6- Short Question/Answers

i- What message does the poet wants to convey through the poem?

Ans- The message poets wants to convey is that we should never loose hope. Even small things in nature holds the power to change everything. 

ii- How the poet presented bad omens like crow and hemlock tree in the poem?

Ans- He presented them very beautifully. He conveys that everything in nature is beautiful. 

iii- What was the mood of the poet in the beginning?

Ans- He was sad and depressed. 

iv- Does Robert Frost same to other nature poets?

Ans- Absolutely not, as other nature poets described the nightingale, the cuckoo, etc. But Robert Frost has described a crow and a hemlock tree. As according to him, everything in nature is beautiful. 

v- What is the dust of snow?

Ans- It means the fine particles of snow.

7- Long Question/Answers 

i- What is a 'Dust of snow'? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet's mood changed?

Ans- 'Dust of snow ' means fine particles of snow.

Sudden fall of the powdery snow on poet changed his mood.

His mood has changed from sadness to happiness. And he wanted to enjoy the remaining part of the day.

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

Ans- Frost is well known as a nature poet. He describes both the positive and negative aspects of nature in a positive way. In the given poem he presents a positive view of nature. A crow shook down the dust of snow and changed his mood from sadness into happiness. 

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

Ans- Generally poets talk about birds that symbolizes beauty and good qualities. But Frost holds a different view point. He chose a crow. It is believed to be a symbol of bad omen. Thought of a crow brings depression and pictures of sadness to our mind.

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

Ans-It is a poisonous tree with small white flowers.

Instead of using beautiful trees like maple, an oak or a pine he chose hemlock tree in order to represent depressed mood and sadness. 

• 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- The crow and hemlock tree represent sorrow and depression that is felt by the poet. 

The dust of snow symbolizes natural joy and energy. It is a sign of nature blessings. 

iii- Have there been times when you felt depressed and hopeless? Have you experienced a similar moment that changed your mood that day?

Ans- Yes, there have been times when I felt depressed and hopeless. I have experienced a similar moment that changed my mind. One day, I was very upset. I got less marks in English but when I came to know that this was the misprint as in Someone's place my name is printed by mistake. I thank God and promised myself to work hard and will keep firm faith in God.

iv- What are the possible themes of the poem?

Ans- The poem itself resolves around theme of hope, and positive attitude. The poet wants to convey that one should never loose hope. At the beginning poet was sad and depressed, but as soon as the dust of snow fell on him his mood changed. Nature made him happy and joyful. The poet uses the image of crow and hemlock tree positively to justify the theme of the poem. 

v- Small things in life make significant changes in our life. Elaborate with reference to the poem 'Dust Of Snow'.

Ans- In the poem, the poet's mood is transformed from sadness to happiness because of a small act of the crow.The dust of snow falls on him when crow shook the tree.

Similarly, our random acts of kindness can change their day and sometimes their life also. So always try to find positivity in bad times also. As stopped watch itself shows the right time twice.

vi- Comment on the use of symbols in this poem.

Ans- In the poem 'Dust Of Snow' poet has used three symbols: 

1- Hemlock tree  is a poisonous tree that symbolizes death.

2- The crow is considered to be associated with bad omen.

3- Dust of snow symbolizes natural joy and energy. 

NOTE:

Below I have given the video of this Poem. Have a look to clear your doubts.

8- To Recapitulate 

I hope the above article would be a great help in your exams. One more thing I want to add here, if the concept is clear then you can answer any sort of questions related to the topic. Just keep going...This is the mantra to crack any exam. Always remember, NO GAIN ; WITHOUT PAIN. If any doubts you can reach me through the comment section box and I will Get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you...

ALL THE VERY BEST FOR YOUR SUCCESS....