DUST OF SNOW

- ROBERT FROST

Theme
Dust of Snow has as its main themes: communication between nature and humans. Nature
healing and helping with negative human emotions.
Message
This poem conveys the message that nothing in life is small . Even trivial things can bring
positive changes in our life. In addition to this, it also shows that 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.
I. Answer the following questions.
1. What does ‘dust of snow’ refer to? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How
has it changed?
‘Dust of Snow’ refers to the falling of snow in small particles.The crow sitting on the hemlock
tree has shaken down dust of snow on the poet, which results in the change of his mood.
The pitiable mood of the poet changes when he comes in contact with the beauty of nature in
the form of falling snow. The poet, then, decides to save the rest of his day by shunning his
depressing thoughts.
2. How does Frost present nature in the poem?
The ‘dust of snow’ stands for the joy that nature brings to those who witness its glory. The
mood of the poet changes after coming in contact with nature and he resolves to forget the
dejections and disappointments and salvage what remains of the day.
The poet also refers to a ‘crow’ and a ‘hemlock tree’, two symbols that represent sorrow in
certain cultures. Both the ill-omens are instrumental in bringing about a change in the poet’s
mood. The poet, thus, wishes to highlight that every aspect of nature, no matter how
insignificant, inauspicious or unpleasant, possesses the power to heal or soothe in one way or
another.
II. Language Appreciation
●alliteration: occurrence of the same sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words
Example- Has given my heart; And saved some part
●imagery: evoking mental pictures through words to make the literary piece more graphic and
appealing
Example- The poet creates a vivid picture of a winter landscape with snow-covered trees.
●symbolism: use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them meanings that are
different from their literal sense
Examples-a)The monotony of the colourless surrounding corresponds with the poet’s mood. It
symbolises his distress and gloom.
b)The crow and the poisonous hemlock tree represent ill-omens.
c)The dust of snow symbolises the healing touch of nature and its ability to bring about a positive
change in the lives it touches.
●rhyme scheme: The rhyme scheme used in the poem is abab.
FIRE AND ICE
-ROBERT FROST
Theme
Hatred and power of emotions are the major themes of the poem. The poet discusses the
destructive features of human emotions. He uses the symbol of fire and ice to show how
desires and hatred contribute to making the world stand at the verge of chaos.
Message
The underlying idea of the poem 'Fire and Ice' by Robert Frost is the destructive nature of
human emotions and desires. The poem is a contemplation on how the world will end -
whether by fire or ice. The two elements, fire and ice, are used as metaphors for two different
kinds of human emotions - desire and hatred
I. Answer the following questions.

i. What do the terms ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for according to Robert Frost?
According to Robert Frost, ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stands for contrasting ideas.On one hand, ‘fire’
symbolises greed, conflict, fury, pride, lust, gluttony or selfishness. On the other hand, ‘ice’
symbolises hatred, insensitivity, rigidity, cruelty, coldness, intolerance or apathy.

ii. What is people’s opinion regarding the end of the world? What is the poet’s stand?
The poem ‘Fire and Ice’ highlights two viewpoints. Some people believe that the world would
end in fire, owing to the rampant greed of mankind; while the others believe that the world
would end in ice, owing to the hatred humans foster for each other.
For Robert Frost, both the views ate tenable as death is inevitable. None can be spared from it.
People’s rage and intense desire would consume mankind and end the world as we know it.

iii. Robert Frost says, ‘From what I have tasted of desire…’. What has the poet tasted of
desire?
What is the significance of the term ‘tasted’ here?
The poet is referring to his experience of man’s selfish and self-centred desires. The term
‘desire’ here refers to strong and intense feelings and emotions. The poet has, thus, attained
first-hand experience and knowledge of the violent and destructive passions that overpower
weak human minds.

iv. What message does the poet wish to convey through the poem?
The poet wishes to convey the message that uncontrollable human emotions and temperament
have the potential to bring destruction and chaos. He highlights the need for sustaining feelings
of kindness, compassion and contentment to ensure the survival of mankind.

II. Language Appreciation

i. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? How does it help bringing out the contrasting
ideas in the
poem?
The rhyme scheme of the poem is ‘abaa bcbcb’.
 The irregular rhyme scheme in the two stanzas brings out contrasting ideas of destruction. Fire
(or desire) may consume the earth and its inhabitants quickly, whereas ice (or hatred) works at
a slow pace, weakening the roots of humanity and fellow-feeling.

● Alliteration: occurrence of the same sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected
words

Examples- i) Some say the world will end in fire.

ii) I hold with those who favour fire.

 Anaphora: a word or a group or words is used repeatedly at the beginning of sentences or

clauses for emphasis or to create a musical effect

Example- Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.
Here, the expression ‘some say’ has been repeated to emphasise on difference of opinions.

 Imagery: The poet evokes mental pictures or images of death and destruction caused by
mankind.

● Symbolism: use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them meanings that are
different from their literal sense

Examples-
a) The element ‘fire’ is used to symbolise fiery, violent passions and emotions like brutality
and cruelty as a result of avarice.

b) The element ‘ice’ is used to symbolise cold feelings as a result of absence of warmth and
compassion.

 Metaphor: It refers to the implicit comparison between two different objects.

Here, the poem itself acts an extended metaphor because the poet uses both fire and ice, not
literally, but as metaphors for various human emotions. Both elements of nature are presented
as destructive forces potent enough to annihilate the world.