DUST OF SNOW

Academic Year 2024-25
Grade: 10 Subject: English

CHAPTER NAME: DUST OF SNOW (Poem)
Introduction
First published in 1923 in the book New Hampshire, “Dust of Snow” has remained popular because it
juxtaposes two fundamentals - human complexity and animal simplicity - in such a compact and symbolic
form. The other outstanding feature of this poem is that it is so accessible. Like many of Frost's more popular
poems, the reader is taken under that same tree to experience the feelings of the poet.
Summary
“Dust of Snow” tells that even a simple moment has a large significance. The poet has mentioned crow and
hemlock tree in this poem. Crow signifies depressive and sorrowful mood. Hemlock tree is a poisonous tree.
Both these signify that the poet was not in a good mood and so he describes the dark, depressive and bitter
side of nature to present his similar mood.
The poet says that once he was in a sad, depressive mood and was under a hemlock tree. A crow, sitting on
the same tree, shook off the dust of snow i.e., small particles of snow that remain on the surface after the
snowfall, on the poet. This simple action changed the poet’s mood. He realised that he had just wasted a part
of his day repenting and being lost in sorrow. But the change in his mood made him realise that he should
utilise the rest of the day for some useful activity. His sorrow was washed away by the light shower of snow
dust. His spirit was revived and he got ready to utilise the rest of the day.
The poem illustrates the extraordinary curative power of nature and trivial things in life. Nature cures everything
whether it is awful mood or illness. The fact that hemlock is poisonously combined with crow being the indicator
of doom and fear is utilised in the poem as the carriers of happiness within the lifetime of the narrator is ironical.
The poet tries to spotlight that sometimes creatures link with negative aspects of life often bring change and
happiness. Being outdoors in nature, with all its unpredictability can benefit anyone, anywhere at any time.
Themes
❖ Communication between nature and humans.
❖ Nature healing the negative human emotions.
❖ The significance of small natural events.
Poetic Devices
1) Rhyme Scheme – abab cdcd
2) Alliteration
➢ Has given my heart
➢ And saved some part
3) Inversion - When the structure of a sentence is changed by the poet to create rhyme, this
poetic license is called inversion. In stanza 1, inversion can be seen.
4) Enjambment – When the same sentence continues to the next line without the use of any
punctuation marks, it is called enjambment. It has been used throughout the poem.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1. What is a “dust of snow”? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet’s mood
changed?
The ‘dust of snow’ means the fine particles or flakes of snow. The sudden shower in the form of the
dust of snow changed the poet’s mood. The poet’s mood changed from sad to happy. He felt refreshed
and wanted to enjoy the rest of the day.
2. 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?
Generally, poets take the birds and trees which are known for their beauty and good qualities like
peacock, parrot, cuckoo, mynah and trees full of beautiful flowers and fruits, etc. But here Frost has
taken a totally different approach. He chose a crow, which is not often used in poems. Crow is black
in colour with very harsh voice and is believed to be a symbol of bad omen. Thinking of a crow
brings very depressing and sorrowful pictures to our mind.
3. 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?
A hemlock tree is poisonous plant with small white flowers. The poet, Robert Frost, didn’t choose to
use an oak, maple or pine tree. Instead, he chose the hemlock tree and left all the beautiful trees
present in the world. Actually he did so to present his mood and feelings.
4. 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?
The crow and hemlock tree represent 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 pdet is entering
into the time full of joy and optimism.

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Academic Year 2024-25

Grade: 10 Subject: English

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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