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?

Answer: A "dust of snow" refers to the tiny, fine particles of snow that settled on the poet. It was like a light spray of powdery snow. The poet says that the sudden falling of this snow on him—caused by a crow shaking a hemlock tree—changed his mood. Initially, the poet was in a state of sorrow and regret (he had "rued" the day). However, the touch of the cold snow refreshed his mind and spirit, shifting his mood from depressed and gloomy to happy and positive.

2. 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? 

Answer: Usually, poets choose birds known for their beauty or sweet songs, such as the nightingale, cuckoo, peacock, or skylark. A crow is rarely mentioned in poems because it is often associated with harsh sounds and bad omens. When we think of a crow, images of darkness, gloom, and harshness usually come to mind.

(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? 

Answer: A hemlock tree is a poisonous plant with small white flowers. Frost chose the hemlock instead of "beautiful" trees like maple or pine to reflect his sad and bitter mood. By using a poisonous tree and a dark bird, he shows that even things usually considered "negative" or "ugly" can bring about positive change in our lives.

(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? 

Answer: Both the 'crow' and the 'hemlock' tree represent sorrow and gloom. However, the "dust of snow" represents natural joy and a fresh start. It stands for those small, seemingly insignificant moments in life that have the power to wash away our sadness and save us from wasting the rest of our day in regret.

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

Answer: (Self-reflection for the student) Yes, everyone experiences days when things don't go as planned and we feel low. For example, I once felt very upset after a bad performance in a school test. However, as I was sitting alone, my pet dog came and started playing with me. His innocent affection and energy immediately made me forget my stress. Just like the crow in the poem, that small moment changed my perspective and helped me enjoy the rest of my evening.

1. Who is the poet of the poem "Dust of Snow"?

Answer: Robert Frost.

2. What did the crow shake down on the poet?

Answer: The crow shook down the dust of snow.

3. Where was the crow sitting?

Answer: The crow was sitting on a hemlock tree.

4. What does the "dust of snow" represent?

Answer: It represents tiny particles of snow or a small, refreshing moment of nature.

5. What is a "Hemlock tree"?

Answer: It is a poisonous tree with small white flowers.

6. What was the poet's state of mind at the beginning of the poem?

Answer: The poet was in a sad, depressive, or regretful mood.

7. What does the word "rued" mean?

Answer: It means to feel regret or to be bitter about something.

8. What happened to the poet's mood after the snow fell on him?

Answer: His mood changed from negative to positive (it refreshed his heart).

9. What are the two negative symbols of nature used in the poem?

Answer: The crow and the hemlock tree.

10. What is the rhyme scheme of the first stanza?

Answer: abab (crow-snow, me-tree).

2 Mark Questions :

1. What is the central idea of the poem "Dust of Snow"?

Answer: The central idea is that even small, seemingly insignificant incidents in nature can bring about a big change in a person's mood. It highlights the healing power of nature and how it can lift a person's spirits.

2. Why does the poet use a "crow" and a "hemlock tree" instead of more beautiful symbols?

Answer: The poet uses these symbols to reflect his initial state of sadness and gloom. By showing that a "negative" bird and tree brought him joy, he proves that happiness can be found in unexpected places.

3. How does the poet’s mood change in the poem?

Answer: Initially, the poet is depressed and feels that his day is wasted in regret. When the crow shakes the dust of snow on him, the sudden physical touch of the cold snow gives his heart a change of mood and saves the rest of his day.

4. What does the poet mean when he says, "And saved some part of a day I had rued"?

Answer: He means that he had spent most of the day feeling miserable and regretful. However, the incident with the snow changed his perspective, allowing him to spend the remaining part of the day in a better, more productive frame of mind.

5. How does nature "heal" the poet in this poem?

Answer: Nature heals the poet through a simple, spontaneous act. The cool touch of the snow acts as a catalyst that breaks the poet’s cycle of dark thoughts, reminding him of the simple beauty of the world.

6. Describe the atmosphere created by Frost in the first stanza.

Answer: The atmosphere is cold, dark, and gloomy. The mention of winter (snow), a poisonous tree (hemlock), and a bird associated with bad omens (crow) sets a somber and depressive tone.

7. What is the significance of the "dust of snow" falling on the poet?

Answer: The falling of the snow is a transformative moment. It represents a "spark" of joy or a fresh perspective that interrupts the poet's sadness and helps him find peace.

8. Is the crow a symbol of bad luck in this poem? Explain.

Answer: In general culture, a crow is often a symbol of bad luck. However, in this poem, the crow acts as a benefactor. It is the crow’s movement that brings the refreshing snow onto the poet, making it a source of positive change.

9. What lesson can we learn from "Dust of Snow"?

Answer: The lesson is to stay positive and open to the beauty of nature. It teaches us that we should not lose hope even in dark times, as small moments of joy can change our entire outlook.

10. How does Frost present nature differently from other romantic poets?

Answer: Unlike other poets who use beautiful things like roses or nightingales, Frost uses "ugly" or "poisonous" elements of nature to show that everything in the natural world has the power to inspire and heal.