NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English for Dust of Snow 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” means the fine particles of snow. 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? 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?
(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?
(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
Frost has presented nature in quite an unconventional manner. While in other nature poems we come across birds such as nightingales or sparrows, Frost has used a crow in this poem. A crow can be associated with something dark, black, and foreboding. That is why other poets usually mention singing nightingales or beautiful white doves in their poems.
Also, the poet has written about a hemlock tree, which is a poisonous tree. He has not written about a more beautiful tree such as a maple, or oak, or pine because these trees symbolise beauty and happiness. Frost wanted to symbolise the feelings of sadness and regret, which is why he has used a hemlock tree.
The crow and the hemlock tree represent sorrow. The dust of snow that is shaken off the hemlock tree by the crow stands for joy that Frost experiences. He has, therefore, used an unconventional tree and bird in order to contrast them with joy in the form of snow.
Question 3 has to be done by students themselves as this answer should be written based on self experience of the student
Dust of Snow Poem Summary Class 10 English
About the Poet:
Robert Lee Frost was an American poet. He was born in 1874 in San Francisco, California. Known for his realistic depiction of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech, Frost frequently wrote about setting from rural life in New England in 20th century. In his lifetime, he won more than one Pulitzer Prize. His poetry remains significant in today’s literary world, and his name is also linked to the Robert Frost Library where President John F. Kennedy honoured the poet with a speech. Frost passed away in the year 1963.
Theme: The theme of the poem 'Dust of Snow' written by Robert Frost is that one may have the worst day or time of his life, but a little good thing can make it quite amazing. The crow, the hemlock tree and the dust are considered to be the elements of negativity and assumed to usher in or create ominous circumstances in one's life. The poem emphasises the curative power of nature.
Summary: '
Dust of Snow' is a beautiful poem written by the famous poet, Robert Frost. Though the poem is very brief, but it has a significant meaning. This poem stands for guiding a person who has lost all hopes and is very sad. The poet was in a sorrowful mood and was sitting under a hemlock tree. It was the winter season and there was snow all around. A crow was sitting on the same tree. The crow suddenly perches on top of the tree and shakes down the dust of snow on the poet. When a small particle of snow fell on the poet, he was awakened from his thoughts and then noticed the simple activity going around him. The poet perhaps realised that he had to just shake off the dust that had settled on his mind. A simple act of the crow shook of the pessimism and changed the poet's mood. He suddenly realised that he had wasted his time wallowing in self-pity, and resolved to utilise the remaining day in doing some useful tasks. This realisation fills him with positive energy. The hemlock which is known for its poisonous fruits, combined with ominous crow, ironically, became the source of lightening up the disturbed mind of the poet.
Explanation of the poem:
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Explanation: In this stanza, the poet remembers a small incident that changed his mood. Once, the poet was in a depressed mood and was hopeless. He was standing (It is not clear whether the poet was standing or passing (the tree) under a hemlock tree. Suddenly, a crow sitting on the tree, shook it and some powdery snow from the tree fell on the poet.
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.
Explanation: The powdery snow which fell on the poet changed his mood to happiness. Earlier, he was depressed and sad. Till now the poet had spent a part of his day in sadness, but now he starts feeling refreshed. This incident saved some part of the poet's day which he would have spent in regret.
