Short Answers

What is the underlying message for us in our hectic life with reference
to the poem, ‘Dust of Snow’ ?
The underlying message for us in our hectic life with reference to the
poem ‘Dust of Snow’ is that we should enjoy nature utmost and we
should have a positive out look even towards simple acts because they
can lead to the learning of greater lessons of enjoying life.

How has the poet observed ‘nature’ in the poem ‘Dust of Snow’?
Robert Frost is a nature lover. The crow and the hemlock tree are
associated with bad omens or death and fear. But, Frost has
presented them very beautifully. They bring cheer to him and are a
source of joy. Through his poem, he conveys a very strong message
that everything around us is beautiful.

What difference do you find between Robert Frost and other nature
poets?
All other nature poets are known for describing the well-known
beautiful things. They have described nightingale, the cuckoo, the
snow-covered mountains etc. But, Robert Frost has described a crow
and a hemlock tree. Secondly, poets make selection from natural
things, but Frost feels that every object in nature is beautiful. Such a
unique thought makes him different from other poets.

Long Answers
Nature has the power to lift our mood even when we are highly
despondent. Comment on the basis of your understanding of the poem
‘Dust of Snow’.
The poem ‘Dust of Snow’ by Robert Frost is a poem which enlightens us
how small things of nature can refresh us and cheer us for the rest of the
day. Though Frost has beautifully depicted (shown) a crow and a
hemlock tree, both of these are associated with bad-omen and fear. But
they have been used by the poet Frost to uplift his mood and make him
feel positive.
Frost’s writing skill as a poet lies in the fact that he is able to effectively
convey to us how such a thing as the falling of snow flakes from the top
of tree can have a refreshing effect on the mind of man. So, every
aspect of nature be it a crow or hemlock tree can be a source of
positivity and can be helpful in lifting a depressed mind.

In other words, everything in the world is beautiful. Nature and its

creations have the power to uplift mood even when we are in depressed
state of mind. A small incident of snow falling, that too by the action of
a crow (which is considered a bad omen) takes away the pall of sadness
from the poet’s mind and refreshes him for the rest of the day.

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.

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.

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.
How did the crow change the poet’s mood?

The poet was going somewhere in a snowy morning. He was upset. All
the trees were covered with snow dust. A crow sitting on a hemlock
tree shook the tree in such a way that some dust of snow fell on the
poet. This changed his mood and he became happy and relaxed.

What was the reaction of the poet when the dust of snow fell on him?

Normally, people thought both crow and hemlock tree are auspicious.
But when the dust of snow from hemlock tree fell on poet, he took it in
other way. He was depressed and sorrowful but the moment the crow
shook the hemlock tree and dust of snow fell on him, he felt
unburdened and relieved.

Why does the poet feel that he has saved some part of the day?
Crow shook down the dust of snow on the poet. Both crow and hemlock
tree are considered inauspicious. The falling of dust of snow from
hemlock tree is bad omen. But the poet took it in a positive way. He
found himself relieved from sorrow after this incident. Now he could
use his entire day in a fruitful way.
1.Who shook down the hemlock tree?
a)Crow b)Cuckoo
c)Mynah d)Parrot

2.Which tree did the crow shake?

a)Mango b)Mapple
c)Hemlock d)Oak

3.In what mood was the poet earlier?

a)Happy b)Good
c)Pleasant d)Sad

4.What was saved for the poet?

a)Crow b)Tree
c)Some part of the day d)Snow

5.Who is the poet of the poem 'Dust of Snow'?

a)William Wordsworth b)John Keats
c)Robert Frost d)Robert Browning

6.What had given the poet 'a change of mood'?

a)Sitting of crow on the tree on him b)The Falling of dust of road on him
c)The Falling of dust of tree d)The falling of dust of snow

7.What do the 'crow' and 'hemlock' symbolise?

a) Crow - joy Hemlock - sorrow b) Crow - confusion Hemlock - helpfulness
c) Crow - dark Hemlock - light d) Hemlock- Beauty Crow - sadness

8.What does the poet mean when he says 'It saved some part of the day'?
a)The poet has saved his time as he sleeps for the entire day.
b)The poet has saved his job because he would not be late for his office.
c)The post has saved some part of his day as he would enjoy the rest of the day with
his family.
d)The post has saved some part of the day as he did not waste the time in repenting
and regretting.

9.Crow is a symbol of-

a) Joy b) Bitterness c) Cheerfulness d) Gloomy

10. Hemlock tree symbolises-

a)Poison b)Happiness c)Both a & b d) None Of These
 The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree

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

A) Leslie Norris
B) Robert Frost
C) Carolyn Wells
D) Robin Klein

2- Why does the poet call it "dust of snow"?

A) snow particles were too tiny

B) they came over him like dust
C) they felt like dust
D) they looked like dust

3- The poet says, "Of a day I had rued". What is the meaning of "rued"?

A) ruined
B) held in regret
C) ruled
D) conquered

4- What uplifted his mood?

A) falling of snow on his shoulder

B) the crow
C) hemlock tree
D) all of the above

5- What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?

A) baba cdcd
B) abab cdcd
C) abab cddc
D) abba cdcd
 Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.

1.Name the poetic device used in the line "Has given my heart"
A) alliteration
B) metaphor
C) oxymoron
D) similie
2. What does "Dust of Snow" represent?

A) healing power of nature

B) particles of snow
C) cool weather
D) none of the above

3. What are the two negative creatures that Frost used as carriers of
positivity?

A) snow, dust
B) hemlock tree, snow
C) snow, crow
D) hemlock tree, crow

4. The crow and Hemlock tree symbolize ____

A) sorrow
B) happiness
C) celebration
D) death