1.

SUMMARY:

NOTHING IN LIFE IS SMALL. EVEN TRIVIAL THINGS MATTER A LOT AND MAY HAVE POSITIVE EFFECTS IN LIFE WHICH WILL
HELP CHANGE LIFE FOR THE BETTER. Even small help or generous gestures mean so much for others. The poet shows us
that even small and insignificant acts can
help uplift our mood and make us
forget about our problems. Dust of
Snow refers to fine particles of snow.
While walking by a hemlock tree a crow
on the tree shook down some particles
of snow on the poet and this changed
his mood. He was having a bad day and
was in a bad mood. The falling snow
changed his mood and made him feel
more uplifted.

2.Poetic devices: Poet makes use of

multi-literary devices in different
shades of expressions.

 Metaphor Example: The Dust of Snow is the symbol of natural joy and sorrow

 Imagery: The poem creates a vivid picture of the crow shaking down the dust of snow from the hemlock tree
and the change in the speaker's mood.

 Symbolism: The crow, hemlock tree, dust of snow, and the change in mood are all symbols of different aspects of
life, such as sorrow, poison, joy, and hope.

 Alliteration: The repetition of the same consonant sounds in the words "has given my heart" and "saved some
part".

 Assonance: The repetition of the same vowel sound in the words "shook down on me".

 Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line.

Irony Happy things may come even from negative references

Personification Dust of snow has given my heart, saved some PART

TITLE OF THE POEM - DUST OF SNOW SYMBOL OF NATURAL JOY AND SORROW ALSO METAPHOR

3.THEMES

Dust of Snow" is a short poem by Robert Frost, and it carries several prominent themes:
Nature's Healing Power: The poem highlights how nature, even in its simplest forms,
can have a profound impact on our mood and well-being. The "dust of snow" from a
hemlock tree changes the speaker's day for the better, showcasing the healing power of
nature.
Transformation and Redemption: The poem illustrates the idea of transformation. A
seemingly insignificant event—a shower of snowflakes—alters the speaker's outlook,
turning a bad day into a good one. This theme emphasizes how small moments can lead
to significant changes.
Interconnectedness of Life: The interaction between the crow, the snow, and the
speaker underscores the inter-connectedness of all living things. It suggests that even
the smallest elements of nature are linked and can influence our lives in meaningful
ways.It teaches us that nature is a wise teacher and shows us how we are all
interdependent.
Optimism and Hope: The poem conveys a message of optimism and hope. Despite the
speaker's initial negative state, the incident with the snow brings a positive shift,
reminding us that there is always potential for a better outcome, even on the darkest
days.
Unexpected Joy: The poem captures the idea that joy can come from unexpected
places. The hemlock tree and the crow, which are often associated with negativity, play
a role in bringing happiness to the speaker, suggesting that we can find beauty and joy
in the most unlikely situations.
"Dust of Snow" is a beautifully simple yet profound poem that encourages readers to
find solace in nature, appreciate small moments, and remain open to positive changes.
The poem is profound like a zen koan.

4 Tone:
Reflective: The tone of the poem is reflective as the speaker contemplates a simple yet
significant moment in nature. The speaker's thoughts on the event convey a sense of
introspection.
Optimistic: The poem has an optimistic tone as it highlights the positive impact of a
small, seemingly insignificant event. The speaker's mood changes for the better, which
infuses the poem with a sense of hope and positivity.
Appreciative: The speaker expresses appreciation for the unexpected beauty and
transformation brought about by the dust of snow, showing gratitude for the moment.

5. Mood:
Calm and Serene: The mood is calm and serene, evoking a sense of tranquility as the
speaker observes the dusting of snow. The imagery of snow falling creates a peaceful
atmosphere.
Uplifting: The mood becomes uplifting as the speaker's spirits are lifted by the
interaction with nature. The change in the speaker's mood from negative to positive
adds to the overall uplifting feel of the poem.
Gentle: The gentle falling of snow and the subtle interaction with the crow and hemlock
tree contribute to a gentle and soothing mood.
Overall, "Dust of Snow" creates a serene and uplifting atmosphere, with a reflective and
appreciative tone that encourages readers to find joy in the small, everyday moments of
life.
.6. SPECIAL NOTES ON SYMBOLISM:

6. In a nutshell:
The Setting:
The poem begins with
the poet being in an
unpleasant mood. He
describes the day as
“subarctic” and filled
with sorrow.
The Transformation:
Suddenly, a crow
shakes down “dust of
snow” from a hemlock
tree onto the poet.This
small action has a
profound impact on
the poet’s mood.The
dust of snow
symbolizes purity and freshness, contrasting with the poet’s initial gloom.
The Message:
The underlying message is that even minor interactions with nature can alter our
perspective.
The crow’s action becomes a catalyst for change.The poet shifts from negativity to a
more positive outlook.
Symbolism:
The crow represents nature’s spontaneity and unpredictability.
The hemlock tree, associated with sorrow, stands for the poet’s initial mood.
The dust of snow transforms both the tree and the poet.
Takeaway:
We should pay attention to small moments and find joy in them.Our mental condition
can indeed change based on our surroundings.Nature has the power to uplift us, even
amidst life’s busyness.

7. Very Short Answer Questions (Any 3)

1. Where was the crow sitting

Answer: The crow was sitting in a hemlock tree.

2. What did the crow shakedown on the poet?

Answer: He shook down snow on the poet.

3. In what mood was the poet before falling of snow on him

Answer: He was in an unpleasant mood.

4. What type of plant is ‘a hemlock tree’?

Answer: .Huge majestic tree with strong slanting branches that can hold snow but when
it becomes too much, the ice slides off. It’s smell reminds us of hemlock bush poison, so
its called hemlock tree.

5. What fell on the poet from the hemlock tree?

Answer: Sonic dust of snow fell on the poet from the hemlock tree.

6. How did the dust of snow affect the poet?

Answer: It changed the poet’s mood.

7. Who is the poet of the poem ‘Dust of Snow’?

Answer: The poet of this poem is ‘Robert Frost’.

8. What did the poet think of the day before the fall of the dust of snow on
him?
Answer: The poet thought unhappiness of the day before the fall of the dust of snow on
him. But after the incident, he started to look at the surroundings.

9. What is the dust of snow?

Answer: The dust of snow is snowflakes or small and soft particles of snow that settles
down on the various objects on the earth during the snowfall.

10. What is a hemlock tree?

Answer: A hemlock tree is a poisonous tree with white flowers. It stands for sorrow. The
dust of snow had covered this tree.

8. Extract Based Questions (any 1)

Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow:

1. The way a crow

Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree

a. What did the crow do to the hemlock tree?

b. What was there on the tree at that time?
c. Where do you think was the poet then?
d. Name the poem and the poet.

Answer:
a. The crow shook the hemlock tree.
b. There was snow in the tree at that time.
c. Then the poet was under a hemlock tree.
d. The name of the poem is ‘Dust of Snow’ and the poet is ‘Robert Frost’.

2: Has given my heart

A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.

a. What had given the poet ‘a change of mood’?

b. What had the poet thought of that day?
c. How was some part of the day saved for the poet?
d. What is the rhyme scheme of this stanza?

Answer:
a. The falling of dust of snow on the poet had changed his mood.
b. He had felt sad about that day. But the fall of snow-dust changed his mood.
c. He stopped ruing the day and his mood changed.
d. The rhyme scheme of this stanza is ‘abab’.

9.Short Answer Type Questions (any 3)

1. How has the poet observed nature in the poem ‘Dust of Snow’

Answer: The poet has observed nature as a positive medium of change for him. The
poet had been the sorrowful and depressive mood in the poem. But then the way a crow
shook snow dust off, it changed his mood. Nature gave him the inspiration to behave in a
positive manner.

2. What is the underlying message for us in our hectic life with reference to
the poem, ‘Dust of Snow’?
Or
What is the central idea of the poem ‘Dust of Snow’?
Or
What does the poet want to convey through the poem ‘Dust of Snow’?

Answer: In the poem ‘Dust of Snow’, the poet wants to convey that sometimes certain
moments or actions which are simple have larger significance. They can change the
mood or life of a person. The way a crow shakes down dust of snow on the poet inspires
and gives him the idea to shake off his depressive thoughts, become cheerful and do
something useful.
3. What side of nature do ‘crow’ and ‘hemlock’ represent?

Answer: ‘Crow’ is a black, harsh-voiced bird and ‘hemlock’ is a tree with poisonous
bitter fruit. Both are not beautiful. They represent the dark, depressive, sorrowful and
bitter side of nature.

4.Why does the poet use such poetically uncommon bird and tree? What does
it reflect?

Answer: The poet seems to be in a depressed and sorrowful mood. In such a mood, one
cannot think of a sweet and beautiful side of nature. The harsh, bitter and poisonous
images come to his mind. That is why he uses an uncommon, harsh, ugly crow and
poisonous tree like hemlock.

5. Justify the role of the crow in the poem “Dust of Snow” in changing the
poet’s mood.

Answer: I think, ‘the way snow dust was shaken off’ changed his mood. Perhaps it gave
the poet inspiration/idea to behave in the same manner—shake off his depressive
thoughts and revive his cheerful mood.

6. What mood of the poet is reflected in the poem? How does it reflect?

Answer: The sorrowful and depressive mood of the poet is reflected in the poem. The
use of the bird ‘crow’, which is ugly and harsh, and hemlock tree, which is a poisonous
plant, reflects the poet’s mood.

7. What did the poet think of the day before the dust of snow fell on him?

Answer: Before the fall of the dust of snow, the poet thought that his day was ruined.
He was in a bad mood. But then use of snow fell on him. It signalled something good and
joyful. His mood changed.

8. Write a note on the setting of the poem.

Answer: The poem presents a perfect setting. There are four elements in the poem. All
these four elements match one another. The snow stands for depression. The hemlock
tree is a symbol of sadness. The crow considered ominous. The poet’s mood was also
sad. But suddenly the way in which the crow shook the hemlock tree and falling off the
dust of snow. change the poet’s mood. A beautiful symphony of nature.

9. Where was the poet and what happened to him?

Answer: there was snow everywhere. The poet was under a hemlock tree. The tree was
covered with snow Suddenly a crow shook the tree The dust of snow fell on the poet. It
changed his mood.

10. The flow was the poet’s mood? What brought a sudden change in it?
Answer: The poet was in a bad mood. He considered that his day was ruined. But the
crow shook the tree. The dust of snow fell on him. His mood changed. The rest of the day
was saved for him.

11. How did the poet feel before the ‘change of mood’? Why did he feel so?

Answer: The poet was in a very depressed and hopeless mood. The day offered no
relief, comfort or happiness for the poet. He felt that the whole day had been wasted for
nothing. Perhaps his dull and depressive mood led him to such a conclusion.

12. Do you think that the poet presents a very bright or cheerful side of nature
in the poem? Give a reasoned answer.

Answer: No, Robert Frost has presented nature in it’s elemental and raw form. It is quite
dull and depressive wintry day. The fall of fine dust of snow does bring a sudden change
in the mood of the poet. It refreshes his spirits and brings cheerfulness to his depressed
spirits and mood.

13. Describe the scene of falling off the dust I snow. What impact does it have
on the poet?

Answer: It is a dull and depressing day of the winter. Snow is falling. The fine dust of
snow has accumulated on the top of the trees. Nature seems to be in its elemental and
raw state. However, the full of fine dust of snow brings a sudden change in the mood of
the poet. His depressive spirits are uplifted and his mood becomes cheerful.

14. ‘The Crow’ and the ‘hemlock tree’ are generally considered to be
inauspicious and ominous symbols. Does the poet use them so?

Answer: ‘The Crow’ and ‘the hemlock tree’, no doubt, don’t represent cheerfulness or
brightness. Both of them are generally considered to be inauspicious. But ‘the crow’ in
the poem causes the dust of snowfall on the poet. This leads to the sudden change of
mood in the poet. The feeling of cheerfulness replaces the feeling of regret. Similarly,
the hemlock tree is the tree under which the poet is standing and experiencing the
change of his mood.

15. Why does the poet say that he had `saved some part of a day I (he) had
rued’?

Answer: The whole day had been rather gloomy, dull and hopeless. The poet had a
feeling that the whole day would go waste. However, the falling of fine dust of snow on
him suddenly changes his mood. It cheered his depressed spirits. He felt as if he had
saved some part of the day.

16. What is the message that Robert Frost wants to convey to the readers in
the poem ‘Dust of snow’?

Answer: Robert Frost gives quite a positive message to the readers. Depression and
hopelessness do cloud our hearts, spirits and moods. However, there is a silver-lining
beyond every cloud. The poet had given up all hopes and declared that the whole day
would go waste. Suddenly, the falling of fine dust of snow on him brings a sudden
change in his mood. Cheerfulness replaces the feeling of regret.
17. What happened when the dust of snow fell on Robert Frost?

Answer: Robert Frost was unhappy. He was deep down in his heart due to some
personal reasons. When the dust of snow fell on him, his mental state had changed. Now
he looked at the surroundings.

10. Long Answer Type Questions (any 1)

1. Positive attitude in life can make the world a better place to live in. Do you
agree or disagree with reference to the poem ‘Dust of Snow’? Express your
views bringing out the inherent values.

Answer: I completely agree with the statement that positive attitude can make the
world a better place to live in Robert Frost, in ‘Dust of Snow’, talks of how an otherwise
bad day altered into a not so bad one, due to the action of a crow. It was a seemingly
disconnected occurrence that brought about a change of mood in the poet. One lesson
that can be learnt from the poet, is to see the brightness amidst the gloom. The crow,
the hemlock and the snow are all dark images, and yet, the poet sees the colour of
happiness. Another lesson is that life is made up of small joys. It is through them that
one can always manage to see positivity in negativity.

2. Our attitude towards a situation evokes both negative and positive

response. Analyze this with reference to the poem, ‘Dust of Snow’ to bring out
the inherent valuable lessons.

Answer: Whatever situation life throws at us, it evokes both positive and negative
responses. The poet, in the poem ‘Dust of Snow,’ was in a sorrowful mood. However,
when a crow shook down the ‘dust of snow’ on him, his bitter mood changed into a more
optimistic one. Now, being in a sorrowful or bad mood already, the poet could have got
angry at the crow also. However, the dust of snow becomes a positive medium of
change for him. It made him cheerful to some extent and helped him forget his sadness,
at least for a few moments. Thus, we see that instead of seeing the negative aspect of a
happening, one should see the positive aspect, and one’s response may greatly affect
the outcome of incidents.

3. The poet has succeeded in giving valuable information in a light-hearted

manner. What creates the desired effect? Highlight its importance in present-
day life.

Answer: Truly, Frost has used simple language to drive home a very significant
message, that little thing sometimes, have a big impact. An easy, uncomplicated
language, coupled with unusual visual imagery and brevity of words creates the desired
effect. The poet’s bitterness finds reflection even in the environment around him. The
noisy, dark crow, the poisonous hemlock and the icy snow around—all are essentially
depressing images. However, despite the negativity, when the crow shakes down the
dust of snow onto the poet, it also shakes off some of the author’s regretful thoughts.
Today, when all of us live in stressful atmospheres, the poem teaches us to gain
happiness from little things.

4. There are times when we feel depressed and hopeless. We think that things
will never change. Suddenly, a change comes in our mood when cheerfulness
replaces the sense of regret. Justify the above statement in the context of the
poem ‘Dust of Snow’.
Answer: Change is the law of nature. Man’s mood and spirits change like the change of
the weather. In the poem, the poet is in a depressed and hopeless mood. He feels that
the whole of the day has been wasted. But fortunately, this is not so. The falling of the
fine dust of snow on him brings a sudden change in his mood. He realises that all is not
lost. There is still hope for redemption. No doubt, a large part of the day has already
been lost. It has been rather a bad day so far. But no more now. Now a part of the day
has been redeemed. The change of landscape has changed his mood. Cheerfulness had
replaced the feeling of regret. His spirits are no more depressed. The sudden change
outside also cheers his heart and mood.

5. Poets have great power of imagination. Robert Frost also explains his
imagination very well and proves that sometimes the bad symbols change into
a boon. Discuss.

Answer: It is well known that poets have great imaginative power. On the basis of this
power, the poet gives this world a new idea and pleasure. They do dip down into the
ocean of imagination and carry valuable things. Then they present before the world an
exotic moment. Robert Frost, in this poem, represents the crow and hemlock tree as
inauspicious. But when the crow shakes off the dust of snow from the hemlock tree, it
falls on the poet. It changes his dejected mood and saves the day from being spoilt.

6. Our mental condition depends on our surroundings and it can be changed

according to it. Explain and prove.

Answer: It is true that our mental condition depends on our surroundings. For example,
if we go to greener places or nearby waterfalls, we get immense pleasure. This poem
also describes it. The poet was sitting under a hemlock tree in a dejected mood, but
when a crow shakes this tree and dust of snow falls on the poet, it changes the poet’s
mood. It was a pleasant incident.

7. What is the underlying message for us about our hectic life in the poem,
‘Dust of Snow’?

! In Robert Frost’s poem “Dust of Snow,” the underlying message is that even small
moments of unexpected joy or beauty can uplift our mood and change our perspective
toward life. The poet, not in a good mood initially, experiences a change when a crow
shakes down dust of snow from a Hemlock tree. This seemingly insignificant event leads
to a positive shift, reminding us to appreciate simple things and find solace amidst life’s
busyness12. It beautifully captures the idea that even amidst chaos, there’s room for
transformation and hope.

8. ) A simple moment proves to be very significant and saves the rest of the
day of the poet from being wasted. Explain on the basis of the poem “Dust of
Snow”.

Ans. i) Nothing is good or bad only our thinking makes us so

ii) Best things in life are free

iii) Life is full of problems we should solve them rather than sit and regret them.

iv) Sometimes unimportant things change the meaning of life.

v) Like a lesson taught by the crow and the hemlock how to take the adverse seasons in
stride and work for a better life.

9) Rationalize what you think the poet was probably doing when the dust of
snow fell on him.

Ans. The poem does not provide any explicit information. However, given the tone and
content of the poem, it is possible that the poet was feeling down or troubled before the
dust of snow fell on him. The poem suggests that the experience of the dust of snow
falling on the poet caused him to shift his perspective and find a moment of joy or hope
in the midst of his troubles. So, it is possible that the poet was simply taking a walk or
engaging in some other activity when he had this transformative experience.

10) What does the presence of a hemlock tree tell you about the setting of the
poem?

Ans. Hemlock trees are native to North America, particularly the northeastern part of
the United States, and they are often associated with cold, snowy climates. In the poem,
the snow falling from the hemlock tree is described as "dust of snow," which suggests
that it is light, powdery snow rather than a heavy snowfall.Hemlocks are often found in
forests or wooded areas, so the reader can imagine that the setting of the poem is a
natural environment rather than an urban or suburban landscape.

11) The dusting of snow on account of the crow helped make the poet’s day
better. How do you think the crow’s droppings might have impacted the poet?

Ans. In the poem "Dust of Snow," the dusting of snow caused by the crow shaking off
the snow from the hemlock tree had a positive impact on the poet's mood and
perspective. However, if the crow's droppings had fallen on the poet instead, it would
likely have had a very different effectWhile the dusting of snow is a natural and harmless
occurrence, bird droppings can be unpleasant and unsanitary. If the poet had been hit by
the crow's droppings, it could have left him feeling frustrated, angry, or even disgusted.
This would have been a very different kind of transformative moment, one that might
have led to a negative or unpleasant experience rather than a positive one.

12) ‘Dust of Snow’ is one of Frost’s most loved poems. Elaborate on why you
think this is so.

Ans. Here are some reasons why "Dust of Snow" is one of Frost's most beloved poems:

 Universal theme: The poem's central theme of finding beauty and hope in small
moments of nature is relatable and universal, appealing to readers across cultures
and generations.
 Simple language: The poem uses simple and accessible language that is easy to
understand, making it accessible to a wide range of readers.
 Vivid imagery: Frost's use of vivid imagery, such as the "hemlock tree" and the
"crow" shaking off the snow, creates a strong visual picture in the reader's mind,
making the poem memorable and engaging.
 Emotional resonance: The poem's message about the transformative power of
nature resonates with readers on an emotional level, evoking feelings of joy, hope,
and renewal.
 Conciseness: The poem is short and concise, yet it packs a powerful punch, making
it a perfect example of Frost's mastery of brevity in poetry.
13.) The poem evokes a sense of black and white. Justify.

Ans. The poem "Dust of Snow" by Robert Frost does have some elements that evoke a
sense of black and white. Here are some reasons why:

Contrast: The poem contains contrasting images of darkness and light, with the "crow"
and "hemlock tree" representing darkness, and the "dust of snow" representing light.
This creates a visual contrast that can be associated with black and white.

Symbolism: The crow and the hemlock tree can be seen as symbolic of negative or dark
elements, while the dust of snow can be seen as symbolic of positive or light elements.
This reinforces the sense of black-and-white imagery in the poem.

Tone: The poem has a melancholic tone at the beginning, which can be associated with
dark or black imagery. However, this tone shifts to a more hopeful and positive tone by
the end of the poem, which can be associated with light or white imagery.

Q. No. 14) The crow and hemlock are usually used as negative references in
literature. How is this different in this poem?

Ans. In literature, crows and hemlock trees are often associated with negative or dark
elements, such as death, decay, and danger. However, in the poem "Dust of Snow" by
Robert Frost, the use of these elements is different.

Instead of representing negative or dark elements, the crow and hemlock tree in the
poem serves as a contrast to the transformative power of nature. The dust of snow that
falls on the poet serves as a positive and hopeful image, and it is only through the
contrast with the darkness of the crow and hemlock that this transformation is made
more pronounced.

Frost does not use them to reinforce a negative or ominous mood, but rather to create a
contrast that highlights the beauty and transformative power of nature.

CONVERSATION TYPE (write this )

Imagine that the tallest oak in ‘Trees’ and the hemlock tree in ‘Dust of Snow’
share a conversation about their speakers (The ‘I’ in the poems).

Write this conversation between the two trees.

You may begin like this:

Oak: Adrienne chose to stay indoors on the significant full moon night, you
know.

Hemlock: Hmmm… Robert was out. Out in the snow that day. What do you
think Adrienne might have been thinking?

Oak: Well…I feel………………………………. Why do you think Robert might have

been out on a snowy day?

Hemlock……………………………….
Ans. Oak: Adrienne chose to stay indoors on the significant full moon night, you know.

Hemlock: Hmmm… Robert was out. Out in the snow that day. What do you think
Adrienne might have been thinking?

Oak: Well… I feel Adrienne may have been preoccupied with her own thoughts and
perhaps didn't fully appreciate the beauty and significance of the natural world outside.
Maybe she was consumed by her daily concerns or couldn't connect with the forest's
transformation as we did.

Hemlock: It's possible. But Robert Frost's speaker, on that snowy day, seemed to find
solace and renewal in the midst of nature. He acknowledged the transformative power of
the snowfall. Perhaps, he was seeking a fresh perspective, a moment of clarity amidst
the chaos of life.

Oak: Indeed, Hemlock. It's intriguing how poets' choices reflect their perspectives.
Adrienne, focusing on our departure, may highlight the struggle against confinement,
while Robert, in the snow, finds hope in unexpected moments. Both remind us of the
intricate relationship between humans and nature.

Hemlock: True, Oak. We, as symbols of nature, resonate with the poets' messages,
representing different facets of the human experience.

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