Dust of Snow
Central Idea of the Poem
The ‘Dust of Snow’, by Robert Frost is a small and simple poem with a deep meaning”. It
expresses the significance of small things in changing one’s attitude. The poem
reiterates that the little things in life can make huge changes in our future. It also shows
that if we take the hard times of life in stride eventually something will happen to change
our situation into happier times.
EXPLANATION OF THE POEM
Stanza 1
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
WORD MEANINGS
dust of snow – particles of snow
hemlock tree – a poisonous plant (tree) with small white flowers
Exp – The poet, Robert Frost, recounts a small incident that changes his mood. It seems
very ‘ simple but it has great significance. The poet was once very depressed and
hopeless. He was in a state of sorrow and was lost in his thoughts. He was standing
under the hemlock tree. Suddenly a crow, that was sitting on the tree, shook the tree and
the fine particles of snow from the tree fell on the poet.
Stanza 2
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.
WORD MEANINGS
mood – a state of mind
rued – held in regret
Exp – When the soft and cold snow fell on the poet it changed his mood from sad to
happy. He started feeling soothed and refreshed. This simple incident helped him enjoy
the remaining part of the day. He, thus, became happy as it saved his rest of the day
from being wasted and held in regret.
Poetic Devices Used in the Poem
Rhyme scheme – abab
Symbolism – Hemlock tree, Crow
Fire and Ice
Central Idea of the Poem
The poem, ‘Fire and Ice’ by Robert Frost revolves around the theme that human emotions
are destructive when allowed to run amok (out of control). They can destroy a person
morally, mentally and physically. The poet impresses upon the readers, the destructive
results of bearing ill feeling like-greed, avarice, lust, conflict, fury, hatred, intolerance, etc.
EXPLANATION OF THE POEM
Stanza 1
Some say the world will end in fire
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.
WORD MEANINGS
desire – wish
hold – to take side, favour
favour – incline towards
Exp – The poet considers the age-old question of whether the world will end in fire or in
ice. He is analysing about the end of the world. The poet provides and deals with two
possible causes for the end of the world. Both the two reasons contrast each other and
are equally opposite to each other. On one side of the debate are those people who are
in favour of fire. They believe that it will be the heat and the passion, which will lead the
humanity, the world’ to end. On the other side of the debate are those who favour ice and
feel that it will be the ‘ice’ which will freeze the world. In other words, either deep heat or
fire under the Earth beds will lead to natural calamities like volcano eruptions,
earthquakes, etc, which will one day end the world or the melting of the ice from the
snowy mountains due to global warming will shrink the world and one day the entire
world will die of the icy water.
‘Frost is providing a powerful statement on the subject of greed and jealousy’. He is
saying that above all else, even hatred, which is the trait of humanity is most likely to lead
to its demise. To Frost, desire represents the greatest problem that the world faces.
Desire is a kind of intense love or want that focuses people on getting and possessing
and acquiring. This kind of desire can lead people to destruction.
Stanza 2
But if it had to perish twice,
I think, I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
WORD MEANINGS
perish – die
suffice – be sufficient
Exp – The poet is very much sure of the destruction of the humanity. He first talks about
the destruction caused by fire and in case this fails, then ice will result into hatred that
will end humanity one day. Frost goes on to discuss, in a more understated manner, the
power of hate, which is symbolised in the poem by ice. Hate, according to the speaker,
is just as powerful as desire. While desire consumes, quickly, hate is just as great and
powerful. Infact, by ending the poem with the concept of hate. ‘Frost directs the reader to
the shy yet restrained devastation that hate can produce. Hate can occur and finger in
people’s minds and hearts for years’, sometimes even lifetimes. Hate consumes the hater
perhaps even more than the person or group hated; it can ruin lives. Hate is destructive
and sinful. Hate is presented as having the ability to lead to the destruction of the world if
it were to happen for a second time, again providing a powerful warning against this
human fallacy.
Poetic Devices Used in the Poem
Alliteration
Some say the world will end in fire Some say in ice.
I hold with those who favour fire
Paradox
But if it had to perish twice
Symbolism
Fire – a symbol for desire
Ice – a symbol for hate
Imagery
Fire and ice carry deep connotations, j Fire elicits the feeling of heat and light, but also
burning J and pain.
Ice elicits the feeling of coldness, but also indifference and j intolerance.
Rhyme Scheme
abaabcbcb
