Class 10

English
Dust of Snow
TEXTUAL EXERCISES
(Page 14)

Thinking About the Poem

Question 1.
What is a ‘dust of snow’ ? What does the poet say
has changed his mood ? How has the poet’s mood
changed ? (V. Imp.)
Answer:
A ‘dust of snow’ means particles of snow held
together. The falling of the dust of snow on him
changed his mood. First he felt sad. But the falling
of the dust of snow changed his mood. It changed it
towards the beauty of nature or in a different way.

Question 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:

(i) Birds with great qualities are usually named in

poems. Some of such popular birds are cuckoo,
mynah, peacock, parrot etc. A crow is rarely
mentioned in poems. However, it is mentioned
where there are tragic or serious themes. It is
looked at ominously. When I think of a crow I make
images of sadness. These may also be of some bad
happening or somebody’s coming to my house.

(ii) ‘A hemlock tree’ is a poisonous plant. It has small

white flowers. Thejaoet does not do so. It is
because it (the crow) suits better the occasion. It
also suits the pitiable mood he is in.
(iii) The ‘crow’ and ‘a hemlock tree’ represent
sorrow and evil. The dust of snow stands for some
natural joy or something joyful. It means the sad
day is going to change. It is going to change into
something joyful for the poet.

Question 3.
Have there been times when you felt depressed or
hopeless ? Have you experienced a similar moment
that changed your mood that day ?
Answer:
There have been times when I have felt sad,
depressed and hopeless.

But after that something has taken place. That has

changed those sad moments into those of relief.
For example, once I felt sad when I got a letter of
rejection for a job. But after an hour or so I got a
telephone. I was asked to join another job.