Dust Of Snow

Robert Frost( Robert Lee Frost)

1. Robert Frost's description of Nature- Robert Frost is a

nature lover. All other nature poets are known for
describing the well-known beautiful things. They have
described the nightingale, the cuckoo, the snow
covered mountains etc. But, Robert Frost has
described a crow and a hemlock tree. The crow and
the hemlock tree are associated with bad omens or
death and fear. He has presented them beautifully.
They bring cheer to him and are source of joy. He
feels that everything around us is beautiful. Nature
and its creation have the power to uplift a depressed
mind. Such unique thoughts makes him different from
other poets.
2. Message/ Summary/ Theme/Central Idea- Dust of
Snow is a small and simple poem with a deep
meaning. It expresses the significance of small things
in changing one's attitude. The poet recounts a
simple incident that changes his mood. It seems very
simple but it has a great significance. He was ,once,
very depressed and hopeless. He was in a state of
sorrow. As he was lost in his thoughts, he happened
to be standing under the hemlock here. The incident
was not Pre- planned. Suddenly a crow, that was
sitting on the tree, shook the tree and the fine
particles of snow from the tree fell on him. When the
soft snow fell on him it changed his mood from
sadness to happiness. He started feeling refreshed
The simple incident helped him to enjoy the
remaining part of the day. So Hope is one of the
themes of this poem. Because of the dust of snow,
 the speaker no longer thinks that the day is wasted
and instead has a hope that the day can be saved.
Another theme is positive Perspective. The speaker's
perspective is changed by a small event. Perhaps the
poem implies that we can either think positively or
negatively about the events depending on our
perspective and points of view. However, we should
adopt the speakers outlook and paints a positive
perspective on life in general. It will also cause us to
have a spirit that is willing to change and therefore
succeed.
1. Short question
a) What does the poet Robert Frost , through his
poem ‘ Dust of Snow' , wants to convey?
b) “ And saved some part of a day , I had rued”.
Explain.
c) Why was the poet standing under the hemlock
tree?

Ans. For above mentioned ques. a, b, c Refer Point 2.

d) How has the poet observed ‘ nature’s in the

poem ‘Dust of Snow'?
e) What difference do you find between Robert
Frost and other nature poets?

Ans. For above mentioned ques. d, e Refer Point 1.

2. Long Questions
a) What are the possible themes of this poem?
What do you learn from them ? Cite evidence
from the text to support your answer.
b) Small things in life make significant changes in
our life. Elaborate with reference to the poem’
Dust of Snow'.
Ans. For above mentioned ques. a, b Refer Point 2.

c) 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'

Ans. For above mentioned ques. c Refer points 1 and 2

both.