NCERT SOLUTIONS FOR DUST OF SNOW

Thinking about the Poem

(Page 14)

Question 1.
What is a “dust of snow”? What does the poet say has changed
his mood? How has the poet‟s mood changed?
Answer:
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.

Question 2.
How does Frost present nature in this poem? The following
questions may help you to think of an answer.

1. What are the birds that are usually named in poems? Do

you think crow is often mentioned in poems? What images
come to your mind when you think of a crow?
2. Again, 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?
3. 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:
Frost presents nature in a very different manner in the poem,

1. Generally, poets take the birds and trees which are known
for their beauty and good qualities like peacock, parrot,
cuckoo, mynah and trees full of beautiful flowers and
fruits, etc. But here Frost has taken a totally different
approach. He chose a crow, which is not often used in
poems. Crow is black in colour with very harsh voice and
 is believed to be a symbol of bad omen. Thinking of a crow
brings very depressing and sorrowful pictures to our
mind.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Question 3.
Have there been tilnes when you felt depressed or hopeless?
Have you experienced a similar moment that changed your
mood that day?
Answer:
There have been innumerable times when I too have felt
depressed and hopeless. Sometimes, such moments were
aroused by other people‟s behaviour and attitude and
sometimes due to my own conduct. On one occasion when I
was very upset. I went out for a walk. While walking in the
park, I saw a girl playing with a puppy, embracing and
feeding him. This little joy that they shared changed my mood
and I felt very happy for the rest of the day. I also joined the
two and played with them.

EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR DUST OF SNOW

VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

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: It is a poisonous plant with small white flowers.

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.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

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.
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.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

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.

EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS

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‟.