DUST OF SNOW
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.
ROBERT FROST
Thinking about the poem
1. What is a "dust of snow"? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet's mood changed?
Answer : A 'dust of snow is very fine particles of snow. The 'dust of snow' changed the poet's mood. The poet was feeling remorseful but the little dust of snow changed his mood and saved his day.
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?
Answer : Generally, birds usually named in poems are parrots, pigeons, dove, nightingale, peacock , swans etc. No, crow is not
mentioned in poems. When we think of a crow a very dark image with harsh voice comes in our mind . Basically it brings depressing and sorrowful pictures in our mind.
(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?
Answer : A hemlock tree is a poisonous
tree with small white flowers. The poet didn't write about a more beautiful tree such as maple, oak or a pine because these trees symbolise happiness and beauty . Frost wanted to symbolise the feeling of sadness and remorse that is why he chose to write hemlock tree.
(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? of snow that the crow shakes off a hemlock tree stand for?
Answer : Both the crow and hemlock tree represent sorrow. The dust of snow that the crow shakes off a hemlock tree stands for passing of sorrows and miseries and represent happiness and joy that the poet experiences.
3. Have there been times when you felt depressed or hopeless? Have you ever experienced a similar moment that changed your mood that day?
Answer : Yes there have been innumerable times when I felt sad, depressed and hopeless. On one occasion, I returned upset from school. I went to the park and saw an old man playing hide and seek with small kids. Seeing this changed my mood completely . I also joined them and had fun.
If you found this article helpful then don't forget to share it and follow English Learning!
Comments
Post a Comment
Your views, opinions and comments are welcome. If you have any queries please let me know.