Dust of Snow
Thinking About the Poem
1. What is a “dust of snow”? What changed the poet’s mood? How did his mood change?
Answer: A “dust of snow” means the fine, powder-like particles of snow. A crow sitting on a hemlock tree shook some snow from the branches, and the snow fell on the poet.
Before this happened, the poet was in a sad and regretful mood. The unexpected touch of snow refreshed him and changed his mood for the better. He became more cheerful and realised that part of his day could still be saved.
2. How does Robert Frost present nature in the poem?
Answer: Robert Frost presents nature as a powerful source of unexpected comfort and emotional change. Instead of choosing traditionally beautiful birds and trees, he uses a crow and a hemlock tree, which are generally associated with gloomy or negative ideas.
Yet these very elements bring a positive change in the poet’s mood. The poem therefore suggests that nature does not need to be conventionally beautiful to give happiness. Even an ordinary or unpleasant-looking part of nature can become a source of hope and renewal.
3. What kinds of birds are usually mentioned in poems? Is a crow commonly used? What image does a crow suggest?
Answer: Poems often mention birds such as cuckoos, nightingales, sparrows, skylarks and peacocks because they are commonly associated with beauty, music and pleasant feelings.
A crow is less often used as a symbol of beauty or happiness. It generally creates an image of darkness, unpleasantness, fear or sorrow. Frost uses the crow in an unusual way because, in this poem, it becomes the cause of a positive change in the poet’s mood.
4. What is a hemlock tree? Why does the poet not mention a more beautiful tree such as a maple, oak or pine?
Answer: A hemlock is a tree associated with a poisonous plant and is therefore often connected with unpleasant or gloomy ideas.
The poet chooses the hemlock instead of a conventionally beautiful tree because he wants to create a contrast. The crow and the hemlock appear negative, yet together they become part of an incident that brings happiness to the poet. This shows that something positive can come even from unexpected or seemingly negative sources.
5. What do the crow and the hemlock tree represent? What does the dust of snow stand for?
Answer: The crow and the hemlock tree mainly represent gloom, sadness and negativity. In contrast, the dust of snow represents freshness, joy and a sudden positive change.
By using these contrasting images, the poet shows that even things usually associated with sadness can unexpectedly become the cause of happiness.
6. Why are the crow and the hemlock tree important in the poem?
Answer: The crow and the hemlock tree are important because they create the central contrast of the poem. Both are usually linked with unpleasant ideas, yet the action of the crow on the hemlock tree causes the snow to fall on the poet and improves his mood.
Thus, they help convey the message that positive experiences can come from unexpected sources.
7. What effect did the falling snow have on the poet?
Answer: The falling snow immediately refreshed the poet’s mind. It removed much of his sadness and regret and gave him a more positive outlook. The poet felt that the rest of his day had been saved.
8. What was the poet’s mood before the dust of snow fell on him?
Answer: Before the dust of snow fell on him, the poet was in a gloomy, sad and regretful mood.
9. How did the poet’s mood change after the incident?
Answer: After the snow fell on him, the poet’s gloomy mood changed into a lighter and more hopeful one. He felt refreshed and no longer considered the entire day wasted.
10. What message does the poem “Dust of Snow” convey?
Answer: The poem conveys that even a small and unexpected incident can change our mood and make life seem better. It also shows that nature has the power to refresh the mind and that happiness may come from sources we normally consider unpleasant or insignificant.
11. How can a small incident have a larger significance in the poem?
Answer: The actual incident is very small—a little snow falls from a tree onto the poet. However, its emotional effect is much greater. It changes the poet’s mood, removes his regret and saves part of his day from being wasted.
Thus, Frost shows that a seemingly insignificant moment can have a deep effect on a person’s thoughts and feelings.
12. Why is the title “Dust of Snow” appropriate?
Answer: The title is appropriate because the fine particles of snow form the central image of the poem. The dust of snow causes the sudden change in the poet’s mood and becomes a symbol of freshness, hope and emotional renewal.
13. What does the poem suggest about the healing power of nature?
Answer: The poem suggests that nature can influence human emotions in a simple yet powerful way. A small natural event, such as snow falling from a tree, can refresh a troubled mind and bring relief from sadness.
14. Does the poem show that beautiful things alone can make us happy?
Answer: No. The poem shows exactly the opposite. The crow and the hemlock tree are not usually considered symbols of beauty or happiness, yet they bring a positive change in the poet’s mood. Therefore, happiness can come from unexpected and ordinary things as well.
15. Have you ever experienced a small incident that changed your mood?
Answer: Yes. Sometimes a small pleasant incident can completely change a difficult day. For example, after feeling disappointed about something, a kind word from a friend, a walk outside, pleasant weather or an unexpected good experience can make me feel much better. Such moments remind us not to remain trapped in negative thoughts.
Short Answer Questions
16. Who is the poet of “Dust of Snow”?
Answer: Robert Frost is the poet of “Dust of Snow”.
17. Which season is suggested in the poem?
Answer: The poem suggests the winter season because snow is present.
18. Which bird appears in the poem?
Answer: A crow appears in the poem.
19. On which tree was the crow sitting?
Answer: The crow was sitting on a hemlock tree.
20. What fell on the poet?
Answer: Fine particles or a dust of snow fell on the poet.
21. Who caused the snow to fall on the poet?
Answer: The movement of the crow on the hemlock tree caused the snow to fall.
22. What did the poet save after his mood changed?
Answer: He saved part of the day that he had earlier been regretting.
23. What is the central theme of the poem?
Answer: The central theme is the power of nature and small unexpected experiences to bring emotional renewal and happiness.
24. What does the hemlock tree symbolise?
Answer: The hemlock tree symbolises gloom, negativity or sorrow.
25. What does the crow symbolise in the poem?
Answer: The crow initially suggests gloom or negativity, but in the poem it unexpectedly becomes an agent of positive change.
26. What does the dust of snow symbolise?
Answer: It symbolises freshness, joy, hope and a positive change in mood.
Long Answer Questions
27. Explain the main idea of “Dust of Snow”.
Answer: “Dust of Snow” shows how a very small event in nature can produce a major change in a person’s emotions. The poet is initially unhappy and regrets part of his day. Suddenly, a crow shakes snow from a hemlock tree, and the fine particles fall on him.
This small experience refreshes the poet and changes his gloomy mood. What is especially interesting is that Frost chooses a crow and a hemlock tree instead of beautiful or traditionally pleasant images. Both normally suggest negativity, but in the poem they become the cause of happiness.
The poem therefore teaches us that joy can come unexpectedly and that even ordinary or apparently unpleasant things can have a positive influence on life.
28. How does Frost use contrast in “Dust of Snow”?
Answer: Frost uses contrast through the crow, the hemlock tree and the dust of snow. The crow and hemlock are generally associated with gloom and unpleasant feelings. The snow, however, creates freshness and happiness.
The poet deliberately brings these opposite ideas together. The supposedly negative crow and tree become responsible for a positive transformation. This contrast strengthens the poem’s message that good experiences may come from unlikely sources.
29. Describe the transformation in the poet’s mood.
Answer: At the beginning, the poet is in a sad and regretful state of mind. He feels that part of his day has been wasted. Then a crow moves on a hemlock tree and causes fine snow to fall on him.
The sudden natural incident breaks his gloomy train of thought. He feels refreshed and begins to see the day differently. His sadness is reduced and his outlook becomes more positive. The transformation shows how quickly a small experience can change a person’s emotional condition.
MCQs
1. Who is the poet of “Dust of Snow”?
(a) William Wordsworth
(b) Robert Frost
(c) John Keats
(d) Walt Whitman
Answer: (b) Robert Frost
2. Which season is suggested in the poem?
(a) Summer
(b) Rainy season
(c) Winter
(d) Spring
Answer: (c) Winter
3. Which bird is mentioned in the poem?
(a) Peacock
(b) Crow
(c) Parrot
(d) Sparrow
Answer: (b) Crow
4. On which tree was the bird sitting?
(a) Oak
(b) Pine
(c) Hemlock
(d) Maple
Answer: (c) Hemlock
5. What fell on the poet?
(a) Rain
(b) Leaves
(c) Dust of snow
(d) Flowers
Answer: (c) Dust of snow
6. Who caused the dust of snow to fall?
(a) The wind
(b) The crow
(c) The poet
(d) A child
Answer: (b) The crow
7. What was the poet’s mood before the snow fell?
(a) Cheerful
(b) Excited
(c) Sad and regretful
(d) Proud
Answer: (c) Sad and regretful
8. What happened to the poet’s mood after the snow fell?
(a) It became worse
(b) He became frightened
(c) It changed positively
(d) He became angry
Answer: (c) It changed positively
9. The crow and the hemlock tree mainly suggest—
(a) celebration
(b) sorrow and gloom
(c) wealth
(d) success
Answer: (b) Sorrow and gloom
10. The dust of snow mainly represents—
(a) anger
(b) fear
(c) joy and freshness
(d) failure
Answer: (c) Joy and freshness
11. What does the poem mainly show?
(a) Nature is always dangerous.
(b) Only beautiful things can create happiness.
(c) A small natural incident can change a person’s mood.
(d) Winter is the worst season.
Answer: (c) A small natural incident can change a person’s mood.
12. Why does Frost use a crow and a hemlock tree?
(a) To describe a forest
(b) To create a contrast between negative images and a positive effect
(c) To frighten the reader
(d) To explain bird behaviour
Answer: (b) To create a contrast between negative images and a positive effect
13. What was washed away after the incident?
(a) The poet’s happiness
(b) His sadness and regret
(c) His memory
(d) His tiredness only
Answer: (b) His sadness and regret
14. “Dust of snow” refers to—
(a) dirty snow
(b) fine particles of snow
(c) melted snow
(d) a snowstorm
Answer: (b) Fine particles of snow
15. The poem teaches us to—
(a) ignore nature
(b) remain sad during difficult times
(c) appreciate small positive moments
(d) avoid winter
Answer: (c) Appreciate small positive moments
Human Generate Question Answer
Summary of the poet: ( কবিতাটোৰ মূলভাৱ)ঃ
The short poem by Robert Frost throws light upon the unimaginable healing power of nature and tiny things. From a bad mood to ill-health, there is nothing that can’t be cured by nature. The author was experiencing one such bad day when a crow’s movement near a hemlock tree dusted snow upon him. The snow instantly makes him happier. His day gets a lot better. Thus, the supremacy of nature as a whole made him realise how petty his problem was. The fast that hemlock tree is poisonous combined with crow being the indicator of doom and fear are used in the poem as the carriers of happiness in the narrator’s life. The poet, through these objects has tried to highlight that sometimes creatures linked with negative aspects of life can be the bringer of change and happiness. Being outdoor in nature, with all its unpredictability can benefit anyone, anywhere at any time.
অসমীয়া অনুবাদঃ
‘Dust of Snow’ নামৰ চুটি কবিতাটোৰ জৰিয়তে কবি ৰবাৰ্ট ফ্ৰ’ষ্টে প্ৰকৃতিৰ সৰু বৰ বস্তত নিহিত হৈ থকা অকল্পনীয় শক্তিৰ চমু আভাস দাঙি ধৰিছে। অসুস্থ মনৰ পৰা অসুস্থ শৰীৰৰলৈকে সকলোবোৰ ভাল কৰিব পৰা ক্ষমতা প্ৰকৃতিৰ হাতত থাকে, এদিন কবি হতাশাত ভূগি আছিল তেতিয়াই এৰোপা হেমলক গছত থকা কাউৰী এটাই কবিৰ গাত বৰফৰ কণাবোৰ পেলাই দিছিল। সেই কণাবোৰে তেওঁৰ দূখী মনটো সলনি কৰি তুলিছিল, অৰ্থা সুখ অনুভৱ কৰিব পাৰিছিল কবিয়ে আৰু দিনটো ভাল হৈ পৰিছিল। প্ৰকৃতিৰ সেই কৰ্মই তেওঁক বুৰাই দিলে যে তেওঁৰ অসুবিধাটো কিমান নগন্য। কবিয়ে হেমলক তথা কাউৰীৰ দৰে ধননাত্মক প্ৰতীকক ব্যৱহাৰ কৰিছে সূখৰ বাহক হিচাপে যিয়ে তেওঁৰ মনটোক প্ৰফুল্লিত কৰিলে। ইয়াৰ জৰিয়তে কবিয়ে বুজাব বিচাৰিছে যে কেতিয়াবা ঋনাত্মক বস্তুৱেও মানুহৰ মনলৈ ভাল পৰিৱৰ্তন আনি দিব পাৰে।
Thinking about the poem ( কবিতাটোৰ বিষয়ে ভাবা)
- What is a “dust of snow”? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poets mood changed?
( বৰফৰে ধূলিবোৰ কি? কি কথাই কবিৰ মনৰ ধাৰণা সলনি কৰি দিছিল? কবিৰ মনটো কিদৰে সলনি হৈছিল? )
Ans:- A ‘dust of snow’ is a tiny particles of snow, cause of their small size the poet calls them dust. The poet was in an awful mood when particles of snow had fallen on him. This had changed the poet’s frame of mind instantly and his day got a lot better.
( ডাষ্ট অফ্ স্ন’ মানে বৰফৰ কণা সেইবিলাকে ধূলিৰ দৰে সৰু আছিল বাবে কবিয়ে ডাষ্ট বুলি কৈছে। যেতিয়া বৰফৰ কণাবিলাক তেওঁৰ গাত পৰিছিল তেওঁ মনটো বিষাদ পূৰ্ণ আছিল। কিন্তু ইয়াৰ পাছতে, তেওঁৰ মনলৈ ধনাত্মক পৰিৱৰ্তন আহিলে। )
- How does frost present nature in this poem? The following questions may help you to think of an answer? ( কবিয়ে এই কবিতাটোত প্ৰকৃতিক কিদৰে উপস্থাপন কৰিছে? তলৰ প্ৰশ্নসমূহে তোমাক এই বিষয়ে ভবাত সহায় কৰিব। ) (i) What are the birds that are usually named in poem? Do you think a crow is often mentioned in poems? What images come to your mind when you think of a crow? ( সচৰাচৰ কবিতা এটাত কোনোধৰণৰ চৰাইৰ নাম উল্লেখ থাকে? কাউৰীৰ ব্যৱহাৰ আন কবিতাত দেখা পাইছানে? )
Ans:- Birds like sparrows, nightingale and peacock are more than often named in poems, Unlike these birds, craws are often seen as the indicators of doom and fear. They are often used for negative references.
( সাধাৰণতে কপৌ, কুলি, মৌৰা আদি চৰাইৰ উল্লেখ কবিতাবিলাকত পোৱা যায়, কাউৰী’ক সদায় অন্ধকাৰ অথকা ভয় আদিৰ লগত ৰিজোৱা হয়। সেহেয়ে ইয়াক ঋনাত্মক বস্তুৰ প্ৰতীক হিচাপে ব্যৱহাৰ কৰা হয়। )
(ii) Again, What is ” a hemlock tree”? Why does not the poet write about a more “beautiful” tree such as a male, or an oak, or a pine?
( হেমলক গছজোপা কি হয়? কবিয়ে আন কোনো সুন্দৰ গছৰ নাম উল্লেখ নকৰি কিয় এইজোপা গছৰ নাম ব্যৱহাৰ কৰিছে?
Ans:- Trees are also seen as mightly creatures importing wisdom as they’re too old. They give out oxygen and absorbing all the negative energy. But there are trees that are poisonous too, like a hemlock tree. The poet does not mention a more ‘beautiful’ tree such as maple, oak or pine because he wants to indicate a sad scene. Being poisonous, a hemlock tree is considered bad and so, he refers to it.
( গছবোৰক অতি শক্তিশালী আৰু জ্ঞানৰ প্ৰতীক হিচাপে ভাবা সিহঁতৰ বয়সৰ বাবে। গছে মানুহক অস্কিজেন দিয়ে আৰু আমাৰ চৌদিশে থকা ঋণাত্মক বাতাবৰণক নিজৰ মাজত বৰণ কৰে। কিন্তু তাৰ মাজতে হেমলোকৰ দৰে বিষাক্ত গছো আছে। তথাপিও কবিয়ে পাইন, মেপল অথবা এক গছৰ নাম ব্যৱহাৰ কৰা নাই কিয়নো তেখেতে দূখৰ ছবি দাঙি ধৰিব বিচাৰিছে আৰু হেমলক যিহেতু এজোপা বিষাক্ত গছ সেয়েহে তেওঁ ইয়াক ব্যৱহাৰ কৰিছে।
(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 ?
( 'কাউৰী' আৰু হেমলোক' গছজোপাই কি সূচাইছে - সূখ নে দূখ? কাউৰীটোৱে কেনে ধৰণে বৰফৰ কণা সৰাইছিল গছজোপাৰ পৰা? )Ans:- Both crow and the hemlock tree represent sorrow. Frost has used both the negative creators as the carries of positivism and strength that transformed his day of for the better. By not using birds like sparrow and nightingale, trees like maple or aak the poet has tried to break down all the preconceived nations we have about certain agents of nature. He has tried to make us understand that we see the world not as how it is, but as how we want to see it . Thus, the craw sitting and a hemlock tree together made his day better. The dust of snow stands for joy.
( কাউৰী আৰু হেমলোক অৰ্থা বিষাক্ত গছজোপাই দূখৰ ছবি দাঙি ধৰিছে। ফ্ৰষ্টে দুয়োটা ঋণাত্মক ছবি ব্যৱহাৰ কৰিছে যিয়ে ধনাত্মক মন তথা শক্তি কঢ়িয়াই আনি কৰিৰ মন সলনি কৰিছে। কবিয়ে সচৰাচৰ ব্যৱহাৰ হৈ থকা চৰাই অথবা গছৰ নাম ব্যৱহাৰ নকৰি প্ৰকৃতিৰ বস্তুবিলাকৰ প্ৰতি থকা মানুহৰ ধাৰণাক সলনি কৰিব বিচাৰিছে যে তেওঁলোকে বস্তুবিলাকৰ সঠিক ৰূপটো চোৱাৰ পৰিৱৰ্তে নিজৰ দৃষ্টিভংগীৰেহে পৰ্যাবেক্ষণ কৰে। সেয়েহে তেওঁ নভবাকৈয়ে কাউৰীটো আৰু হেমলোক গছজোপাই তেওঁৰ মনলৈ পৰিৱৰ্তন আনিছে। )
- Have there been times when you felt depressed and hopeless? Have you experienced a similar moment that changed your mood that day?
( তুমি কেতিয়াবা নিৰাশা অথবা হতাশাত ভূগি পাইছানে? আৰু কেতিয়াবা কোনো ঘটনাই তোমাৰ মন সলনি কৰিছেনে?
Ans:- There have been innumerable times when I have felt depressed and hopeless, such moment were aroused by other’s attitude and behavior and sometimes due to my own conduct. When ever I am upset I go for a walk or try to engage in different activities.
( এনেকুৱা অসংখ্য মূহুৰ্ত্ব আছে যেতিয়া মই হতাশা আৰু নিৰাশাত ভূগো, সেই মনোভাৱ হয়তো কেতিয়াবা আনৰ কথা বতৰাৰ পৰা জাগত হ. নতুবা কেতিয়াবা নিজৰ কিছুমান কামৰ বাবে, যেতিয়া মই তেনেধৰণৰ অনুভৱ কৰো তেতিয়াই মই খোজ কাঢ়িবলৈ ওলাই যাওঁ নতুবা বেলেগ কামত মন লগাবলৈ চেষ্টা কৰো। )
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