Short Answer Questions
Q1: Rationalise what you think the poet was probably doing when the dust of snow fell on him?
Ans: The poet was in a depressed mood with a thought that the day had been quite gloomy and was a waste for him. When the dust of snow fell on the poet, he might probably be standing under or passing through the hemlock tree.
Q2: What does the presence of a hemlock tree tell you about the setting of the poem?
Ans: The Hemlock tree is often related to some bad omens. Here, the presence of the hemlock tree tells us that the poet has used it to symbolize his depressed and negative mood.
Q3: The dusting of snow on account of the crow helped to make the poet’s day better. How do you think the crow’s droppings might have impacted the poet?
Ans: The dust of snow removed all the laziness of the poet. It saved the whole day of the poet. The crow’s droppings might have ruined the poet’s mood from bad to worse.
Q4: ‘Dust of Snow’ is one of Frost’s most loved poems. Elaborate why you think this is so.
Ans: ‘Dust of snow’ is a beautiful poem written by Robert Frost. It depicts a simple moment, but it is of great significance. The poet is depressed and has lost all hope. He is sitting under a hemlock tree. A small incident changes his sad mood. The poem teaches us that one should never be desperate and hopeless.
Q5: The poem evokes a sense of black and white. Justify. [CBSE QB, 2020-21]
Ans: In the poem ‘Dust of Snow’, we see two set of indicators. The Hemlock tree and the crow are indicators of sorrow which are symbolised by black colour. On the other hand, the snow indicates a fresh start and is white in colour.
Similarly, the poet’s initial mood of regret and unhappiness is depicted by black while his final mood of joy is indicated by white color.
Thus, we see that the poem creates a sense of black and white as it displays opposite things and emotions.
Q6: The crow and hemlock are usually used as negative references in literature. How is this different in this poem?
Ans: The crow is a symbol of ill omen and the hemlock tree is a poisonous one. However, the poet has used them beautifully to portray the fact that inauspicious things too can bring joy and happiness.
Q7: A simple moment proves to be very significant and saves the rest of the day of the poet from being wasted. Explain on the basis of the poem ‘Dust of Snow’. [CBSE 2018]
Ans: The poet, Robert Frost tries to convey that even simple and ordinary incidents have great significance in our life. Nothing is good or bad. It is only our thinking that makes it so. Best things in life are free of cost. Life is full of problems and obstacles. We should try to solve them rather than to sit and regret. Sometimes even the unimportant things change the meaning of life. A simple action of a crow, who shook off the dust of snow on the poet, taught him a great lesson. The poet realised that he had wasted his day in repenting rather than doing some useful activity. He understood how to take adverse season in stride and work for a better life.
Q8: In the poem, ‘Dust of Snow’, how does the poet’s mood get changed? [CBSE 2018]
Ans: In the poem ‘Dust of Snow’ when the crow shakes off the dust of snow from the hemlock tree, it falls on the poet. The poet was then standing or sitting under the tree with melancholy mood. The magical effect of this fall of powdery snow and its feel changed his mood from one of dejection to one of joy and acceptance of positive thinking. All this made him realise the importance of the rest of day which now appeared to have been saved from getting spoiled.
Q9: What is the underlying message for us in our hectic life with reference to the poem, ‘Dust of Snow’ ?
Ans: The underlying message for us with reference to the poem ‘Dust of Snow’ is that we should always be optimistic towards life. In the grave hours of depression, the smallest act of nature can lead to a drastic positive change.
Q10: How has the poet observed ‘nature’ in the poem ‘Dust of Snow’?
Ans: The poet has observed nature as a positive medium of change for him. The poet had been in a pensive mood in the poem. But when a crow shakes snow dust off, it changes his mood. Nature gave him the inspiration to behave in a positive manner.
Long Answer Questions
Q1: Positive attitude in life can make the world a better place to live in. Do you agree or disagree with the reference to the poem, ‘Dust of Snow’? Express your views.
Ans: I wholeheartedly concur that having a positive outlook can make the world a better place to live. In his poem “Dust of Snow,” Robert Frost describes how the actions of a crow turned a terrible day into a brighter one. The poet’s mood changed as a result of an incident that seemed unrelated. To embrace the light amidst the darkness is one lesson that can be taken from the poet. The poet sees the colour of joy despite the fact that the crow, the hemlock, and the snow are all dismal pictures. The simple pleasures of life is yet another lesson. They enable one to consistently find the good in every circumstance.
Q2: Our attitude towards a situation evokes both negative and positive responses. Analyse this with reference to the poem, ‘Dust of Snow’ to bring out the inherent valuable lessons.
Ans: Whatever the circumstances in life, they cause us to react in both positive and negative ways. The poet of the poem “Dust of Snow” , Robert Frost was in a depressed frame of mind. His sour mood turned more optimistic as a crow shook down the “dust of snow” on him. The poet may have become enraged with the crow had he not already been in a depressed or foul mood.
Snow dust turns out to be a catalyst for improvement for him. He felt a certain amount of happiness from the incident, and it helped him temporarily forget his misery. So, it becomes clear that one should focus on the good aspects of events rather than their negative ones because doing so might have a significant impact on how events turn out.
Q3: 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.
Ans: Frost has successfully conveyed an important idea—that occasionally, seemingly insignificant things can have a major impact—by using straightforward language. The desired effect is produced by using simple, straightforward language along with distinctive visual images and succinct wording. Even the surroundings around him reflect the poet’s sadness. The raucous, ominous crow, the deadly hemlock, and the surrounding freezing snow are all gloomy scenes. But, despite all the bad, some of the poet’s regretful thoughts are also shaken off when the crow scatters snow dust over him. The poem encourages us to find enjoyment in the simple things in today’s world, while we’re all living in stressful environments.
Q4: Imagine that Frost is of present day and has been invited to write for an e-zine – “Teen Talk”. He chooses to draw upon his experience with the crow and the dusting of snow to share his thoughts on ‘Every cloud has a silver lining’. As Frost, express your thoughts for the e-zine.
Ans: ‘Every cloud has a silver lining’. We should never leave confidence in difficult times because it will lead us to better days. A dark cloud is a kind of difficulty, misfortune and worst times in life. The silver lining is a hope for progress and an opportunity to go ahead in life.
Similarly, in the poem, the poet is in a depressed and hopeless mood. He feels that the whole day has been wasted. But fortunately, it is not so. The falling of the dust of snow on him bring a sudden change in his mood. He realizes that all is not lost. The change of landscape has changed his mood. Cheerfulness had replaced the feeling of regret. Hence, the falling dust of snow proved to be a silver lining on the cloud of gloom.
Q5: As a crow you feel highly insulted by the incorrect perception humans have about your species. Imagine yourself to be a crow and write your opinion about this prejudice. Make an appeal for breaking stereotypes. [CBSE Question Bank 2021]
Ans: As per human perceptions the word ‘crow’ is often related to ‘bad omens’ and ‘inauspiciousness’. This stereotype thinking towards our species is illogical and heart-breaking. I feel hopeless that without even having any valid evidence to it, people refer to us as being ‘ominous’. Perhaps because we are ‘black’, people consider us inauspicious and doves are considered ‘good omen’ maybe because they are ‘white’. This ruthless prejudice makes me emotionally hurt. I want to break this stereotype for all my fellow crows too in the same way my friend did by changing a person’s mood and making him happy. I hope that one day,judgmental humans will realize that what they think of us is completely wrong.
