NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 1 - Dust of Snow

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Thinking about the poem 

This poem presents a moment that seems simple, but has a larger significance.[Compare this other quotation from Robert Frost: “Always, always a larger significance... A little thing touches a larger thing.”)

Q1. What is a “dust of snow”? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet’s mood changed?
Ans: The 'dust of snow' means tiny snowflakes. The poet's mood changed when the snowflakes suddenly fell on him. He was feeling sad at first, but then he became happy and refreshed, ready to enjoy the rest of his day.
Dust of SnowQ2. 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?
(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?
(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?
Ans: 
(i) Poets usually see birds and trees as symbols of beauty and good qualities. They often write about birds like parrots, peacocks, and cuckoos, and trees with lovely flowers or tasty fruits. In this poem, Frost talks about a crow, which is not common in poems. A crow is a black bird with a rough voice and is often seen as a bad sign. Crows are typically associated with dark or sad imagery, evoking feelings of sorrow.

(ii) Frost also mentions a "hemlock tree," which is a poisonous plant with small white flowers. He didn’t pick a maple, pine, or oak tree that usually stand for beauty and happiness. Instead, he chose the hemlock tree to show his sadness and regret.

(iii) The 'crow' and 'hemlock tree' reflect the sorrow and sadness the poet feels. The dust of snow, however, brought him joy and energy. When the crow shook the snow off the hemlock tree, signifies a shift from sadness to a more hopeful mood, illustrating a moment of joy amidst despair.

Q3. Have there been times when you felt depressed or hopeless? Have you experienced a similar moment that changed your mood that day?

Ans: Yes, there have been many times when I felt sad, down, and hopeless because of things I couldn’t control in my life. Sometimes, it was because of how others treated me, and sometimes it was due to my own actions. One time, I came home from school feeling tired and upset. When I got home, my puppy jumped up and hugged me. This small moment of happiness completely changed my mood, and I felt so much better. I spent the rest of the day in a good mood, playing with my puppy and showing him love and care.