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Thinking about the Poem

Q1. 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” refers to fine, powder-like particles of snow that fall lightly from a tree. The poet says that the sudden fall of this snow, shaken off by a crow, changed his mood. His mood shifted from sadness and regret to cheerfulness, helping him make better use of the rest of his day.

Q2. How does Frost present nature in this poem?
(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: Birds usually named in poems are nightingales, cuckoos, or sparrows. A crow is rarely mentioned because it is often linked with harshness, bad luck, or gloom.
(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. Frost does not choose a beautiful tree like a maple or pine; instead, he picks the hemlock to show that even seemingly negative or dark aspects of nature can bring about a positive transformation.

(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?
Answer: The crow and the hemlock represent sorrow, gloom, and negativity. The dust of snow represents a moment of relief and joy that brightens the poet’s mood, proving that small, unexpected moments can change our perspective.

Q3. Have there been times when you felt depressed or hopeless? Have you experienced a similar moment that changed your mood that day?
Answer (sample personal response): Yes, there have been times when I felt low, especially after doing badly in an exam. Once, while I was sitting upset, my younger sibling came and made a silly joke that made me laugh. That small moment instantly lifted my mood and gave me the strength to move on positively.