1.2. Dust of Snow - Class 10 - First Flight

📘 Dust of Snow

Author: Robert Frost

Textbook: First Flight

Genre: Poem

📝 Summary

The poem Dust of Snow by Robert Frost captures a small but meaningful moment that changes the poet’s mood. On a winter day, the poet is feeling gloomy and regretful. Suddenly, a crow shakes snow off a hemlock tree, and the light dust of snow falls on the poet. This tiny and unexpected event lifts his spirits and changes his mood. The poet, who was previously filled with regret, starts to feel refreshed and better. The poem shows how nature, even through seemingly ordinary things like a crow or a poisonous tree, can have a deep positive effect on our emotions. Frost reminds us that small moments can bring about big changes, and hope can come from unexpected sources.

👤 Character Sketch

The Poet (Speaker):

Robert Frost presents himself as someone who was initially in a regretful, sad mood. However, he is also sensitive to nature and aware of its power. A small act by a crow helps him feel lighter and more hopeful. This shows the poet’s thoughtful, observant nature and his openness to emotional transformation through ordinary experiences.

📚 Themes

✨ Literary Devices / Poetic Devices

📖 Title Justification

The title “Dust of Snow” may seem simple, but it is symbolic and meaningful. It refers to the tiny particles of snow that fall on the poet and trigger a significant emotional change. The title captures the essence of the poem—how a small, natural event can have a larger impact on a person’s thoughts and mood. The dust of snow becomes a symbol of hope, renewal, and emotional healing.

✅ One-Mark Questions

1. Who is the poet of “Dust of Snow”?

   → The poet of the poem “Dust of Snow” is Robert Frost.

   
   

2. What fell on the poet?

   → A dust of snow, which refers to fine flakes of snow, fell on the poet.
   

3. From which tree did the snow fall?

   → The snow fell from a hemlock tree, which is considered a symbol of sorrow and negativity.

   
   

4. Which bird shook the snow?

   → A crow sitting on the hemlock tree shook the dust of snow onto the poet.

   
   

5. What effect did the snow have on the poet?

   → The falling dust of snow changed the poet’s mood and uplifted his spirit, saving the rest of his day from being wasted in regret.
   

✅ Three-Mark Questions

1. What is the significance of the crow and the hemlock tree in the poem?

   → In the poem, both the crow and the hemlock tree are traditionally associated with negativity, darkness, and sorrow. However, Robert Frost uses them symbolically to show that even seemingly unpleasant elements of nature can bring about a positive transformation. The unexpected fall of snow from such symbols of gloom actually lifts the poet’s mood, suggesting that goodness can come from the most unlikely sources.

   
   

2. How does the poet’s mood change in the poem?

   → At the beginning of the poem, the poet is in a sorrowful and regretful mood. He seems to be weighed down by negative thoughts. However, when the dust of snow falls on him—caused by a crow shaking a hemlock tree—his mood suddenly changes. This small, simple incident makes him feel refreshed and gives him a new outlook, saving his day from being completely wasted.

   
   

3. Why do you think Robert Frost chose ordinary elements like a crow and snow to convey his message?

   → Robert Frost chose simple and ordinary elements like a crow, a hemlock tree, and snow to emphasize the idea that small things in life can have a powerful impact. By using common, even unpleasant, elements from nature, Frost conveys that even seemingly negative experiences can lead to positivity and renewal. This helps readers connect more deeply with the poem’s message that beauty and transformation can arise from the everyday and the overlooked.

   
   

🧠 Value-Based Question

Q: What message does the poem “Dust of Snow” give us about life and emotions?A: The poem teaches us that life is full of small moments that can bring hope and change. Even when we feel sad or regretful, something simple and unexpected—like snow falling from a tree—can lift our mood and help us see things in a new light. We should remain open to the beauty and power of everyday experiences.

Let me know if you'd like a worksheet, illustration, or quiz for this poem.

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