Ch 1 Dust of Snow (Poem) 10th Eng notes

1. 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” means the fine particles of snow. This “dust of snow” changed the poet’s mood. The poet’s mood changed from that of dismay to joy. He was holding the day in regret when this dust of snow fell on him and this simple little thing brought him some joy.

Question 2. How does Frost present nature in this poem? The following questions may help you to think of an answer.

1. What are the birds that are usually named in poems? Do you think crow is often mentioned in poems? What images come to your mind when you think of a crow?

2. Again, what is ‘a hemlock tree’? Why doesn’t the poet write about more ‘beautiful’ trees such as a maple, an oak, or a pine?

3. 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?

Frost presents nature in a very different manner in the poem,

1. Generally, poets take the birds and trees that are known for their beauty and good qualities like peacocks, parrots, cuckoos, mynah, and trees full of beautiful flowers and fruits, etc. But here Frost has taken a totally different approach. He chose a crow, which is not often used in poems. Crow is black in colour with a very harsh voice and is believed to be a symbol of a bad omen. Thinking of a crow brings very depressing and sorrowful pictures to our minds.

2. A hemlock tree is a poisonous plant with small white flowers. The poet, Robert Frost, didn’t choose to use an oak, maple, or pine tree. Instead, he chose the hemlock tree and left all the beautiful trees present in the world. Actually, he did so to present his mood and feelings.

3. The crow and hemlock tree represent the sorrow and depression the poet feels in this materialistic world. The dust of snow is the symbol of natural joy and energy. The dust of snow that the crow shakes off a hemlock tree means passing through the sad and depressing moments the pet is entering into a time full of joy and optimism

MCQs

Question 1.

What is the name of the poet?

(a) Sylvia Plath

(b) W.B Yeats

(c) Robert Frost

(d) Robert Burns

Answer

 (c) Robert Frost

Question 2.

How did the dust of snow affect the poet?

(a) It made him energetic

(b) It changed his mood

(c) It made him superior

(d) None of the Above

Answer

 (b) It changed his mood

Question 3.

What was the mood of the poet at the beginning of the poem?

(a) Sad mood

(b) Happy mood

(c) Confuse mood

(d) None of the Above

Answer

 (a) Sad mood

Question 4.

What did Crow shake on the poet?

(a) dust of tree

(b) dust of garden

(c) dust of snow

(d) dust of land

Answer

 (c) dust of snow

Question 5.

The crow and Hemlock tree symbolize ____

(a) sorrow

(b) happiness

(c) celebration

(d) death

Answer

 (a) sorrow

Question 6.

What does “Dust of Snow” represent?

(a) the healing power of nature

(b) particles of snow

(c) cool weather

(d) none of the above

Answer

 (a) the healing power of nature

Question 7.

Name the poetic device used in the line “Has given my heart”

(a) alliteration

(b) metaphor

(c) oxymoron

(d) simile

Answer

 (a) alliteration

Question 8.

What uplifted his mood?

(a) falling of snow on his shoulder

(b) the crow

(c) hemlock tree

(d) all of the above

Answer

 (a) falling of snow on his shoulder

Question 9.

Why does the poet call it “dust of snow”?

(a) snow particles were too tiny

(b) they came over him like dust

(c) they felt like dust

(d) they looked like dust

Answer

 (a) snow particles were too tiny

Question 10.

What are the two negative creatures that Frost used as carriers of positivity?

(a) snow, dust

(b) hemlock tree, snow

(c) snow, crow

(d) hemlock tree, crow

Answer

 (d) hemlock tree, crow