Class 10 English Poem Dust of Snow by Robert Frost : Question Answer

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General Information

Class 10 English Poem Dust of Snow by Robert Frost: “Dust of Snow” is a short, lyrical poem by Robert Frost, featured in the Class 10 NCERT English textbook First Flight. Published in 1920 in Frost’s collection New Hampshire, it captures a fleeting moment of transformation. Set in a winter landscape, the poem explores how a simple act of nature—a crow shaking snow onto the speaker—lifts his mood, emphasizing themes of hope, renewal, and the power of small moments. Frost, an American poet known for his vivid imagery and profound simplicity, uses this poem to highlight nature’s subtle influence on human emotions, making it a key study for Class 10 students.

First flight Poem Dust of Snow Question Answer of Text Book

The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow From a hemlock tree

Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued.

…                        ROBERT FROST

Detailed Analysis

Author

Robert Frost (1874–1963), a renowned American poet, is celebrated for his depictions of rural life, nature, and human emotions. His works, including poems like “The Road Not Taken” and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” often blend simplicity with deep philosophical insights, earning him four Pulitzer Prizes.

Setting

The poem is set in a winter landscape, likely a snow-covered forest or rural area. The imagery of snow, a hemlock tree, and a crow creates a cold, somber atmosphere, reflecting the speaker’s initial mood of despair or regret.

Structure

“Dust of Snow” is a concise poem with two quatrains (four-line stanzas), written in iambic dimeter (two metrical feet per line). It follows an ABAB rhyme scheme (e.g., way/day, tree/me in the first stanza). The brevity and simplicity mirror the fleeting yet impactful moment described.

Summary

The speaker, in a melancholic mood, experiences a small but transformative incident. A crow, perched on a hemlock tree, shakes off a “dust of snow” that falls onto the speaker. This unexpected act of nature shifts the speaker’s perspective, lifting his gloom and saving part of a day that had been marked by regret. The poem underscores how minor, natural events can inspire hope and renewal.

Themes

  1. Power of Nature: The snow and crow act as agents of change, showing nature’s ability to influence human emotions positively.
  2. Hope and Renewal: The poem highlights how small moments can transform despair into optimism.
  3. Simplicity and Significance: Frost emphasizes that even trivial incidents can have profound effects on one’s outlook.

Literary Devices

  • Imagery: Vivid images like “dust of snow,” “hemlock tree,” and “crow” create a stark, wintery scene.
  • Symbolism: The crow (often associated with death or mystery) and hemlock (a poisonous plant) contrast with the uplifting outcome, symbolizing unexpected positivity. Snow represents purity and renewal.
  • Alliteration: “Dust of snow” and “heart’s rue” enhance the poem’s musical quality.
  • Contrast: The shift from a gloomy mood to hope contrasts the dark imagery with the poem’s optimistic message.
  • Personification: The crow’s action is portrayed as deliberate, giving nature an active role.

Moral

The poem teaches that even the smallest interactions with nature can have a profound impact, offering hope and perspective in moments of despair. It encourages readers to find value in simplicity and remain open to unexpected sources of inspiration.

Significance

“Dust of Snow” is a concise yet powerful poem that resonates with Class 10 students for its relatable theme of finding light in dark moments. Its simple language, vivid imagery, and universal message make it an excellent study of Frost’s style and the role of nature in human life.

Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

  1. Who is the poet of “Dust of Snow”?
    a) William Wordsworth
    b) Robert Frost
    c) John Keats
    d) Sylvia Plath
    Answer: b) Robert Frost
  2. What is the setting of the poem “Dust of Snow”?
    a) A desert
    b) A snowy landscape
    c) A beach
    d) A city
    Answer: b) A snowy landscape
  3. What causes the dust of snow to fall on the speaker?
    a) A strong wind
    b) A crow shaking a tree
    c) A snowfall
    d) The speaker’s movement
    Answer: b) A crow shaking a tree
  4. Which tree is mentioned in the poem?
    a) Oak
    b) Pine
    c) Hemlock
    d) Maple
    Answer: c) Hemlock
  5. What was the speaker’s mood before the snow fell on him?
    a) Joyful
    b) Angry
    c) Sad or regretful
    d) Excited
    Answer: c) Sad or regretful
  6. What does the “dust of snow” symbolize in the poem?
    a) Sorrow
    b) Purity and renewal
    c) Fear
    d) Confusion
    Answer: b) Purity and renewal
  7. How does the poem’s structure contribute to its meaning?
    a) Its long stanzas reflect complexity
    b) Its short, simple form mirrors the fleeting moment
    c) Its irregular rhyme creates chaos
    d) Its lack of rhyme shows sadness
    Answer: b) Its short, simple form mirrors the fleeting moment
  8. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
    a) AABB
    b) ABAB
    c) ABBA
    d) AAAA
    Answer: b) ABAB
  9. What does the crow typically symbolize in literature?
    a) Happiness
    b) Death or mystery
    c) Love
    d) Freedom
    Answer: b) Death or mystery
  10. What is the main theme of “Dust of Snow”?
    a) The beauty of winter
    b) The power of small moments to inspire hope
    c) The dangers of nature
    d) The importance of hard work
    Answer: b) The power of small moments to inspire hope

Fill in the Blanks

  1. The poem “Dust of Snow” is written by ______.
    Answer: Robert Frost
  2. The dust of snow falls from a ______ tree.
    Answer: hemlock
  3. A ______ shakes the snow onto the speaker.
    Answer: crow
  4. The speaker’s mood before the incident was one of ______.
    Answer: regret
  5. The dust of snow saves part of the speaker’s ______.
    Answer: day
  6. The poem consists of two ______-line stanzas.
    Answer: four
  7. The poem’s rhyme scheme is ______.
    Answer: ABAB
  8. The snow in the poem symbolizes ______ and renewal.
    Answer: purity
  9. The speaker’s heart had been changed from a mood of ______.
    Answer: rue
  10. The poem highlights the ______ of nature in transforming emotions.
    Answer: power

Short Answer Type Questions

  1. What is the setting of the poem “Dust of Snow”?
    Answer: The poem is set in a snowy, winter landscape, likely a forest or rural area, with a hemlock tree and a crow, creating a cold and somber atmosphere that reflects the speaker’s initial mood.
  2. What incident does the poem describe?
    Answer: The poem describes a crow shaking a hemlock tree, causing a “dust of snow” to fall onto the speaker, which unexpectedly lifts his mood and saves part of his day.
  3. Why was the speaker in a bad mood initially?
    Answer: The speaker was in a bad mood due to feelings of regret or sorrow, as indicated by the phrase “heart’s rue,” though the exact cause is not specified.
  4. What is the significance of the crow in the poem?
    Answer: The crow, typically a symbol of death or mystery, acts as an agent of change by shaking snow onto the speaker, triggering a shift from despair to hope.
  5. How does the hemlock tree contribute to the poem’s imagery?
    Answer: The hemlock tree, associated with poison and death, enhances the poem’s dark imagery, contrasting with the uplifting effect of the snow, highlighting the theme of unexpected renewal.
  6. What does the “dust of snow” symbolize?
    Answer: The “dust of snow” symbolizes purity, renewal, and the transformative power of small, natural moments that can cleanse and uplift one’s spirit.
  7. What is the rhyme scheme of “Dust of Snow”?
    Answer: The poem follows an ABAB rhyme scheme in both quatrains, contributing to its musical and structured flow.
  8. How does the poem reflect Robert Frost’s style?
    Answer: The poem reflects Frost’s style through its simple language, vivid natural imagery, and profound insights into human emotions, using a small incident to convey a universal message.
  9. What is meant by “saved some part / Of a day I had rued”?
    Answer: This means the dust of snow lifted the speaker’s mood, redeeming part of a day that had been marked by regret or sorrow, giving him a renewed sense of hope.
  10. What lesson does the poem teach?
    Answer: The poem teaches that even small, unexpected moments in nature can have a profound impact, offering hope and perspective in times of despair.

Long Answer Type Questions

  1. Discuss the theme of nature’s transformative power in “Dust of Snow.”
    Answer: In “Dust of Snow,” Robert Frost explores the theme of nature’s transformative power through a simple yet profound incident. The speaker, initially in a melancholic mood marked by “heart’s rue,” experiences a shift when a crow shakes snow from a hemlock tree onto him. This “dust of snow,” a seemingly trivial act, lifts his gloom and saves part of his day. Nature, represented by the crow, snow, and hemlock, acts as a catalyst for emotional renewal. The crow and hemlock, traditionally negative symbols, ironically bring positivity, emphasizing nature’s ability to surprise and heal. Frost’s use of vivid imagery and contrast underscores how even minor natural events can profoundly influence human emotions, offering hope and perspective in moments of despair.
  2. How does Robert Frost use symbolism in “Dust of Snow” to convey the poem’s message?
    Answer: Robert Frost employs symbolism in “Dust of snow” to convey the poem’s message of hope and renewal. The “dust of snow” symbolizes purity and cleansing, representing a fresh start that lifts the speaker’s mood. The crow, often associated with death or mystery, symbolizes an unexpected agent of change, challenging its ominous connotation by triggering a positive shift. The hemlock tree, linked to poison and negativity, contrasts with the uplifting outcome, symbolizing how beauty and hope can emerge from unlikely sources. These symbols work together to illustrate that even small, seemingly negative elements of nature can inspire profound emotional transformation, reinforcing the poem’s theme that minor moments can redeem a troubled day.
  3. Analyze the structure and form of “Dust of Snow” and their contribution to its meaning.
    Answer: “Dust of Snow” is structured as two quatrains with an ABAB rhyme scheme, written in iambic dimeter, giving it a concise and rhythmic flow. This brevity mirrors the fleeting nature of the incident—a crow shaking snow onto the speaker—emphasizing the poem’s theme of the significance of small moments. The simple, structured form reflects the clarity and directness of the transformative experience, making it accessible yet profound. The rhyme scheme (e.g., way/day, tree/me) creates a musical quality, enhancing the poem’s uplifting tone despite its initially somber imagery. By keeping the poem short and tightly organized, Frost underscores how a brief encounter with nature can have a lasting impact, aligning the form with the message of hope and renewal.
  4. Explain the role of contrast in “Dust of Snow” and how it enhances the poem’s impact.
    Answer: Contrast is central to “Dust of Snow,” enhancing its emotional and thematic impact. The poem juxtaposes the speaker’s initial mood of regret and sorrow (“heart’s rue”) with the renewed hope triggered by the dust of snow, highlighting the transformative power of a small moment. The dark imagery of the crow and hemlock tree, traditionally symbols of death and poison, contrasts with their role in inspiring positivity, creating an ironic twist. The cold, somber winter setting contrasts with the warmth of the speaker’s uplifted mood. This interplay of dark and light, despair and hope, underscores Frost’s message that beauty and renewal can emerge unexpectedly from unlikely sources, making the poem’s optimistic resolution more striking and memorable.
  5. How does “Dust of Snow” reflect Robert Frost’s perspective on the relationship between humans and nature?
    Answer: “Dust of Snow” reflects Robert Frost’s perspective that nature is a powerful, subtle force capable of influencing human emotions and offering solace. The poem depicts a moment where a crow’s simple act of shaking snow onto the speaker transforms his melancholic mood, saving part of a day marked by regret. Frost portrays nature—through the crow, snow, and hemlock—as an active participant in human life, capable of inspiring hope without human intervention. His use of natural imagery and symbols traditionally associated with negativity (crow, hemlock) to convey positivity suggests that nature’s influence transcends human expectations. For Frost, nature is not just a backdrop but a source of profound, often unexpected wisdom and renewal, a view that resonates throughout his poetry and is vividly captured in this concise yet impactful poem.

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