Robert Frost's 'Dust of Snow' is a short, powerful poem about an unexpected moment in nature that changes a person's entire day. Let's dive into its meaning, imagery, and analysis.
Complete Text of the Poem
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
Summary
The poem written by Robert Frost describes the speaker's observation of a crow shaking snow from a hemlock tree, which leads to a change in the speaker's mood and saves a day that the speaker had previously felt negative about. The poem is simple and short, but it describes the small, unexpected moments of beauty and wonder in life that can change our perspective. The image of the crow shaking snow from a tree is a metaphor for the way in which small things can have a big impact on our emotions and outlook.
Rhyme scheme: abab
Imagery Used in the Poem
The poem uses imagery to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind of the scene being described. The imagery is simple but evocative.
The first image is of a crow shaking snow from a hemlock tree. This image is used to convey the idea of movement and action, as well as the idea of the natural world. The image of the snow being shaken from the tree is also used to convey the idea of something being released or let go.
The second image is of the dust of snow. This image is used to convey the idea of something small, delicate, and fleeting. It also creates the sense of a magical moment that is over quickly.
The third image is of the speaker's heart, which is described as having a change of mood. This image is used to convey the idea of emotion and inner experience. It also suggests that something has affected the speaker on a personal level.
The fourth image is of a day that had been rued. This image is used to convey the idea of disappointment or regret. The idea of a day being "ruined" is a metaphor for the speaker's negative emotions and outlook, which are transformed by the sight of the crow and snow.
All of these imagery work together to create a sense of the natural world and its power to affect our emotions and outlook on life.
Thinking About the Poem
Question 1.
What is a “dust of snow”? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet’s mood changed?
Answer:
In the poem, "dust of snow" refers to small flakes of snow that have been shaken loose from a tree by a crow. The poet states that this simple action of the crow shaking down the dust of snow from a hemlock tree has given his heart a change of mood.
The poet's mood is not specifically described in the poem, but it can be inferred that it was initially negative or gloomy, as he mentions that the sight of the crow and snow has "saved some part of a day I had rued." This suggests that the sight of the crow and snow has had a positive impact on the poet's mood, lifting it from the negative state it was in before.
Therefore, the poet's mood has changed from negative or gloomy to a more positive or uplifted state after observing the crow shaking snow from a hemlock tree.
Question 2.
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?
Answer:
In this poem, Frost presents nature as something that can have a profound impact on human emotions and outlook. He uses imagery to convey the idea that small, unexpected moments of beauty in nature can change our perspective.
A crow is not a bird that is often mentioned in poems, as it is often associated with negative connotations such as death and negativity. However, in this poem, Frost uses the image of a crow to convey the idea of movement, action, and the natural world.
The poet's choice to write about a hemlock tree rather than a more "beautiful" tree suggests that he is interested in the small, unexpected moments of beauty in nature rather than grand, striking displays.
Question 3.
Have there been times when you felt depressed or hopeless? Have you experienced a similar moment that changed your mood that day?
Answer:
As human beings, we all have our down moments. I have also been depressed and depressed in the past occasionally. Sometimes due to my performance in academics and co-curricular activities, and sometimes due to friends and family. Yes, I have experienced similar moments as that of the poet, which uplifted my mood and helped me to move on with life. Beauty in nature, birds chirping or a beautiful sunset or sunrise, and sharing time with friends and family all such things have a very positive effect on my mood and make my day.
Literary Devices Used in the Poem
In the poem "Dust of Snow" by Robert Frost, several literary devices are used:
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Imagery: The poem creates vivid images, such as the crow shaking down snow from a tree. Example: "The dust of snow from a hemlock tree."
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Symbolism: The crow and the hemlock tree are symbols. The crow often symbolizes bad luck or negativity, while the hemlock tree is associated with poison. Together, they symbolize sadness or gloom, but the snow's fall changes the mood positively.
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Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words for a musical effect. Example: "Has given my heart."
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Inversion: The normal order of words is reversed for poetic effect. Example: "Has given my heart a change of mood" (instead of "Has changed my mood").
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Enjambment: The sentence continues from one line to the next without a pause. Example: "And saved some part / Of a day I had rued."
Extract Based Questions
Extract 1
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree"
1. What did the crow shake down on the poet?
- (a) Dust from the branch
- (b) Small particles of snow
- (c) Leaves from the tree
- (d) A small twig
Answer: (b) Small particles of snow
2. What does the hemlock tree symbolize?
- (a) Joy and happiness
- (b) A beautiful landscape
- (c) Sorrow and negativity
- (d) Springtime
Answer: (c) Sorrow and negativity
3. What is the rhyme scheme of this stanza?
- (a) aabb
- (b) abba
- (c) abab
- (d) abca
Answer: (c) abab
Extract 2
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued."
1. What effect did the falling "dust of snow" have on the poet?
- (a) It made him angry.
- (b) It made him feel cold.
- (c) It changed his mood from negative to positive.
- (d) It had no effect.
Answer: (c) It changed his mood from negative to positive.
2. What does the word "rued" mean?
- (a) Enjoyed
- (b) Celebrated
- (c) Held in regret
- (d) Forgotten
Answer: (c) Held in regret
3. Which literary device is used in the line "Has given my heart"?
- (a) Simile
- (b) Alliteration
- (c) Metaphor
- (d) Personification
Answer: (b) Alliteration
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Poem: Fire and Ice by ROBERT FROST
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