The NCERT Solutions at Aasoka consists of questions about the poem “Dust of Snow”. These solutions will provide a helping hand to a student in their exam preparations. The NCERT Solutions for Class 10th English covers all important questions which can be accessed by students anytime anywhere on the Aasoka platform. Aasoka is the top eLearning platform that provides top-quality study material to enhance students’ performance for better results.
“Dust of Snow” is a poem by Robert Frost which is short and simple but with a deeper meaning. Students will experience various emotions through this poem as the poet, Robert Frost, presents a simple moment that has a larger significance. In this poem, the poet is sitting under the hemlock tree because he is upset as if nothing was going well in his life. But his mood suddenly shifted as the cold and soft snow touched him and filled him with happiness and satisfaction.
Question 1:
What is ‘dust of snow’ ? What does the poet say has changed his mood ? How has the poet’s mood changed ?
Answer:
A ‘dust of snow’ is fine particles of snow that settle like dust on various objects during a snowfall. A crow perched on a hemlock tree shakes off the snow dust that has settled on him. This dust falls on the poet. This little incident brings about a sudden change in the poet’s mood. Now the poet shakes off his sad thoughts and is filled with renewed energy.
Question 2:
How does Frost present nature in this poem ?
Answer:
Frost does not idealise nature. His description of nature is real and based on minute observation. Frost sees deep symbolical meanings in each little incident of nature. One can interpret these symbols in one’s own way. One can see nature as a friend or as an enemy.
Question 3:
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:
The birds usually named in poems are known for their beauty or sweet song. They include nightingales, cuckoos, robins and swans. A crow is not often mentioned in poems because it is neither beautiful nor it is a songbird. The crow brings the images of evil and ill omen to my mind.
Question 4:
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:
Hemlock is a poisonous tree. The poet wants to create an atmosphere of sadness and stillness. In such an atmosphere, a maple, an oak or a pine would have looked out of place.
Question 5:
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 stand for sorrow. The dust of snow stands for death or inertia. The crow’s shaking off the dust of snow from the tree stands for renewed life.
Question 6:
Have there been times when you felt depressed or hopeless ? Have you experienced a similar moment that changed your mood that day ?
Answer:
Everyone has moments of sadness or depression in one’s life. But the sooner one gets over such depression, the better it is. Such a state shouldn’t and cannot continue for long. It should either be ended or it will end us. I felt hopeless when I couldn't score desired marks in the examination in spite of continuous efforts. The failure to get good marks sat heavily on my shoulders and started sinking deep in depression. My mother talked to me about my feelings and helped me to get out of the situation. It's better to talk to someone who can guide you on the right path than to keep things within you.