Extra Questions for Dust of Snow (Poetry) Class 10 first Flight
Important Questions1
How has the poet observed nature in the poem ‘Dust of Snow’?
Answer
The poet has observed nature as a positive medium of change for him. The poet had been the sorrowful and depressive mood in the poem. But then the way a crow shook snow dust off, it changed his mood. Nature gave him the inspiration to behave in a positive manner.
Short Answer type
2
What is the underlying message for us in our hectic life with reference to the poem, ‘Dust of Snow’?
Answer
In the poem ‘Dust of Snow’, the poet wants to convey that sometimes certain moments or actions which are simple have larger significance. They can change the mood or life of a person. The way a crow shakes down dust of snow on the poet inspires and gives him the idea to shake off his depressive thoughts, become cheerful and do something useful.
Short Answer type
3
What side of nature do ‘crow’ and ‘hemlock’ represent?
Answer
‘Crow’ is a black, harsh-voiced bird and ‘hemlock’ is a tree with poisonous bitter fruit. Both are not beautiful. They represent the dark, depressive, sorrowful and bitter side of nature.
Short Answer type
4
Why does the poet use such poetically uncommon bird and tree? What does it reflect?
Answer
The poet seems to be in a depressive and sorrowful mood. In such a mood, one cannot think of a sweet and beautiful side of nature. The harsh, bitter and poisonous images come to his mind. That is why he uses an uncommon, harsh, ugly crow and poisonous tree like hemlock.
Short Answer type
5
Justify the role of the crow in the poem “Dust of Snow” in changing the poet’s mood.
Answer
I think, ‘the way snow dust was shaken off’ changed his mood. Perhaps it gave the poet inspiration/idea to behave in the same manner—shake off his depressive thoughts and revive his cheerful mood.
Short Answer type
6
What mood of the poet is reflected in the poem? How does it reflect?
Answer
The sorrowful and depressive mood of the poet is reflected in the poem. The use of the bird ‘crow’, which is ugly and harsh, and hemlock tree, which is a poisonous plant, reflects the poet’s mood.
Short Answer type
7
What did the poet think of the day before the dust of snow fell on him?
Answer
Before the fall of the dust of snow, the poet thought that his day was ruined. He was in a bad mood. But then t use of snow fell on him. It signalled something good and joyful. His mood changed.
Short Answer type
8
Write a note on the setting of the poem.
Answer
The poem presents a perfect setting. There are four elements in the poem. All these four elements match one another. The snow stands for depression. The hemlock tree is a symbol of sadness. The crow considered ominous. The poet’s mood was also sad. But suddenly the way in which the crow shook the hemlock tree and falling off the dust of snow change the poet’s mood.
Short Answer type
9
The flow was the poet’s mood? What brought a sudden change in it?
Answer
The poet was in a bad mood. He considered that his day was ruined. But the crow shook the tree. The dust of snow fell on him. His mood changed. The rest of the day was saved for him.
Short Answer type
1
Positive attitude in life can make the world a better place to live in. Do you agree or disagree with reference to the poem ‘Dust of Snow’? Express your views bringing out the inherent values.
Answer
I completely agree with the statement that positive attitude can make the world a better place to live in Robert Frost, in ‘Dust of Snow’, talks of how an otherwise bad day altered into a not so bad one, due to the action of a crow. It was a seemingly disconnected occurrence that brought about a change of mood in the poet. One lesson that can be learnt from the poet, is to see the brightness amidst the gloom. The crow, the hemlock and the snow are all dark images, and yet, the poet sees the colour of happiness. Another lesson is that life is made up of small joys. It is through them that one can always manage to see positivity in negativity.
Long Answer type
2
Our attitude towards a situation evokes both negative and positive response. Analyze this with reference to the poem, ‘Dust of Snow’ to bring out the inherent valuable lessons.
Answer
Whatever situation life throws at us, it evokes both positive and negative responses. The poet, in the poem ‘Dust of Snow,’ was in a sorrowful mood. However, when a crow shook down the ‘dust of snow’ on him, his bitter mood changed into a more optimistic one. Now, being in a sorrowful or bad mood already, the poet could have got angry at the crow also. However, the dust of snow becomes a positive medium of change for him. It made him cheerful to some extent and helped him forget his sadness, at least for a few moments. Thus, we see that instead of seeing the negative aspect of a happening, one should see the positive aspect, and one’s response may greatly affect the outcome of incidents.
Long Answer type
3
The poet has succeeded in giving valuable information in a light-hearted manner. What creates the desired effect? Highlight its importance in present-day life.
Answer
Truly, Frost has used simple language to drive home a very significant message, that little thing sometimes, have a big impact. An easy, uncomplicated language, coupled with unusual visual imagery and brevity of words creates the desired effect. The poet’s bitterness finds reflection even in the environment around him. The noisy, dark crow, the poisonous hemlock and the icy snow around—all are essentially depressing images. However, despite the negativity, when the crow shakes down the dust of snow onto the poet, it also shakes off some of the author’s regretful thoughts. Today, when all of us live in stressful atmospheres, the poem teaches us to gain happiness from little things.
Long Answer type