Updated on 22/04/2026
*1. Dust of Snow (Robert Frost)*
*1. Who is the
poet of the poem ‘Dust of Snow’?*
Ans. Robert Frost
*2. What did the crow do to the hemlock tree?*
Ans. The crow shook
the hemlock tree
*3. Where do you think was the poet then?*
Ans. The poet was under a hemlock
tree
*4. In what mood was the poet before falling of snow on him?*
Ans. He was very sad
*5. Who shook down
the hemlock tree?*
Ans. a crow
*6. What type of a
plant is ‘a hemlock tree’?*
Ans. a poisonous tree with
white flowers
*7. What fell on
the poet?*
Ans. the dust of snow
*8. How did the
dust of snow affect the poet?*
Ans. It changed the poet’s mood from sorrowful to cheerful.
- *1. What is ‘dust of snow’? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet’s mood changed?*
Ans. The ‘dust of snow’ means the fine particles of snow. The sudden shower in the form of dust of snow changed the poet’s mood. The poet’s mood changed from sad to happy. Now he wanted to enjoy the rest of the day.
*2. 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?*
Ans. The crow and the hemlock tree represent sorrow. The dust of snow stands for joy.
*3. Where was the crow sitting? What did it shake on the poet?*
Ans. A crow was sitting on a hemlock tree. He shook down the tree and some dust of snow fell on the poet. This changed his mood and he became happy.
*4. Explain the symbols used by Frost in his poem?*
Ans. 'Dust and Snow' is a poem written by Robert Frost. This is an eight lines poem where you can find some symbols such as crow, trees, snow and human being. The hemlock tree is a symbol of sorrow & death and snow is a symbol of joy & energy.
5. What is the central message or "Theme" of the poem?
- Ans: The central theme is the healing power of nature. It conveys that even small, simple moments in nature can have a large impact on a person's state of mind. It suggests that we should find positivity even in things that are usually seen as "negative" (like a crow or a hemlock tree).
Word-meanings
hemlock: A poisonous tree with small white flowers
rued: held in regret
Dust of snow - fine particles of snow
Shook down -dropped
Change of mood- change in feeling
Slightest- very small
2. Literary Terms (Important for Exams)
- Symbolism: Using an object to represent a bigger idea.
*The Crow and Hemlock tree symbolize gloom/sadness.
*The Dust of Snow symbolizes a "spark" of joy.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the start of words.
- Enjambment: The entire poem is actually one single sentence! without comma, full stop.
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.