If you're studying for your Class 10 English Literature exam, it's important to be familiar with the poem "Dust of Snow" by Robert Frost. This poem explores the idea that even small moments of beauty or joy can have a profound impact on our lives. To help you prepare, we've compiled a list of important questions and answers related to this poem. You can also download PDF of these important/extra questions answers and take a printout of it and study from it.
| Subject | English Language & Literature |
| Class | 10 |
| Board | CBSE |
| Chapter Name | Dust of Snow |
| Type | Important Questions and Answers |
| Session | 2024-25 |
| Book Name | First Flight |
| Literature | Poem |
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Dust of Snow Class 10 Important Questions & Answers
Q. No. 1) In the poem Dust of Snow, which negative symbols have been used to create a positive effect?
a. hemlock tree; crow
b. crow; snow
c. snow; hemlock tree
d. crow; dust
Ans. Option (a)
Q. No. 2) Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
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.
i. Of the many symbols the hemlock tree represents, choose the one that Frost drew upon in all likelihood, for this poem.
Symbol of
a) longevity.
b) togetherness.
c) healing.
d) protection.
Ans. Option (c)
ii. Choose the option that lists the possible feelings of the poet prior to the experience shared in the poem.
- reassured
- disappointed
- curious
- demotivated
- thankful
- disheartened
- impulsive
a) 1, 3 &7
b) 2, 4 & 6
c) 5 & 7
d) 1 & 3
Ans. Option (b)
iii. Identify the option that DOES NOT use the word ‘rue’ correctly.
a) The film was a disaster and he rued his decision to act in it.
b) I am sure she rued the day she listened to a fortune-teller.
c) It wasn’t long before I rued my disobedience and my deceit.
d) Others finally rue the one who is dishonest and heartless.
Ans. Option (d)
iv. Synecdoche is a poetic device that uses a part to represent the whole. E.g. That’s a great set of wheels! (Set of wheels has been used for the car.)
Pick an example of synecdoche from the poem.
a) Has given my heart / A change of mood
b) The way a crow/ Shook down on me
c) The dust of snow / From a hemlock tree
d) And saved some part / Of a day I had rued
Ans. Option (a)
v. Choose the option showing the reason NOT corresponding with “… a crow / Shook down on me / The dust of snow”.
a) The crow’s landing on the branch of the tree.
b) The shivering of the crow, due to the cold.
c) The readjustment of the position of the crow on the branch.
d) The cawing of the crow hidden in the foliage.
Ans. Option (d)
Q. No. 3) A simple moment proves to be very significant and saves the rest of the day of the poet from being wasted. Explain on the basis of the poem “Dust of Snow”.
Ans. i) Nothing is good or bad only our thinking makes us so
ii) Best things in life are free
iii) Life is full of problems we should solve them rather than sit and regret them.
iv) Sometimes unimportant things change the meaning of life.
v) Like a lesson taught by the crow and the hemlock how to take the adverse seasons in stride and work for a better life.
Q. No. 4) Rationalize what you think the poet was probably doing when the dust of snow fell on him.
Ans. The poem does not provide any explicit information. However, given the tone and content of the poem, it is possible that the poet was feeling down or troubled before the dust of snow fell on him. The poem suggests that the experience of the dust of snow falling on the poet caused him to shift his perspective and find a moment of joy or hope in the midst of his troubles. So, it is possible that the poet was simply taking a walk or engaging in some other activity when he had this transformative experience.
Q. No. 5) What does the presence of a hemlock tree tell you about the setting of the poem?
Ans. Hemlock trees are native to North America, particularly the northeastern part of the United States, and they are often associated with cold, snowy climates. In the poem, the snow falling from the hemlock tree is described as "dust of snow," which suggests that it is light, powdery snow rather than a heavy snowfall.
Hemlocks are often found in forests or wooded areas, so the reader can imagine that the setting of the poem is a natural environment rather than an urban or suburban landscape.
Q. No. 6) The dusting of snow on account of the crow helped make the poet’s day better. How do you think the crow’s droppings might have impacted the poet?
Ans. In the poem "Dust of Snow," the dusting of snow caused by the crow shaking off the snow from the hemlock tree had a positive impact on the poet's mood and perspective. However, if the crow's droppings had fallen on the poet instead, it would likely have had a very different effect.
While the dusting of snow is a natural and harmless occurrence, bird droppings can be unpleasant and unsanitary. If the poet had been hit by the crow's droppings, it could have left him feeling frustrated, angry, or even disgusted. This would have been a very different kind of transformative moment, one that might have led to a negative or unpleasant experience rather than a positive one.
Q. No. 7) ‘Dust of Snow’ is one of Frost’s most loved poems. Elaborate on why you think this is so.
Ans. Here are some reasons why "Dust of Snow" is one of Frost's most beloved poems:
- Universal theme: The poem's central theme of finding beauty and hope in small moments of nature is relatable and universal, appealing to readers across cultures and generations.
- Simple language: The poem uses simple and accessible language that is easy to understand, making it accessible to a wide range of readers.
- Vivid imagery: Frost's use of vivid imagery, such as the "hemlock tree" and the "crow" shaking off the snow, creates a strong visual picture in the reader's mind, making the poem memorable and engaging.
- Emotional resonance: The poem's message about the transformative power of nature resonates with readers on an emotional level, evoking feelings of joy, hope, and renewal.
- Conciseness: The poem is short and concise, yet it packs a powerful punch, making it a perfect example of Frost's mastery of brevity in poetry.
Q. No. 8) The poem evokes a sense of black and white. Justify.
Ans. The poem "Dust of Snow" by Robert Frost does have some elements that evoke a sense of black and white. Here are some reasons why:
Contrast: The poem contains contrasting images of darkness and light, with the "crow" and "hemlock tree" representing darkness, and the "dust of snow" representing light. This creates a visual contrast that can be associated with black and white.
Symbolism: The crow and the hemlock tree can be seen as symbolic of negative or dark elements, while the dust of snow can be seen as symbolic of positive or light elements. This reinforces the sense of black-and-white imagery in the poem.
Tone: The poem has a melancholic tone at the beginning, which can be associated with dark or black imagery. However, this tone shifts to a more hopeful and positive tone by the end of the poem, which can be associated with light or white imagery.
Q. No. 9) The crow and hemlock are usually used as negative references in literature. How is this different in this poem?
Ans. In literature, crows and hemlock trees are often associated with negative or dark elements, such as death, decay, and danger. However, in the poem "Dust of Snow" by Robert Frost, the use of these elements is different.
Instead of representing negative or dark elements, the crow and hemlock tree in the poem serves as a contrast to the transformative power of nature. The dust of snow that falls on the poet serves as a positive and hopeful image, and it is only through the contrast with the darkness of the crow and hemlock that this transformation is made more pronounced.
Frost does not use them to reinforce a negative or ominous mood, but rather to create a contrast that highlights the beauty and transformative power of nature.
Q. No. 10) Imagine that the tallest oak in ‘Trees’ and the hemlock tree in ‘Dust of Snow’ share a conversation about their speakers (The ‘I’ in the poems).
Write this conversation between the two trees.
You may begin like this:
Oak: Adrienne chose to stay indoors on the significant full moon night, you know.
Hemlock: Hmmm… Robert was out. Out in the snow that day. What do you think Adrienne might have been thinking?
Oak: Well…I feel………………………………. Why do you think Robert might have been out on a snowy day?
Hemlock……………………………….
Ans. Oak: Adrienne chose to stay indoors on the significant full moon night, you know.
Hemlock: Hmmm… Robert was out. Out in the snow that day. What do you think Adrienne might have been thinking?
Oak: Well… I feel Adrienne may have been preoccupied with her own thoughts and perhaps didn't fully appreciate the beauty and significance of the natural world outside. Maybe she was consumed by her daily concerns or couldn't connect with the forest's transformation as we did.
Hemlock: It's possible. But Robert Frost's speaker, on that snowy day, seemed to find solace and renewal in the midst of nature. He acknowledged the transformative power of the snowfall. Perhaps, he was seeking a fresh perspective, a moment of clarity amidst the chaos of life.
Oak: Indeed, Hemlock. It's intriguing how poets' choices reflect their perspectives. Adrienne, focusing on our departure, may highlight the struggle against confinement, while Robert, in the snow, finds hope in unexpected moments. Both remind us of the intricate relationship between humans and nature.
Hemlock: True, Oak. We, as symbols of nature, resonate with the poets' messages, representing different facets of the human experience.
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