Dust of Snow Summary
Dust of Snow Summary
Line-by-Line Explanation of “Dust of Snow” by Robert Frost
“The way a crow”
The poem begins by introducing a crow, a common black bird.
“Shook down on me”
The crow’s action is described as shaking something down upon the narrator.
“The dust of snow”
What the crow shakes down is revealed to be fine snow, described as “dust of snow.”
“From a hemlock tree”
The snow is shaken off from a hemlock tree, an evergreen tree known for its small needles.
“Has given my heart”
The simple act of the crow shaking snow onto the narrator has affected their emotional state or mood.
“A change of mood”
The narrator experiences a shift in their emotional state or mindset.
“And saved some part”
This change in mood has a positive effect, “saving” or redeeming a portion of the narrator’s day.
“Of a day I had rued.”
The narrator had initially regretted or felt sorrow about the day, but the crow’s action has changed that.
Central Idea of “Dust of Snow” by Robert Frost
The central idea or theme of Robert Frost’s poem “Dust of Snow” is that small, seemingly insignificant moments or events in nature can have a profound impact on one’s mood, perspective, and outlook on life.
Impact of Small Moments in Nature
In the poem, the simple act of a crow shaking snow from a hemlock tree onto the poet is enough to change his mood and save a portion of a day that he had initially regretted. This suggests that even on our worst days, a brief interaction with nature or a fleeting moment of beauty can shift our mindset and provide a glimmer of hope or positivity.
Challenging Preconceived Notions
The poem also challenges our preconceived notions and associations by using a crow and a hemlock tree, which are often linked with negative symbolism, to represent a moment of unexpected joy or redemption. This implies that we should be open to finding beauty and meaning in unlikely places and that even the darkest elements in life can have a positive impact.
Overall Message
Overall, the central idea of “Dust of Snow” is that we should be receptive to the small, surprising moments in life that can change our perspective and that nature has the power to uplift and inspire us, even in the midst of difficult times.
Dust of Snow Solution
Q1. What is a “dust of snow”? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet’s mood changed?
A1. “Dust of snow” refers to the fine, powdery snow that the crow shakes off the hemlock tree and onto the poet. This small, seemingly insignificant event is what the poet says has changed his mood. The poet’s mood has changed from one of regret or sorrow (“a day I had rued”) to a more positive or hopeful one, as the crow’s action has “saved some part” of his day.
Q2. 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?
A2. Frost presents nature in a unique and thought-provoking way in this poem:
(i) Crows are not typically the birds mentioned in poetry, which often focuses on more melodic or symbolically beautiful birds like nightingales, doves, or swans. Crows are often associated with darker imagery, such as death, mystery, or ill omens. By choosing a crow, Frost challenges traditional poetic conventions and symbolism.
(ii) A hemlock tree is an evergreen known for its poisonous properties. By not choosing a more conventionally “beautiful” tree, Frost suggests that beauty and significance can be found in unexpected places, and that even seemingly dark or negative elements in nature can have a positive impact.
(iii) The crow and hemlock tree, often associated with darker themes, ironically represent a moment of joy or hope in the poem. The dust of snow that the crow shakes from the hemlock tree symbolizes a small, fleeting moment of beauty or grace that has the power to change the poet’s perspective and mood.
Q3. Have there been times when you felt depressed or hopeless? Have you experienced a similar moment that changed your mood that day?
A3. Personal experiences of feeling depressed or hopeless, and moments that have changed one’s mood, will vary from individual to individual. However, the poem suggests that small, unexpected moments in nature or in daily life can have a profound impact on our emotional state and can help us find hope or beauty in difficult times. Many people might relate to the idea of a seemingly small event or interaction suddenly shifting their perspective and improving their mood, even on a day that seemed bleak or regrettable.
Poetic Devices in “Dust of Snow” by Robert Frost
Robert Frost’s poem “Dust of Snow” employs several poetic devices that enhance its meaning and emotional impact. Here are some of the key devices used:
1. Imagery
Imagery involves using descriptive language to create visual pictures in the reader’s mind. In this poem, Frost uses imagery to describe the scene vividly:
“The way a crow / Shook down on me / The dust of snow / From a hemlock tree” creates a clear visual of a crow shaking snow off a tree onto the speaker.
2. Symbolism
Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. In this poem:
The “crow” and “hemlock tree” are often associated with negative connotations (crows with bad omens and hemlock with poison). However, in this context, they bring about a positive change, symbolizing unexpected sources of joy or transformation.
“Dust of snow” symbolizes a small, seemingly insignificant event that has a profound impact on the speaker’s mood.
3. Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. It adds a musical quality to the poem:
“Shook down on me / The dust of snow” – the repetition of the ‘s’ sound creates a soft, soothing effect.
4. Assonance
Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within words. It contributes to the poem’s rhythm and mood:
“Has given my heart / A change of mood” – the repetition of the ‘a’ sound in “has,” “heart,” and “change” creates a harmonious effect.
5. Rhyme Scheme
The poem follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, which gives it a rhythmic and structured flow:
“The way a crow (A) / Shook down on me (B) / The dust of snow (A) / From a hemlock tree (B).”
6. Enjambment
Enjambment is the continuation of a sentence or clause across a line break. It helps maintain the flow of thought and can create a sense of movement:
“The way a crow / Shook down on me / The dust of snow” – the thought continues across multiple lines, creating a seamless flow.
7. Contrast
The poem contrasts the initial negative mood with the positive change brought about by the simple act of snow falling:
“Has given my heart / A change of mood / And saved some part / Of a day I had rued.” The contrast between the speaker’s initial regret and the subsequent upliftment highlights the transformative power of small moments.
8. Metaphor
While not overtly present, the entire poem can be seen as a metaphor for how small, seemingly insignificant events can have a significant impact on our lives.
By employing these poetic devices, Robert Frost effectively conveys the theme of finding beauty and positivity in unexpected places, and how small moments can have a profound impact on our emotions and outlook.
Rhyme Scheme of “Dust of Snow” by Robert Frost
The rhyme scheme of Robert Frost’s poem “Dust of Snow” is ABAB CDCD. This means that the first and third lines of each stanza rhyme with each other, and the second and fourth lines rhyme with each other. Here’s a breakdown:
The way a crow (A)
Shook down on me (B)
The dust of snow (A)
From a hemlock tree (B)
Has given my heart (C)
A change of mood (D)
And saved some part (C)
Of a day I had rued. (D)