TEXT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
1. What is a “dust of snow”? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet’s mood changed ?
Ans: A ’dust of snow’ means particles of snow that are seen falling down . During a snowfall fine dust of snow gathers over everything. The way the crow shook the dust of snow and the falling of the dust of snow on the poet changed his mood from sadness to happiness. He felt refreshed and wanted to enjoy and make use of the rest of the day.
2. 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 ?
Ans: Usually in poems the birds known for their beauty and good qualities like peacock, cuckoo, nightingale,etc.are often mentioned by the poets.
A crow is not often mentioned in poems. Crow is black in colour with a very harsh voice. Thinking of a crow bring sad,negative and depressive thoughts to my mind.
(ii) Again, what is “Hemlock tree”? why doesn’t the port write about a more beautiful tree such a maple, or an oak or a pine ?
Ans: A “Hemlock tree” is a poisonous tree with small white flowers. The poet, Robert Frost didn’t choose to use maple, oak or pine tree because the hemlock tree presented his moods and feelings at that moment.As initially he was in a sad and depressive mood.
(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 ?
Ans: The ‘crow’ and ‘hemlock’ tree both represent sorrow. The dust of snow that the crow shakes off a hemlock tree means letting go of the sad, depressive moments and welcoming good positive thoughts of hope and joy.
3. Have there been times when you felt depressed and hopeless? Have you experienced a similar moment that changed your mood that day ?
Ans: Yes, there has been times when I felt depressed and hopeless. Sometimes because of other people’s behaviour and attitude, sometimes due to my own conduct. Once when I experienced a sad moment, I walked to the park, saw children playing in the park freely without any care in the world. Looking at them changed my mind and mood and I felt very happy for the rest of the day.