NCERT Solutions Class 10 English (First Flight) Poem 1 (Dust of Snow)

1. What is a “dust of snow”? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet’s mood changed?
Answer – The ‘dust of snow’ means the fine particles or flakes of snow. The sudden shower in the form of the dust of snow changed the poet’s mood. The poet’s mood changed from sad to happy. He felt refreshed and wanted to enjoy 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 crow is often mentioned in poems? What images come to your mind when you think of a crow?
Answer – Generally, poets take the birds and trees which are known for their beauty and good qualities like peacock, parrot, cuckoo, mynah and trees full of beautiful flowers and fruits, etc. But here Frost has taken a totally different approach. He chose a crow, which is not often used in poems. Crow is black in colour with very harsh voice and is believed to be a symbol of bad omen. Thinking of a crow brings very depressing and sorrowful pictures to our mind.

(ii) Again, what is ‘a hemlock tree’? Why doesn’t the poet write about more ‘beautiful’ tree such as a maple, or an oak, or a pine?
Answer – ‘A hemlock tree’ is a poisonous plant. It has small white flowers. Thejaoet does not do so. It is because it (the crow) suits better the occasion. It also suits the pitiable mood he is in.

(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?
Answer – The ‘crow’ and ‘a hemlock tree’ represent sorrow and evil. The dust of snow stands for some natural joy or something joyful. It means the sad day is going to change. It is going to change into something joyful for the poet.

3. Have there been tilnes when you felt depressed or hopeless? Have you experienced a similar moment that changed your mood that day?
Answer – There have been innumerable times when I too have felt depressed and hopeless. Sometimes, such moments were aroused by other people’s behaviour and attitude and sometimes due to my own conduct. On one occasion when I was very upset. I went out for a walk. While walking in the park, I saw a girl playing with a puppy, embracing and feeding him. This little joy that they shared changed my mood and I felt very happy for the rest of the day. I also joined the two and played with them.

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