The CBSE Class 10 English First Flight textbook contains several poems that students have to read and understand. One such poem is “Dust of Snow” by Robert Frost. In this article, we will provide a summary of the poem along with notes that will help students understand the poem better.
Dust of Snow
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 ruad.
Poem Summary
“Dust of Snow” is a short poem consisting of only two stanzas. It describes a simple incident that occurs in nature and the impact it has on the speaker’s mood.
Stanza 1
The first stanza of the poem describes the incident that takes place. The speaker is walking through the woods when a crow shakes some snow from a hemlock tree onto the speaker. The snow is described as “dust” which is a metaphorical way of describing the small amount of snow that falls on the speaker.
Stanza 2
The second stanza of the poem describes the impact that the incident has on the speaker. The speaker initially feels depressed, but the falling snow seems to have a cathartic effect on him. He feels that the incident has changed his mood and his outlook on life. The poem ends with the speaker feeling uplifted and ready to face the challenges of life.
Also Check: NCERT Solutions For CBSE Class 10
Poetic Devices
Poets use various techniques to enhance the impact of their poems. “Dust of Snow” contains several poetic devices that add depth and meaning to the poem.
Rhyme Scheme
The poem follows an AABA rhyme scheme in both stanzas. The use of rhyme creates a sense of musicality and harmony in the poem.
Alliteration
The poem contains several examples of alliteration, such as “clipped” and “crow” in the first line of the first stanza. The use of alliteration adds a musical quality to the poem.
Assonance
The use of assonance can be seen in the repetition of the “o” sound in “snow” and “crow” in the first stanza. This adds a sense of harmony and rhythm to the poem.
Consonance
Consonance is used in the repetition of the “s” sound in “dust” and “snow” in the first stanza. This creates a sense of softness and gentleness in the poem.
Personification
The crow in the poem is given human qualities when it shakes the snow from the tree. This personification adds a sense of life and energy to the poem.
Themes
“Dust of Snow” contains several themes that are relevant to the modern world.
The Power of Nature
The poem highlights the power of nature to change a person’s mood and outlook on life. The falling snow has a transformative effect on the speaker, lifting him out of his depression and inspiring him to face the
challenges of life. This theme is relevant today as people often seek solace in nature to find peace and comfort amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Redemption
The poem also explores the theme of redemption. The speaker initially feels depressed, but the incident with the snow seems to have a cathartic effect on him. This suggests that even small moments of beauty and joy can have a transformative effect on a person’s life, leading to a sense of redemption and hope.
Conclusion
“Dust of Snow” is a beautiful poem that explores the power of nature to transform a person’s mood and outlook on life. Robert Frost’s use of poetic devices adds depth and meaning to the poem, making it a joy to read and analyze. We hope this article has provided a useful summary and notes for students studying CBSE Class 10 English First Flight.
NCERT Solutions For Class 10 English First Flight Dust of Snow Questions and Answers
What is the meaning of “Dust of Snow”?
“Dust of Snow” refers to the small amount of snow that falls on the speaker in the poem. It has a transformative effect on his mood and outlook on life.
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
The poem follows an AABA rhyme scheme in both stanzas.
What is the theme of the poem?
The poem explores the themes of the power of nature and redemption.
What is the significance of the crow in the poem?
The crow in the poem shakes the snow from the tree, creating the “dust of snow” that falls on the speaker. It adds a sense of life and energy to the poem.
What is the impact of the falling snow on the speaker?
The falling snow has a transformative effect on the speaker, lifting him out of his depression and inspiring him to face the challenges of life.
What is a “dust of snow”? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet’s mood changed?
“Dust of snow” are small particles of snow that remain on the body after the snowfall. The poet was his desire, and the snowfall mood but with the shower of snow changed his mood. Now he becomes positioned in his mood.
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. The birds mainly named in poems are nightingale, cuckoo, sparrow, pigeon, dove, duck, etc. But the crow is not often mentioned in poems. If we think about any crow then our mind feels sadness and sorrow.
(ii) Again, what is “a hemlock tree”? Why doesn’t the poet write about a more “beautiful” tree such as a maple, an oak, or a pine?
Ans. A Poisonous plant having white flowers is a hemlock tree. The poet must have had some rough, bitter experiences that made him sad which is why the post doesn’t 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 shook off a hemlock tree stand for?
Ans. The ‘crow’ and ‘hemlock’ represents joy. The dust of snow that the crow shakes off a hemlock tree stands for dry, cold, gloomy winter.
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