Dust of snow

Dust of Snow, Fire and Ice 1st Poem

  Poem : Dust of Snow Thinking about the Poem :

Question 1.
What is a "dust of snow"? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poets mood changed?

Answer: The dust of snow is a collection of minute particles of snow. The poet says that the dust of snow from the hemlock tree changed his mood. Before the dust of snow fell on the poet, he was in a sad mood. The dust of snow resulted in a change of his mood. He became happy. He was thankful to that mood-changing dust of snow

Question 2.
How does Frost present nature in this poem? The following questions may help you to think of an answer?

1. 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
2. Again, what is "a hemlock tree"? Why doesnt the poet write about more beautiful tree such as a maple, or an oak, or a pine
3. What do the crow and themlock represent - joy or sorrow? What does the dust of snow that the crow shakes off a hemlock tree stand for

Answer: Frost treads the road not taken by mobs. He loves nature. He presents nature here in an original perspective. The crow is regarded as an ugly and ominous bird. The hemlock is a poisonous tree. The dust of snow is cold and not warm. Yet, Frost uses these elements of nature in unison as those that bring in cheer to the till then sorrowful speaker. The poets courage and variety are admirable

Question 3.
Have there been times when you felt depressed or hopeless? Have you experienced a similar moment that changed your mood that day?

Answer: Yes, I too was low quite a number of times. And a small sight then filled my heart with thrill and the sad mood said goodbye. One of such cheer-infusing sights is a young calf, with its tail high in the air, galloping along our compound wall. Yes, joy unlimited greets me whenever I recollect that sight and see that calf in my minds eye

Poem : Fire and Ice Thinking about the Poem:

Question 1.
There are many ideas about how the world will end. Do you think the world will end some day? Have you ever thought what would happen if the sun got so hot that it burst, or grew colder and colder?

Answer: No, I dont think the world will end soon. My focus is on the present. I have never thought about the sun bursting or getting colder. But it is quite clear that life on the earth is inconceivable without the sun

Question 2.
For Frost, what do fire and ice stand for? Here are some ideas?

Answer: Fire stands for : greed, avarice, cruelty, lust, conflict, fury, and intolerance Ice stands for : rigidity, insensitivity, coldness, indifference, and hatred

Question 3.
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem ? How does it help in bringing out the contrasting ideas in the poem?

Answer: The rhyme scheme is : abaa; bcbcb Yes, the alternating sounds help in bringing out the contrasting ideas in the poem. According to the poet, fire and ice are the two probable causes of destruction. Fire stands for desire and ice for hatred. By the rhyming scheme like - fire - desire, ice suffice, he communicates the idea effectively

Additional Questions :

Dust of Snow :

I. Read the following stanza

The way a crow Shook down on me The dust of snow From a hemlock tree

Question 1.
What is the speakers initial reaction to the crow in the poem?

1. Fear
2. Joy
3. Surprise

Answer: urprise

Question 2.
What is the significance of the dust of snow in the poem?

1. It represents purity and innocence
2. It symbolizes the crows mischief
3. It signifies the harshness of winter

Answer: It represents purity and innocence

Question 3.
Which tree is mentioned in the poem from which the dust of snow falls?

1. Oak tree
2. Pine tree
3. Hemlock tree

Answer: Hemlock tree

Question 4.
What season is likely being described in the poem based on the imagery of the falling snow ?

1. Summer
2. Autumn
3. Winter

Answer: Winter

Question 5.
In the context of the poem, what might the crow symbolize?

1. Wisdom
2. Mischief
3. Sorrow

Answer: Mischief

Question 6.
What is the emotional tone of the poems speaker after the dust of snow falls ?

1. Contentment
2. Desolation
3. Inspiration

Answer: Inspiration

Question 7.
What does the dust of snow do to the speaker in the poem?

1. Makes the speaker happy
2. Leaves the speaker untouched
3. Causes the speaker to feel sad

Answer: Makes the speaker happy

Question 8.
What is the symbolic significance of the crow in the poem?

1. Bringer of bad luck
2. Messenger of joy
3. Harbinger of change

Answer: Harbinger of change

Question 9.
What does the hemlock tree symbolize in the poem?

1. Danger
2. Purity
3. Poison

Answer: Poison

Question 10.
In the poem, what does the speaker seem to appreciate about the crows actions?

1. The crows intelligence
2. The crows beauty
3. The unexpected joy brought by the crow

Answer: The unexpected joy brought by the crow

Question 11.
What is the impact of the crow shaking down the dust of snow on the speakermood ?

1. It deepens the speakers sadness
2. It has no impact on the speakers mood
3. It lightens the speakers mood

Answer: It lightens the speakers mood

Question 12.
How does the imagery of the hemlock tree contribute to the overall tone of the poem ?

1. Adds a sense of danger
2. Enhances the beauty of the scene
3. Represents growth and vitality

Answer: Adds a sense of danger

II. Read the following stanza

Has given my heart A change of mood And saved some part Of a day I had rued

Question 1.
What effect does the described experience have on the speakers heart in the poem ?

1. It breaks the speakers heart
2. It warms the speakers heart
3. It confuses the speakers heart

Answer: It warms the speakers heart

Question 2.
According to the stanza, what has the described experience done to the speakers day?

1. Ruined the entire day
2. Improved the day
3. Made the day boring

Answer: Improved the day

Question 3.
What is the overall mood conveyed in this stanza of the poem?

1. Melancholic
2. Joyful
3. Regretful

Answer: Joyful

Question 4.
What does the speaker mean by And saved some part in the context of the stanza?

1. Rescued a physical object
2. Preserved a positive memory
3. Rescued a person

Answer: Preserved a positive memory

Question 5.
What does the phrase saved some part imply about the impact of the experience on the speaker?

1. It had a minimal effect
2. It had a significant and positive effect
3. It had a negative effect

Answer: It had a significant and positive effect

Question 6.
Based on the stanza, what can be inferred about the speakers initial mood before the described experience?

1. Contentment
2. Excitement
3. Disappointment

Answer: Disappointment

Question 7.
What is the speaker referring to when mentioning a day I had rued ?

1. A day filled with regret
2. A day full of joy
3. A day of indifference

Answer: A day filled with regret

Question 8.
What does the speaker mean by Has given my heart / A change of mood ?

1. The speakers heart has physically changed
2. The speakers emotional state has shifted positively
3. The speakers heart rate has increased

Answer: The speakers emotional state has shifted positively

Question 9.
In the context of the stanza, what role does the described experience play in the speakers life?

1. It is insignificant
2. It is detrimental
3. It is transformative and beneficial

Answer: It is transformative and beneficial

Question 10.
What emotion is likely to be associated with the phrase saved some part in the context of the poem?

1. Despair
2. Gratitude
3. Apathy

Answer: Gratitude

Question 11.
How does the speakers perception of the day change after the described experience?

1. It remains unchanged
2. It becomes more regretful
3. It becomes more positive

Answer: It becomes more positive

Question 12.
What literary device is employed in the line And saved some part / Of a day I had rued?

1. Simile
2. Alliteration
3. Metaphor

Answer: Metaphor

Fire and ice : III. Read the following stanza

Some say the world will end in fire Some say in ice. From what Ive tasted of desire 1 hold with those who favour fire

Question 1.
What is the speakers preference regarding the end of the world?

1. Fire
2. Ice
3. Both

Answer: Fire

Question 2.
What does the speaker mention having tasted that influences their preference ?

1. Water
2. Desire
3. Fire

Answer: Desire

Question 3.
What are the two suggested ways in which the world may end in the poem ?

• Water and Air
• Fire and Ice
• Earth and Wind

Answer: Fire and Ice

Question 4.
According to the stanza, what do some people believe will cause the end of the world?

1. Water
2. Fire
3. Ice

Answer: Fire

Question 5.
What is the speakers rationale for favouring fire as the end of the world ?

1. It is more destructive
2. It is more calming
3. It is unpredictable

Answer: It is more destructive

Question 6.
According to the speakers personal preference, which element does the speaker believe will bring about the end of the world?

1. Ice
2. Fire
3. Water

Answer: Fire

Question 7.
Which element mentioned in the stanza is associated with a cold and icy nature?

1. Water
2. Fire
3. Desire

Answer: Water

Question 8.
What does the speaker hold with, indicating agreement with a particular viewpoint ?

1. Despair
2. Fire
3. Ice

Answer: Fire

Question 9.
What does the speaker express a preference for based on their experience with emotions?

1. Ice
2. Water
3. Fire

Answer: Fire

Question 10.
What emotion or feeling does the speaker attribute to their preference for fire ?

1. Calmness
2. Passion
3. Indifference

Answer: Passion

Question 11.
In the context of the stanza, what does tasted of desire likely refer to ?

1. Experiencing love
2. Exploring new foods
3. Engaging in intellectual pursuits

Answer: Experiencing love

Question 12.
What emotion or concept is mentioned in connection with the speakers preference for fire ?

1. Hope
2. Despair
3. Desire

Answer: Desire

IV. Read the following stanza But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate To say that for destruction ice Is also great And would suffice.

Question 1.
What does the speaker suggest about the possibility of the world perishing twice ?

1. It is unlikely to happen
2. It is a hypothetical scenario
3. It is a definite possibility

Answer: It is a definite possibility

Question 2.
According to the stanza, what emotion does the speaker associate with the potential destruction by ice ?

1. Love
2. Hate
3. Indifference

Answer: Hate

Question 3.
In the given stanza, what is the speakers perspective on the second possible way for the world to end?

1. Love
2. Hate
3. Desire

Answer: Hate

Question 4.
What does the speaker claim to know enough of in the context of the stanza ?

1. Love
2. Desire
3. Hate

Answer: Hate

Question 5.
What does the speaker suggest about the destructive power of ice

1. It is insignificant
2. It is great and sufficient
3. It is unpredictable

Answer: It is great and sufficient

Question 6.
According to the speaker, what is the destructive force associated with hate in the stanza ?

1. Water
2. Fire
3. Ice

Answer: Ice

Question 7.
According to the stanza, what does the speaker believe would be sufficient for destruction?

1. Love
2. Fire
3. Ice

Answer:

Ice

Question 8.
What is the speakers attitude towards the potential destruction by ice?

1. Indifferent
2. Enthusiastic
3. Fearful

Answer: Indifferent

Question 9.
What word does the speaker use to describe the level of knowledge they have about hate?

1. imited
2. Abundant
3. Sufficient

Answer: Sufficient

Question 10.
In the context of the stanza, what does the speaker believe would be adequate for destruction?

1. Love
2. Hate
3. Both

Answer: Hate

Question 11.
What does the speaker imply about hate as a force of destruction?

1. Hate is insufficient for destruction
2. Hate is powerful but neutral
3. Hate is the ultimate destructive force

Answer: Hate is insufficient for destruction

Dust of Snow Poem Summary in English

Robert Frost is a world-renowned American nature poet. He treads the road not taken by other poets. He uses imagery unique. His style is tucid. With the help of a small anecdote he conveys a lasting message. "Dust of Snow", the present poem, stands an illustration to the above points. The poet was once sad. He was standing under a hemlock tree. Then a crow shook the branches of that hemlock tree. As a result, a dust of snow fell on the poet. That changed his sad mood and saved his day

Glossary :
1. dust (n) : finest particles
2. snow ( n) : frozen water
3. shook (v-pt of shake) : caused to move / moved rapidly in opposite directions
4. hemlock (n) : a poisonous plant (tree)
5. mood (n) : the state of the mind
6. rued (pt of rue) : repented

Fire and Ice Poem Summary in English

Variety - that too unimaginable - is the spice of Frosts poetry. The given poem, "Fire and Ice", proves the point beyond doubt. He quotes two contrasting statements of people. Both of them are about the total destruction of the world. Some hold that the world ends in fire. Others argue thta ice brings in the disaster

The poet supports both the arguments. And he gives reasons. According to him, fire stands for desire and greed. Desire is the root cause of all evils. Hence it has abundant power to invite the end of the world. Ice, on the other hand, stands for hatred. And hatreds potential to halt all life on this earth is ample. Thus, the poet prefers fire and gives the second chance to ice. The real culprits are human weaknesses like greed and hatred

Glossary :
1. tasted (v-) (here)
2. hold (v) : (here) agree
3. have an opinion
4. favour (v) : support
5. perish (v) : end; die
6. destruction (s (here) killing all
7. suffice (v) : be in the needed quantity