Dust of Snow Class 10 English: Summary & Important Board Questions and Answers.

Dust of Snow Class 10 English: Summary & Important Board Questions and Answers. 


Robert Frost’s poem Dust of Snow is a tiny poem with a massive message. It reminds us that even the smallest moments in nature can change our entire mood. In just eight lines, Frost shows how a simple incident—a crow shaking snow off a hemlock tree—saves a day that was otherwise going to be wasted in sadness.

A Simple Summary of Dust of Snow
The poem is set on a cold, snowy day. The poet is in a bad mood, feeling depressed and hopeless. He happens to be walking under a hemlock tree (which is a poisonous tree, often representing gloom). As he passes by, a crow—another symbol of bad luck—shakes a branch, and a "dust" of fine snow falls on the poet.
Suddenly, the cold, fresh touch of the snow changes the poet's perspective. He stops feeling sad and realizes that the rest of his day is still available to be enjoyed. The poem teaches us that nature has a healing touch and that we shouldn't judge things (like crows or hemlock trees) as purely negative.

A. Short Answer Questions (Board Exam Special)
 1.  What is a "dust of snow" and how does it change the poet's mood?
   Ans: The "dust of snow" refers to the tiny, fine particles of snow that fall from the tree. When these cold particles land on the poet, they act as a sudden physical spark that breaks his chain of negative thoughts, instantly making him feel refreshed and more positive.

 2. Why does Robert Frost use a crow and a hemlock tree instead of more "beautiful" symbols?
 Ans:   Frost purposefully avoids traditional symbols like nightingales or oak trees. By using a crow and a poisonous hemlock tree, he shows that joy and healing can come from unexpected or "dark" sources. It challenges the idea that only "pretty" things can bring happiness.

 3. What does the poet mean by saying he had "rued" a part of the day?
  Ans: The word "rued" means to feel regret or bitterness. The poet had spent the first half of his day feeling miserable and sorry for himself. He felt the day was wasted until the snow fell on him and saved the remaining hours.

 4.  What is the central idea or theme of the poem?
  Ans: The central theme is the healing power of nature and the significance of small moments. It suggests that a small positive change in our environment can lead to a big change in our mental state.

 5. How does the poet’s mood change from the beginning to the end?
Ans :  At the start, the poet is in a state of "regret" and sorrow (depressive mood). By the end, his heart has experienced a "change of mood," and he feels a sense of relief and gratitude for the rest of his day.

 6. What do the crow and the hemlock tree usually represent in literature?
   Ans: In most literature, both the crow and the hemlock tree represent sorrow, death, or bad omens. Frost flips this traditional meaning by making them the causes of the poet's happiness.

 7. Describe the setting of the poem in your own words.
   Ans: The setting is a quiet, wintry day. The poet is walking outdoors, surrounded by snow, near a hemlock tree. The atmosphere is initially chilly and somber, mirroring the poet's internal feelings.

 8.  What can we learn from the poet’s experience?
  Ans:  We learn that we should not lose hope during bad times. Sometimes, a very small, seemingly insignificant event can turn our situation around and give us a fresh start.


Long Answer Questions (5 Marks)
 1. Small things in life can make a big difference. Elaborate on this statement with reference to the poem Dust of Snow.
 Ans:   The poem beautifully illustrates that life isn't just about big achievements or major events. Sometimes, a tiny touch of nature, like snow falling, can be a turning point. The poet was stuck in a cycle of dark thoughts, but the physical sensation of the snow forced him to live in the present moment. This teaches us to appreciate small joys and stay open to the beauty around us, even when we are feeling low.

 2.  How does Frost use irony and symbolism to deliver a positive message in this poem?
Ans:    The irony lies in the fact that the symbols of "doom" (the crow and the hemlock) are the very things that bring "deliverance" to the poet. Usually, a hemlock tree is associated with poison and a crow with harshness. However, Frost uses them as messengers of change. This symbolism teaches the reader that everything in nature has a purpose and that even the most "unpleasant" things can be a source of grace and positivity.

 3. Compare the poet's initial state of mind with his final state. What does this transition tell us about human emotions?
  Ans:  The transition from "ruing" a day to feeling "saved" shows how fragile and yet resilient human emotions are. We often let one bad incident ruin our entire day. However, the poem suggests that emotions are not permanent. Just as a crow can shake a branch, we can shake off our sadness if we allow ourselves to notice the world around us. It highlights the importance of mindfulness and the role nature plays in stabilizing our mental health.

 4. Nature is a great healer. Discuss this in the context of the poem.
 Ans :  The poem portrays nature not as a grand landscape, but as a simple, interactive force. There are no long speeches or complicated rituals; just a crow and some snow. This simplicity is where the healing lies. Nature doesn't judge the poet's sadness; it simply exists. By interacting with it, the poet is reminded that the world is larger than his personal problems, which helps him regain his perspective and "save" his day.

5.  If you were in the poet's place and having a bad day, how would you react to such an incident?
   Ans:This is a subjective question, but a good answer would reflect on how modern life is full of stress. Like the poet, we often get caught up in our worries. An incident like snow falling or a bird chirping can serve as a "wake-up call." It teaches us to take a deep breath, look around, and realize that life is still moving forward. It encourages us to find our own "dust of snow" in the small moments of our daily lives.

MCQS 
 1. Who is the poet of the poem Dust of Snow?
   A. Leslie Norris
   B. Robert Frost
   C. Carolyn Wells
   D. Robin Klein
   Answer: B
 2. What did the crow shake on the poet?
   A. Dust of soil
   B. Dust of snow
   C. Tree leaves
   D. Water drops
   Answer: B
 3. Where was the crow sitting?
   A. On a Banyan tree
   B. On a Peepal tree
   C. On a Hemlock tree
   D. On an Oak tree
   Answer: C
 4.  What is a "Hemlock tree"?
   A. A medicinal tree
   B. A fruit-bearing tree
   C. A poisonous tree with white flowers
   D. A very tall pine tree
   Answer: C
 5.  What was the poet's mood at the start of the poem?
   A. Joyful
   B. Depressive/Sad
   C. Angry
   D. Confused
   Answer: B
 6.  What does the "Dust of Snow" represent?
   A. Healing power of nature
   B. Particles of dirt
   C. Winter season
   D. Bad luck
   Answer: A
 7.  What did the poet save?
   A. His money
   B. Some part of the day
   C. The crow
   D. The tree
   Answer: B
 8.  What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
   A. abab cdcd
   B. abba cddc
   C. aabb ccdd
   D. abcd abcd
   Answer: A
 9. Which literary device is used in the line "Has given my heart"?
   A. Metaphor
   B. Alliteration
   C. Simile
   D. Personification
   Answer: B (The 'h' sound is repeated)
 10.  What does the crow and Hemlock tree symbolize?
   A. Happiness
   B. Celebration
   C. Sorrow/Gloom
   D. Prosperity
   Answer: C

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