Dust of Snow by Robert Frost

Questions
1. 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?

Robert Frost has described nature in an unusual and unconventional manner. Usually, most
poets use the names of birds which symbolize beauty and pleasure e.g. Nightingales,
Peacocks, Sparrows, Pigeons etc. But in this poem, poet takes a completely different
approach by choosing a crow. A crow is a symbol of sorrow, dismay, bad omen and darkness.
The poet too had a similar state of mind and hence the crow describes the situation aptly.

2. What is ‘a hemlock tree’? Why doesn’t the poet write about more ‘beautiful’ trees such as a maple,

or an oak, or a pine?

Robert Frost has described nature in an unusual and unconventional manner. The poet uses a
‘hemlock tree’ in this poem as it is a poisonous tree which is associated with remorse,
sadness and depression. The poet used this tree to symbolize and describe his awful feelings
at that moment. The poet did not write about a more beautiful tree like a maple or oak
because these trees represent happiness, beauty and joy which is contradictory to the poet’s
mood and feelings in that situation.

3. How can the theme of unexpected moments of joy and transformation, as depicted in "Dust
of Snow," be applied to everyday life?

In “Dust of Snow,” the poet shares how a short moment with nature, such as snow falling
from a branch, can lift our spirits. This moment highlights the importance of mindfulness, or
really noticing the small details in our world.

By focusing on these little things, we discover beauty in unexpected spots, like the unique
pattern of a snowflake or the peaceful silence of an early morning. This awareness can bring
us joy and reduce our stress, shifting our focus away from our troubles.

It encourages us to appreciate the everyday wonders, turning even a regular walk or a simple
cup of tea into something special. This way of seeing the world can help us feel more at
peace and capable of handling life’s challenges, making our worries feel less overwhelming.

4. How does the poem "Dust of Snow" illustrate the concept of finding beauty and redemption in nature?

Nature is a recurrent theme in Frost’s poetry, often serving as a metaphor for human emotions
and experiences. In “Dust of Snow,” nature is not merely a backdrop but an active participant
that influences the speaker’s state of mind. The poem exemplifies Frost’s talent for finding
profound significance in everyday natural events, suggesting that the beauty and randomness
of nature can provide unexpected moments of clarity and joy.
 Holes by Louis Sachar
5.. Evaluate the main themes of the story and explain it through textual evidence.( Refer to the full text )
Suggested Themes could be - Whatever goes around comes around, Inheritance and bullying, fate and destiny,
friendship and loyalty.

The Power of Fate to Determine Events

Although Stanley always believes that he is unlucky and in the wrong place at the wrong time, the events in the
book seem to be the result of fate's reunification of members of the Yelnats and Zeroni families for the mutual
benefit of both parties. Each coincidence in the book, including the shoes that Hector stole flying off the hood of
a parked car and hitting Stanley on the head, is so unpredictable and unlikely that it appears fate is the
determining factor in these characters' lives.

The Benefits of Friendship

The benefits of forming solid friendships are clearly shown in Holes. Stanley and Zero's friendship lead to their
mutual survival and wealth. Even though he is still facing adversity, once Stanley is secure in Zero's friendship
he feels happier than he has ever felt in his life. False friends who are only friendly when they are getting
something they want, like X-Ray, are shown to be dangerous. Once X-Ray stops getting benefits out of his
friendship with Stanley, he becomes hostile towards him.

The Destructive Nature of Cruelty

Cruelty abounds at Camp Green Lake, and its destructive results are frequently illustrated. The cruelty that Sam
and Kate face in the town of Green Lake pushed Kate to become cruel herself and kill and rob people. When the
Warden is cruel to Mr. Sir, he reacts by punishing Stanley. When Zero, normally a calm boy, is pushed past his
limit by Mr. Pendanski's taunting, he reacts with violence, slamming his shovel into Mr. Pendanski's face.
Cruelty is something that one person can cause in another and a cycle of violence and cruelty is shown to pass
through many decades and several generations at Green Lake.