Dust of Snow — Practice

Question 1

What shook the dust of snow onto the poet, and from which tree?

Accepted Answer

✦ Answer: a crow shook it from a hemlock tree.

Question 2

What does the word 'rued' mean in the poem?

Accepted Answer

✦ Answer: regretted or felt sorry about (a day the poet had regretted).

Question 3

What is the rhyme scheme of 'Dust of Snow'?

Accepted Answer

✦ Answer: abab cdcd.

Question 4

How did the small incident change the poet's mood?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — The poet was in a sad, regretful mood.

Step 2 — When the crow shook snow onto him, this small, unexpected touch of nature lifted his spirits and saved part of a day he had been regretting.

✦ Answer: the tiny event turned his gloom into gladness, rescuing part of a regretted day.

Question 5

Why is the poet's choice of a crow and a hemlock tree significant?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Both the crow and the hemlock tree are usually symbols of gloom, death or sorrow.

Step 2 — Yet here they bring the poet a joyful, positive change — showing that even ordinary, 'gloomy' things in nature can be a source of happiness.

✦ Answer: they are normally negative symbols, but here they cause joy — a meaningful contrast.

Question 6

What message does 'Dust of Snow' convey about finding happiness?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Happiness can come from the smallest, most unexpected moments.

Step 2 — Nature has the power to heal and transform a low mood.

Step 3 — We should stay open to and value little joys, which can change our whole outlook — a message of optimism.

✦ Answer: small moments and nature can lift our spirits; value little joys and stay hopeful.

Question 7

'And saved some part / Of a day I had rued.' Explain these lines and their importance.

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — The poet says the incident (the crow shaking snow on him) rescued a portion of a day he had been regretting.

Step 2 — It shows the transformation of his mood from sorrow to gladness.

Step 3 — These lines carry the poem's central idea — that a tiny, chance gift of nature can turn a bad day around.

✦ Answer: the snow-incident saved part of a regretted day, capturing the poem's message that small natural moments transform our mood.

Practice — Dust of Snow