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?
(ii) Again, what is 'a hemlock tree'? Why doesn't the poet 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 shakes off a hemlock tree stand for?
(i) The poet has depicted nature unusually. Generally, we come across birds such as nightingales or sparrows in poems concerned with nature and its beauty. No, crow is not often mentioned in the poems. The crow is considered as a harbinger of bad news and sadness. Frost has used a crow in this poem to indicate sorrow and foreboding.
(ii) A hemlock tree is a poisonous tree. The poet has employed a hemlock tree, instead of a more beautiful tree such as a maple, or oak, or pine because these trees symbolise beauty and happiness. Frost wanted to symbolise the feelings of sadness and regret, which is why he has used a hemlock tree.
(ii) The 'crow' and 'hemlock' represent joy. The dust of snow brings happiness to the poet and changes his remorseful mood.
Have there been times when you felt depressed or hopeless? Have you experienced a similar moment that changed your mood that day?
What is a “dust of snow”? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet’s mood changed?
For Frost, what do ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for? Here are some ideas:
greed avarice cruelty lust
conflict fury intolerance rigidity
insensitivity coldness indifference hatred
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? How does it help in bringing out the contrasting ideas in the poem?
