The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-14 11:18 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer
(i) Shaking down of dust of snow gave the speaker a change of heart by lifting his spirits and saving the rest of his day from being wasted in regret.
(ii) The crow, traditionally a symbol of gloom, and the hemlock tree, associated with sorrow, are unconventional agents of change. When the crow shakes snow onto the speaker, this simple, unexpected natural act breaks his dark mood and brings him a moment of joy, showing that even gloomy elements can have a positive effect.
(iii) D — Snowflakes
(iv) A — 1 only
The crow and the hemlock tree are traditionally associated with sorrow/ill omen, not with elation, hope, anxiety, or enthusiasm.
Source: Dust of Snow, Robert Frost (First Flight, Class 10)
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Explanation
- (i) The answer should reflect the idea of mood upliftment — the snow falling on him snapped him out of his gloomy state.
- (ii) Examiners want you to identify the symbolism (crow = gloom, hemlock = sorrow) AND explain how they paradoxically cause a positive emotional shift. Both elements must be mentioned.
- (iii) "Dust of snow" refers to fine, light snowflakes — not mist or residue. Option D is correct.
- (iv) Both crow and hemlock carry negative/dark connotations in literature. Only "sorrow" (Option 1) fits. Option A is correct. Do not be misled by the positive outcome of the poem — the symbols themselves remain dark.