Read the given extract and answer the questions
Extract:
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
(Dust of snow)
Question (i)
What type of language is used in this extract?
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
Simple and descriptive.
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- The language used in this extract from "Dust of Snow" by Robert Frost is simple and descriptive.
- This means that the poet uses straightforward words to paint a picture in the reader's mind.
- The language is easy to understand and helps to create a vivid image of the scene being described.
Question (ii)
What type of imagery is used in these lines of the poem?
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
Visual and tactile.
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- The imagery used in these lines of the poem is visual and tactile .
- The poet creates an image of a crow shaking snow from a tree onto the speaker, allowing the reader to visualize the scene and feel the snow falling on them .
Question (iii)
What is the significance of the words “crow,” “dust of snow,” and “hemlock tree” in this extract?
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:**
The crow represents an unexpected event or chance encounter that can change one's mood or perspective. The dust of snow represents a small but significant moment that can have a big impact . The hemlock tree represents nature and its ability to provide solace and comfort .
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- In this extract, each word has its own significance.
- The crow represents an unexpected event or chance encounter that can change one's mood or perspective.
- The dust of snow represents a small but significant moment that can have a big impact on someone's day.
- The hemlock tree represents nature and its ability to provide solace and comfort.
Question (iv)
How does the poet use contrast in the poem "Dust of Snow" to convey its message?
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
The poet uses contrast between the crow and the snow, and between the speaker's initial mood and their changed mood to convey the message of the poem.
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- In the poem "Dust of Snow" by Robert Frost, the poet uses contrast to convey its message.
- One example of contrast is between the crow and the snow . The crow is often associated with negative connotations while snow is often associated with purity and beauty. This contrast highlights the unexpectedness of the event that changes the speaker's mood.
- Another example of contrast is between the speaker's initial mood and their changed mood . At the beginning of the poem, the speaker is unhappy but after experiencing the dust of snow falling on them from a hemlock tree, their mood changes. This contrast emphasizes the impact that small moments can have on someone's day.