In the poem 'Dust of Snow', what do the 'crow' and the 'hemlock tree' symbolize?
Answer
Sorrow and gloom
The correct answer is Sorrow and gloom — Step 3: Conclude that both symbols represent gloom, sorrow, and a depressive mood.
Step-by-step solution
- Step 1: Identify the central symbols used in the poem, namely the 'crow' and the 'hemlock tree'.
- Step 2: Analyze their literary associations: crows are traditionally associated with bad omens, and hemlock is a poisonous plant associated with sadness and death.
- Step 3: Conclude that both symbols represent gloom, sorrow, and a depressive mood.
Common mistake: Confusing traditional positive symbols of nature with the unconventional negative symbols used by Frost.
Concept tested: Symbolism in Dust of Snow
Published · How this solution was prepared and checked
Related questions
- 1 What light action performed by the crow changes the poet's mood in the poem 'Dust of Snow'?
- 2 Explain how the crow's action at the beginning of 'Dust of Snow' changes the poet's mood.
- 3 Identify the rhyme scheme of the poem 'Dust of Snow' and give one example of alliteration from the text.
- 4 Identify the rhyme scheme of the first stanza of the poem 'Dust of Snow'.
- 5 How does Robert Frost present nature differently in 'Dust of Snow' compared to conventional romantic poets?
- 6 In the poem "The Trees", how does the poet use the image of night to symbolize change?