In Depth Interpretation of Robert Frost's Classic Poem, Dust of Snow

The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.

Have you ever had just one of those days? You know what I mean. It would appear that our author, Mr. Frost, has experienced that too. Now, what appears to be a simple and to the point poem, is actually a rather ironic ( the opposite is meant from what is written) and symbolic piece of literature.

To begin with, a crow usually brings to mind a rather large, black bird, that is a scavenger, able to provoke fear. In fact, a group of crows is called, "a murder". However, in reality, there are forty different types of crows ranging in size from small to large. In addition, crows are unable to rip open the carcass of an animal as a true scavenger does. Instead, they wait until the carcass is opened by a scavenger, and only then can they eat the soft tissue inside. Are you wondering why? It seems that the crow's beak is not strong enough to break apart a carcass due to its stout shape. Furthermore, crows are not pure black in color. They are black-glossed with violet. To continue this ironic plunge, the color violet symbolizes, "a purpose". In our present day world, where stereotyping and misjudging others due to race, religion, sexual persuasion, etc. will hopefully be lessening, isn't it amazing that
Robert Frost was able to use the black, fearsome, scavenger, crow to represent a wonderful purpose? It is the crow that was able to shake the dust of snow from the hemlock tree and bring about a wondrous change to the author's otherwise, gloomy, miserable day.

The second evidence of irony and symbolism use is how Frost uses a hemlock tree. He could have used any type of tree he wanted to in this poem. But, the clever Mr. Frost, used the hemlock tree to further create his view of the world. A hemlock tree is known by several common names and is linked to toxicity. Let's name a few of these trees: Poison Hemlock, Irish "Devil's Porridge", Beaver Poison, and Poison Parsley. Yet, in this poem, it is the hemlock tree that holds the precious snow treasure that is pure and good bringing beauty to all. Its branches or arms opened up when touched by the crow. By using the fearsome crow and the poisonous hemlock tree to be the reason for Frost's mood to improve, he is showing us how the world should be viewed without prejudgment and stereotypes. Beauty can be found in the simple things, and heroes are sometimes not who you expect them to be.

Did you ever wake up in the morning to a world covered by a blanket of snow? Nothing can be seen or felt for that moment, but pure beauty, tranquility, and peace. The dirt in the street is covered. Dead plants and animals are covered. All cars, trees, and houses are covered with this white stillness. At that moment, everything in the world is equal. You can't distinguish, one tree from another, one house from another, or one car from another. Isn't that the way we should view one another? Without prejudice, without stereotyping, without judgment?

I think if you read, Dust of Snow, one more time, you will see all it represents and develop a greater appreciation of Robert Frost, who obviously, wanted a fair and equal world in which to live.

Hope you enjoyed reading this, and let me know if you felt better afterward.
Now, go make another cup of hot chocolate, and if you're lucky there is snow right outside your window. Enjoy!