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 crew shakes off a hemlock tree stands for?

Question

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 crew shakes off a hemlock tree stands for?

Philoid · Accepted Answer

In this poem, Robert Frost praises and describes different sights of nature. Here he touches different aspects of natural sights. There are many things in nature that are not considered auspicious like-crow and hemlock. Generally, birds like cuckoo, sparrow and peacock which have some pleasing qualities about them are mentioned in the poems. The images of loud and unpleasant cawing come when one thinks about crows.

Crow is not considered a good bird. Similarly, hemlock tree is a poisonous tree and that is why it is the symbol of sadness. When the crow shakes off the dust of snow from the hemlock tree, it falls on the poet. Thus, the poet’s mood changes due to this incident.

The poet uses these symbols to express that natural beauty can improve the human mood. Also, by using these symbols the poet hopes to steer clear of the stereotypes.