Dust of Snow

The crow, snow, and hemlock tree help the speaker feel less sorrow, turning these natural elements into healers. The symbolism is ironic—that is, there’s a twist that upends typical expectations. Neither of the three symbols conventionally aligns with healing. Crows have an odious reputation in culture, while snow, though enchanting during the holidays, signifies coldness. Hemlock trees aren’t poisonous, but the tree’s name comes from the similarities between its foliage and the poisonous hemlock plant.

In Frost’s poem, the trio transforms into a wholesome presence. Each one plays a role in the process of countering the speaker’s sadness and giving them “[a] change of mood” (Line 6). The hemlock tree provides a place for the snow to fall and the crow to land. The crown then shakes “[t]he dust of snow” (Line 3) from the tree onto the speaker, which puts the speaker’s “heart” (Line 5) in a positive direction. As healers, they don’t cure the speaker, but curing unhappiness isn’t plausible. The healers do what’s possible, and because of their work, the speaker has “saved some part” (Line 7) of their day from gloom.