AECS4 ABOUT THE POET A FAMOUS AMERICAN POET

AECS-4

ABOUT THE POET A FAMOUS AMERICAN POET BORN IN SAN FRANCISCO ON MARCH 26, 1874 FATHER FROM NEW ENGLAND MOTHER A SCOTTISH EMIGRANT FROM EDINBURGH • MUCH INTERESTED IN READING AND WRITING POETRY DURING HIS SCHOOL YEARS. • •

About the poet • --he had worked as a teacher, a cobbler and an editor after leaving his school. • -his first published poem “ My Butterfly” appeared in the New York news paper “ Independent” • -His poetical works ‘A Boy’s Will, ‘North of Boston’ ‘New Hampshire’ ‘A Further Range’ and many more increased his fame and honour.

About the poet • His wife, Miriam was a major inspiration for his poetry. He was influenced by the British poets. An American poet Ezra Pound had helped him to promote and publish his work. • This poem Dust of Snow was published in New Hampshire in 1923. This collection gave him the PULITZER prize.

Symbolism ---Hemlock tree and crow Rhyme scheme--- abab Irony– a contrast It is between what appears to be true and what is ultimate truth. • “Hemlock tree” and” rue” which possess poison yet they give the poet much desired • HAPPINESS. • •

Symbolism Crow – Rarely mentioned in the poem. Looked at ominously. Gives an image of sadness. When there is any tragic or serious theme crow is mentioned. • Metaphor-Metaphor is used when the poet compared the falling snow flakes from the hemlock tree to dust. • •

• Hemlock tree --- a poisonous tree having small white flowers. • Symbolises poet was in a depressing mood. • Crow and hemlock represent sorrow and evil • Whereas ‘dust of snow’ stands for natural joy. • It refers to poet’s depressing mood is going to change into a joyful one.

• Stanza twosnowflakes fell on the poet • His mood got changed from the state of sadness to happiness. • Felt refreshed. • He had been ruing the day , but now he started taking an interest in spending it in more meaningful way.

Small incidence • This” snowflakes fell on the poet” is a small incident but • It could save the rest of the day from being wasted in disappointment. • The poet talks here the importance of small things in our lives. • Small things can change the attitude of the people at a large level.

Theme • The poet is trying to convey that when there is a change in Nature, things , mood, situations also change. • He also wants to tell that nature has answers to all human problems. • One needs to see these only. • The poet wants the readers to learn from the crow and shake off all the miseries and sadness in the same way.