Fire and Ice

Fire and Ice

Introduction:

The poem “Fire and Ice” is a short poem written by Robert Frost.  The poem consists of two stanzas; each of these stanzas has four lines. The poem presents a thoughtful idea: how this world will perish. There are two reasons given in the poem that may bring the world to its end- fire and ice. Actually, the fire and ice symbolize the two emotions of the humans – hatred and desire.

 

Theme:

The poem presents some of our self-destructing emotions, that may wipe out the human race completely if these emotions remain unchecked.  These emotions are represented by two natural objects: fire and ice. The fire is used for emotions such as hatred, aversion, hostility, whereas ice is used to represent emotions such as desire, coldness, apathy, etc. The poem tries to express that our most of the actions are controlled by these emotions and some of these actions are self-destructive. Therefore, these emotions may be the reasons for the world to come to its end.

 

Summary:

The poet says that there are two opinions that how this world will end. Some people think that the world will end in fire. As fire represent the emotion of hatred, hostility, etc., therefore, it implies that if we nurture these fiery hatred for our fellow beings then this is sufficient to destroy the humans from the earth. The poet further says that if at all, the world has to die twice then we have enough ‘icy desire’ to destroy the world. The poet wants to underline an idea that too much of our hatred for our fellow beings and too much of our desires for worldly things will lead us to a point where our very existence will be danger. The message from the poet that we can read between the lines is that we must control our hatred and desire and should be compassionate and contended in our lives so the human race may live in peace and harmony.

 

Poetic Devices

1. Rhyming scheme- abaa

                        abaca

2. Assonance- it is repetition of vowel sounds in same line. The repetition is at different places in different words.

Example- The long sound of “o” in “I hold with those who favour fire”

 

3. Alliteration- alliteration is the repetition of a consonant sound at the start of two or more closely placed words.

Example- The sound of “f” in “favour fire”, “w” in “world will”

 

 

5. Anaphora- the repetition of a word or expression at the start of two or more consecutive lines.

Example – “Some say” is repeated at the start of lines 1 and 2.

 

6. Personification- Personification is to give human qualities to inanimate objects. In this poem, “fire” and “ice” are capable of destruction. Thus, the poet personifies fire and ice by giving them mind and power to destroy anything.

 

7. Enjambment- it is defined as the thought or clause that does not come to an end at a line break, rather it moves over to the next line.

 

Example- “From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire” 

 

Additional Questions

Q1. According to the poet, what are the two different views that will end the world one day?

Q2. What does the fire symbolize in the poem? How will it destroy the world?

Q3. What could be the message that the poet wants to give to the world?

Q4. The poem states that fire and ice are the two destructive that may bring the world to its end. Can you think further trying to find the one who is the real cause to destroy the world, as fire and ice are not autogenic (self-generated)?

 

Q5. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice is also great

And would suffice.

 

(a)    What, according to the poet had to perish?

(b)   What the hate is enough for?

(c)    What does the ice represent in the poem?

(d)   Mention two words in the extract that have almost the same meaning.

(e)   Which word bears the same relationship to the third words, as the first two bear?

war: destroy:: hate and desire : ______________