JUBILEE HILLS PUBLIC SCHOOL

CLASS X A (2022-23)
HOMEWORK

DATE: 21.4.2022 – THURSDAY

Period 1: ENGLISH: Complete the given work

FOR REFERENCE ONLY

POETRY: FIRE & ICE - BY ROBERT FROST

CENTRAL IDEA
Ostensibly, the poem "Fire and Ice" by Robert Frost is about the hypothetical end of the
world, with the speaker asserting that it will be destroyed either by fire or by ice. One could
argue, though, that the central idea of this poem is that fire and ice are equally destructive, in
their own ways.
We can also look at what fire and ice represent within this poem:
The speaker says he "holds with those that favor fire" because of "what I've tasted of desire."
Fire, then, here represents burning passion; meanwhile, ice is, in his view, also sufficiently
destructive to destroy the world, a view he bases on knowing "enough of hate." So, if hate and
passion are both extremely destructive forces, we might infer that what seem to be, at first,
polar opposites (fire and ice) are actually far more similar than they are different. It does not
matter how a thing is destroyed; it only matters that it is destroyed.
Ice works differently from fire in this „end of the world‟ prediction. Human destruction doesn‟t
have to be bright, noisy, and violent—hate can spread in more subtle ways. Ice has
connotations of coldness and indifference, and so a possible reading here is that the end of
the world could be brought about by inaction rather than some singular major event

In just nine short lines, then, “Fire and Ice” offers a powerful warning about human nature
that would lead to the inevitable doom of the world.

Analysis of Literary Devices in “Fire and Ice”

Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line such as the long
sound of /o/ in “I hold with those who favor fire”.
Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line such as the
sound of /f/ in “I hold with those who favor fire”.
Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. For
example, “Some say the world will end in fire” and “To say that for destruction ice, is also
great”.
Symbolism: Symbolism is a use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities, by giving them
symbolic meanings different from their literal meanings. “Fire” is the symbol of desires and
“Ice” symbolizes hatred. Similarly, “green” and “gold” are the symbol of beauty and happiness.
Anaphora: It refers to the repetition of a word or expression in the first part of some verses.
For example,
“Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.”
Personification: Personification is to give human qualities to inanimate objects. In this poem,
“Fire” and “Ice” are capable of destruction. Therefore, the poet personifies fire and ice by
giving them a mind which can destroy almost anything.
Enjambment: It is defined as a thought or clause that does not come to an end at a line
break; rather, it moves over the next line. For example,
“From what I‟ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.”
 TO BE DONE IN THE NOTEBOOK
Answer the given questions

a) The tone of the speaker contrasts with the seriousness of the subject matter. Justify.
b) Fire and Ice projects a pessimistic outlook. Comment.
c) The poem „Fire and Ice‟, carried with it very deep thematic ideas. Elaborate on these
darkest traits of humanity.

PORTFOLIO ACTIVITY – To be done on an A4 sheet (back-to-back)

Robert Frost’s Fact Card – Quick Facts about Frost

Collage – His famous literary works

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FIRST FLIGHT POETRY: DUST OF SNOW - BY ROBERT FROST

FOR REFERENCE ONLY

CENTRAL IDEA OF THE POEM:

„The Dust of Snow‟ by Robert Frost is a small and simple poem with a deep meaning. It
expresses the significance of small things in changing one‟s attitude. The poem explains that
the little things in life can make huge changes in our future. It also reflects that hard times in
the life will lead to the happier times if we can persist through them.

COMPREHENSION AND APPRECIATION

STANZA 1:
The poet, Robert Frost, recounts a small incident that changes his mood. It seems very simple
but it has a great significance. The poet was, once, very depressed and hopeless. He was in a
state of sorrow and was lost in his thoughts. He was standing under the hemlock tree.
Suddenly a crow that was sitting on the tree shook the tree and the fine particles of snow
from the tree fell on the poet.
STANZA 2:
When the soft and cold snow fell on the poet, it changed his mood from a state of gloom to
happiness. He started feeling soothed (peaceful) and refreshed. This simple incident helped
him enjoy the remaining part of the day. He, thus, became happy as it saved his rest of the
day from being wasted and saved him from regret.

POETIC DEVICES USED IN THE POEM:

 Rhyme scheme:
 Each of the two stanzas in “Dust of Snow” follows the same simple rhyme scheme,
that is, ABAB.

 Metaphor: This rhetorical device is used when a covert comparison is made between
two different things or ideas. In this poem, the poet uses the device of metaphor in the
3rd line of the 1st stanza when he compares the mass of snowflakes atop the hemlock
tree with dust.

 Synecdoche: This rhetorical device is used in many ways to represent one thing with
the help of an entirely different one. In this poem, the poet uses the device of
synecdoche by way of using a part to represent the whole in the 1st line of the
2nd stanza. He says that his “heart” has undergone a change of mood because the
crow has made the snowflakes from the hemlock tree rain down on him. However, it is
not only his heart, but his entire person that is now experiencing a better mood
because of the actions of the crow.

 Symbolism: Hemlock tree, crow

  Irony: A contrast between reality and expectation, between what is said and what is
meant, between what appears to be true and the truth. Rue is also a plant cultivated
for its medicinal use. There is a bit of irony here that the poet refers to the poisonous
Hemlock and the medicinal Rue.

(To be done in the Notebook)

I. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow:
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree

(a) Where was the crow?

(b) What did it shake on the poet?
(c) What are the „crow‟ and „hemlock tree‟ symbolic of?

Has given my heart

A change of mood
And saved some part
of a day I had rued.

a) What change does the poet mention here?

b) What is the poet‟s state of mind?
c) What is the rhyme scheme of the passage?

II. Answer the following questions in 80 – 100 words:

1. No matter how ordinary or unimportant an incident may be, it‟s the reaction or the
response that matters. Taking inspiration from the poet‟s reaction, write how inherent
values can be picked up and learnt. Mention any two lessons for students like you
that could be useful. (Dust of Snow)

2. How many symbols do you find in this poem? What is the purpose of using those
symbols?

III. Textual Questions (Thinking about the Poem) Pg.14.

Questions 1 to 3

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Period 2: HINDI: Nil

TELUGU: Read the lesson – Danasheelamu

Period 3: MATH: Solve Ex. 3.5, 1(i), (ii) (iii) & (iv) using substitution or
elimination method (in case of unique solution)

Period 4: COMPUTER/IT: Revise the topics discussed in the class

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