FIRE AND ICE

By- Robert Frost

Central Idea Of the Poem:

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.
The central idea around which the entire poem revolves is that only love, equality, mutual
understanding and sympathy for one and all can help in establishing peace on the Earth. The
poet mentions that both fire and ice are probable ends of this world. While he talks about
how fire represents greed and desire and can, therefore, be a cause of the end of the world,
he also mentions ice to symbolize that the coldness and indifference towards one another
will also be enough to end the world.

Literary Devices in “Fire and Ice”

1. 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”.
2. 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”.
3. 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”.
4. 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.
5. 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.”
6. 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 is capable of destroying almost anything.
7. 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.”
 Q/A

1.What do people think about the end of the world? Who does the poet side with and
why?

Ans 1. People are divided over the cause of end of this world. Some people think ‘fire’ which
symbolises unbridled passions ,desires and fury will destroy this world. Others believe that
ice which symbolises cold reasoning , indifferences and hatred will be the cause of
destruction.The poet sides with those who believe that fire will destroy the world as he has
experienced the effect of desires and fury.

2. How does the poet know enough of hate? Where will this hate lead to?

Ans 2. Icy or cold reasoning can lead to rigidity , indifference and insensitiveness . This can
take away all human warmth and feelings of love and sympathy. The result can be
disastrous. Hatred born out of such indifference can destroy the world.

3. What do the metaphors ‘ Fire and Ice’ convey to the readers? Don’t they represent
the two extremes of human behaviour? What is the message that the poet wants to
give to the readers?

Ans. 3.The poet has spoken about the universal issue of the ending of our existing world. He
gives a message as well as warning to the human beings. Man is swaying between two
extremes of fire and ice. Sometimes he is torn by unbridled passions, desire and fury. The
result is the fire of greed and avarice. All such extremes can lead to unavoidable conflicts
and disasters . If not controlled they can lead to end of the world.

The other extreme behaviour of human beings is born out of cold and icy reasoning .
Whenever reasoning becomes completely devoid of human warmth ,feelings, love and
sympathy, it breeds hatred. This hatred born out of indifference and insensitivity can be
strong enough to cause the world to end. Humanity is the only way to redeem the world and
delay the eventual end.

Reference to Context

“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 has to perish twice?

Ans a)The world has to perish twice , once through fire and then through ice.
b) What does the poet know enough?

Ans b)The poet knows that there is enough hatred in the world.

c) What is also great for destruction?

Ans c) Hatred born out of icy reasoning and indifference is also great for destruction

. d) What does ice symbolise in these lines?

Ans d) Ice symbolises cold reasoning devoid of human warmth and feelings.
d)