X CLASS - CBSE

POEM FIRE AND ICE ENGLISH PART - 1

2
- Robert Frost
Form : Contrasting Lyric / Short Rhyming Poem
Theme : Life is full of binaries./ Death by fire is the purest death. / Man is ice to truth and fire
to falsehood.
Poem at a Glance :
� Robert Frost’s poem Fire and Ice is a strong symbolic poem where fire is used as the emotion of
desire and ice, that of hatred.
� He has used an idea of two groups who have their own possible
explanation for the end of the world.
� One is of the opinion that fire alone, can destroy each and every possibility of life
on Earth while the other thinks that if ice as a result of extreme low temperatures
could cover the earth’s surface, it would lead to the end of the world.
� Both the components are compared with self-destructing human emotions: desire and hatred. The
poet is originally of the opinion that he has been very closely associated with the “fiery desires”
and considers it capable of bringing human beings on the verge of destruction.
� Thus, he considers fire as more competent for destruction. But then he thinks that “icy hatred” is
just as capable of ruining humans, though slowly and steadily.
� Therefore, if Earth were to end twice, ice would be just as good as fire. If fire would lead to rapid
destruction, ice would lead to silent damage. Similarly, if fire is pure passion, ice is pure reason.
� Thus, the poem, very artistically, underpins the philosophy that we let our emotions rule us and if
don’t control them they will surely bring us all on the verge of chaos.
Central Idea of the Poem : The entire poem revolves around love, compassion, equality and simply
city. This alone can help mankind in establishing peace on the earth. Fire is compared to the dark
side of humanity i.e. lust and excessive desire leading to the cause of war. Hatred also leads to the
destruction of the world. Too much desire and too much coldness bring an end to the world. The
poet warns the human beings to have considerateness towards the fellow human beings.
Literary Devices:
Anaphora Some say, some say
It refers to the repetition of a word or ex-
pression in the first part of some verses.
Paradox Fire and Ice
A figures of speech in which a statement
appears to contradict itself.
Assonance I hold with those who favour fire (more no.
Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds of vowels)
in the same line
Alliteration some say, world will, favour fire
is the repetition of consonant sounds in the
same line

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Enjambment I think I know………would suffice. (con-

It is defined as a thought or clause that does tinuation of verse lines without any punc-
not come to an end at a line break; rather, it tuation mark.
moves over the next line.
Imagery whole poem is visual imagery
Imagery is used to make readers perceive
things involving their five senses.

Metaphor title Fire and Ice (Fire stands for passion

It compares two or more things by not us- and Ice stands for reluctance.)
ing the words like “like” or “as.”

Antithesis Fire is the antithesis of ice ( a person or

In antithesis, a striking opposition or con- thing that is direct opposite of the other)
trast of words is made in the same sentence
in order to secure emphasis.
Rhetorical how the world would come to an end?(un
A question to the reader already suggesting answerable / no answer)
the answer
Rhyming scheme aba, abc, bcb

Tone : The tone of the poem Fire and Ice is light and formal. It is declarative in nature.
Theme : Human perceptions of desire and hatred ness.
Glossary
hold : to take side, favour
suffice : be sufficient
favour : incline towards
perish : die or destroy
destruction : wiping out
Explanation
Stanza 1 Some say the world will end in fire From what I’ve tasted of desire
Some say in ice. I hold with those who favour fire.
In these lines, the poet analyses the views of the people and states that there can be two possible
causes for the end of the world.
On one side there are people who believe that the world will end because of fire. Here fire represents
the extreme desire, anger, greed etc present wither of human beings. On the other side, there are
people who favour ice. Here, ice represents the human emotions of hatred, intolerance etc. The poet
from his experience believes that the world will end with fire. Thus, the poet remain with those
people who favour fire. Both fire and ice stand in contrast in their qualities and they are opposite
to each other. But the poet symbolises these two elements for the destruction of the world.

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X CLASS - CBSE ENGLISH PART - 1

Stanza 2 But if it had to perish twice, Is also great

I think I know enough of hate And would suffice.
To say that for destruction ice
In these lines, the poet thinks that if the world had to end twice, ice would also be able to destroy
it completely. For the poet ice (hatred) is as powerful as fire (desire). In human beings, hatred is
long-lasting and it enters into their hearts. It remains through out the life. Thus, poet thinks that
ice or hatred will be sufficient to end the world. If the world has to be perished again, ice would be
equally sufficient.

MIND MAP

10. Ice is equally sufficient

to destruct the world 1. Destruction of the world

9. Fire and Ice indicate

2. Two different opinions
human vices

8. If the world has to 3. Either by Fire or by Ice

perish twice

7. Poet holds with who 4. Destructive elements

favours fire of nature personified

6. Experience of the poet 5. Passionate, highly reluctant

TEXTUAL EXERCISES

THINKING ABOUT THE POEM

1. There are many ideas about how the world will ‘end’. Do you think the world will end some
day? Have you ever thought what would happen if the Sun gets so hot that it ‘bursts’ or grows
colder and colder?
A. There are definitely many ideas about how the world will ‘end’. I do believe that the world will end
some day as anything that has a beginning will have an end. This stands true for the world also,
if the Sun got so hot that it burst, the whole of the Earth would perish immediately as no part of
the Earth can bear the heat of that intensity. But if the Sun grew colder and colder, everything will
come to an end as without sunlight, life will end. But if the Sun grew colder and colder, as a result
of decreasing temperature, mist would form and everything would become numb. Everything will
come to an end without sunlight. It leads to the destruction of the world.
2. For Frost, what do ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for? Here are some ideas.
A. ‘Fire’ stands for greed, avarice, lust, conflict and fury. ‘Ice’ stands for cruelty, intolerance, rigidity,
insensitivity, coldness, indifference and hatred.

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3. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? How does it help in bringing out the contrasting ideas
in the poem?
A. The rhyme scheme of the poem is- a b a a b c b c b
This rhyme scheme helps in bringing out the contrasting ideas of ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ presented in the
poem. The poet mentions that both fire and ice are probable ends of this world. He talks about how
fire represents desire and can therefore be a cause of the end of the world. Frost also mentions ice
in between to symbolise that the coldness and indifference towards each another will be enough to
end the world. In the second stanza, he says that he knows of enough hate in the world to be sure
that even destruction through ice would be sufficient to bring about the end of the world.

LITERATURE
Attempt the following.
1. What does the poet compare fire with? ( )
A. hatred B. desire C. hot D. both 1 and 3
2. Why do some people say that the world will end in ice? ( )
A. because love among people is increasing fast.
B. because hatred among people is increasing fast.
C. because lust among people is increasing fast.
D. None of the Above
3. The poem Fire and Ice outlines the familiar question about the fate of the ……….. ( )
A. machines B. world C. language D. sounds
4. The poem is a ……………., put across by the poet. ( )
A. powerful warning B. heart-felt apology
C. earnest appeal D. vengeful threat
5. Identify the most likely tone of the poet in the lines. ( )
‘To say that for destruction, ice is also great’.
A. sarcastic B. serious C. amused D. celebratory
6. What would be a better option to end the earth? ( )
A. fire B. ice
C. both are equally competent D. none
7. Name the poetic device used in the line “Some say the world will end in fire”. ( )
A. Metaphor B. Imagery C. Alliteration D. Oxymoron
8. What would suffice if the world were to perish twice? ( )
A. ice B. fire C. hatred D. both 1 and 2
9. What is the name of the poet, ‘Fire and Ice’? ( )
A. Sylvia Plath B. W.B Yeats C. Robert Frost D. Robert Burns
10. What is the rhyming scheme of the poem Fire and Ice? ( )
A. abaa bcbcb B. aaba bcbcb C. aaab bcbcb D. abab bcbcb

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EXTRACTS
Read the given extracts and answer the questions.
1. 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. (Fire and Ice)
I. Examine the portrayal of Ice in the given lines. Answer in about 40 words.
A.

II. Complete the following suitably.

The word ‘perish’ implies that the poet wants to convey………………. .
A.

III. What kind of picture is painted by the poet through the line, “And would suffice”.
A.

IV. What kind of atmosphere is created through these lines?

1. pleasant 2. alert 3. constructive
4. provocative 5. duplicative
A. Only 2 B. 1 & 3 C. 1 & 4 D. 4 & 5
A.

2. Some say the world will end in fire

Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire. (Fire and Ice)

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I. What is the most likely reason the poet chooses to say ‘From what I’ve tasted of desire’? Answer
in about 40 words.
A.

II. Fill in the blank with ONE word.

‘Some say the world will end in fire’ this version suggests an idea that is ……………………
A.

III. How does the poet reinforce the contrast between the different opinions expressed in the lines?
A.

IV. Select the option that applies the same rhyme scheme as the lines of the given extract.
A. Purple evening shines bright
Suffusing the pleasant mood
That applies to the heart straight
Wonderfully echoes afterlight

B. Twinkle twinkle little star

How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky

C. The woods are lovely dark and deep

But I have promises to keep
Miles to go before I sleep
Miles to go before I sleep

D. Morning dew, on grassy nest,

Awakens hope, in quiet rest,
New beginnings, pure and best,
Fresh horizons, meet the west
A.

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¾
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What are the two opinions discussed in the poem about the end of this world?
A. The two opinions are that this world will end either in fire or in ice.
2. What does ‘fire’ stand for in the poem? What does ‘ice’ stand for in the poem?
A. Fire stands for desire as it spreads very fast if remains uncontrolled. Ice stands for hatred as both
are same in nature, they make us insensitive and rigid.
3. How has Frost brought out the contrasting ideas in the poem?
A. ‘Desire’ propels us in hot pursuit of something, hence, it is compared with fire. ‘Hatred’ makes us
cold towards others feelings. The coldness of ice can numb our senses. Similarly, the coldness of
our hearts can numb our kindness. That is why ‘hatred’ has been compared with ice.
4. Write down the two different views about the end of the world?
A. There is a debate that is going on about the end of the world. People say that the world will end in
fire or in ice. World is transitory, nothing is perennial in this universe.
5. How does Robert Frost caution the common man?
A. Man is selfish, avaricious, lustful, indifferent and hateful. Robert Frost cautions the common man
and says that he should not forget the bitter reality that everything in this world is transitory and
death is inevitable.
6. Why does the poet hold with those who favour fire?
A. The poet takes side with those who believe that the world will be destroyed by fire. Frost connects
fire with desire. According to the poet, desire is powerful and would be a quick end. Moreover, the
fact that he has had personal experience with desire leads him to first conclude that the world will
end in fire.
7. Briefly write about the ideas about how the world will end.
A. The world will end as a direct result of either fire or ice. Some scientists believed that the world
would be incinerated from its fiery core, while others were convinced that the coming ice age would
destroy all living things on the Earth’s surface.
Frost introduces a more emotional side, associating desire with fire and hatred with ice. The poem,
thus, does not allow for any other opinions in the black and white debate between fire and ice.
8. To say that for destruction ice is also great for the poet, what does ‘ice’ stand for? How is it
sufficient to bring destruction?
A. ‘Ice’ symbolises hatred. Hate is just as powerful as desire. While desire consumes quickly, hate
can occur and linger in people’s minds and hearts for years and sometimes even lifetimes. Hate
consumers the hater perhaps even more than the person or group hated and it can ruin lives. Hate
can, thus, be very destructive and sufficient to bring destruction.
9. ‘But if it had to perish twice’. How will the world perish twice?
A. According to the poet, the world will end due to the ‘fire’, which symbolises desire. But if the world
had to end twice then it will be due to the hatred symbolised by ‘ice’. The poet feels that there is enough
hatred in the world that is spreading among the people. This hatred will end the world one day.

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LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Discuss how extreme behaviour can hasten the end of the world with respect to ‘Fire and Ice’.
A. ‘Fire’ symbolises desire and ‘Ice’ symbolises hatred. Desire is a kind of intense love or want that
makes people focus on getting and possessing and acquiring. Our society is full of people who
spend their lives working to get a bigger and better TV, a more stylish car or a more extravagant
house. This kind of desire can lead people to destruction in the form of bankruptcy or even broken
relationships. Frost’s poem speaks on the issue of greed corrupting people and even society. The
power of hate, which is symbolised by ice is just as great as desire. While desire consumes quickly
hate produces the feeling of shame yet restrained devastation. For instance, ‘Hatred’ is the root
cause of racism and war. It can linger in people’s mind for lifetimes. Moreover, it consumes the
hater even more than the person hated. It thus, ruins lives.
2. The poem Fire and Ice, carries with it very deep thematic ideas. Elaborate on these darkest
traits of humanity.
A. Frost presents the two of the darkest traits of humanity; the capacity to hate and the capacity of
having excessive desire. Of the two, he attributes the greater of the two evils, is desire. In giving
desire the foremost position with regard to the destruction of the world, Frost is providing a powerful
statement on the subject of greed and jealousy, saying that above all traits of humanity that is most
likely to lead to its demise. Desire represents the greatest problem that attributes to the cause of the
war. Fire attributes desire which has the ability of the destruction of the world. However, he lessens
the relative importance of hatred but still presents it as having the ability to lead to the destruction
of the world if it were to happen for a second time.
3. The poet presents two reasons which will lead to the destruction of the humanity. What values
do you garner from the two possible causes provided by him?
A. The poet provides and deals with two possible causes for the end of the world. He points more
towards the emotional and sentimental side of the issue. As for him, fire denotes deep passion
and burning desire, while ice is highlighted for its icy cold and hatred with regards to emotions.
He favours both the arguments and says that either the deep burning passion, the cold hatred and
jealousy will push the people to walk on the path of destruction. The poet is sure of this destruction
of humanity. He first talks about the destruction because of fire and in case this fails, then ice will
end the world. The love that people have for one another will turn into hatred. In race of climbing
up and outdo one another, people will tend to hate each other. These negative emotions will become
so strong that they will surpass all the love and lead to the destruction of humanity.
4. How will the world end? Support your answer with scientific explanation.
A. According to the scientists, the two reasons for the destruction of the world will be either fiery core
or the ice age. Some scientists believed that the world would be incinerated from its fiery core, while
others were convinced that a coming ice age would destroy all living things on the Earth’s surface.
In other words, either the deep heat or fire under the Earth beds will lead to natural calamities like
earthquakes and volcanoes caused by fire or melting of snow due to global warming will shrink
the world. As a result, one day the entire world will die of the icy water. Frost, thus, tries to warn
people against the two greatest problems faced by them for their human vices.

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