Fire and Ice

1.0About the Poet

Robert Frost was born in San Francisco, but his family moved to Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1884 following his father's death. The move was actually a return, for Frost's ancestors were originally New Englanders, and Frost became famous for his poetry's engagement with New England locales, identities, and themes.

Born: March 26,1874 Died: January 29,1963 Title: Poet Laureate (1956-1959) Awards and Honours: Pulitzer Prize, Bollingen Prize Notable Works: Mending wall, stopping by woods on a snowy evening, The road not taken etc.

2.0Central Idea

Robert Frost's poem 'Fire and Ice' expresses the profound idea that the world will end in either of the two ways, by ice or by fire. Both the components are compared with self-destructing human emotions: hatred and desire. The poem, very artistically, underpins the philosophy that we let our emotions rule us and if we don't control them, they will surely destroy everything around us. Similarly, he thinks fire and ice, both are just as competent in bringing the world to a catastrophic end.

3.0The End of The World-A Paradox

'Fire and Ice' is a strong symbolic poem where the fire is used as emotion of desire and ice, that of hatred. He has used the 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 extremely 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 consider 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 was to end twice, ice would be just as good as fire. If a fire would lead to rapid destruction, ice would lead to silent damage. Similarly, if the 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 we don't control them, they will surely bring us all on the verge of chaos.

4.0Poetic devices used in this poem

(1) Assonance : Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line. Example - The long sound of /o/ in 'I hold with those who favour fire'.

(2) Alliteration : Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line. Example - The sound of /f/in 'I hold with those who favour fire'.

(3) Imagery : Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. 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. Example - '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. 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. Example - 'From what I've tasted of desire I hold with those who favour fire'.

5.0Recall

• This short poem by Robert Frost is very meaningful and has very serious context with respect to the fate of the world. The author is analyzing about the end of the world. It is for sure that this world along with all its creatures will be coming to an end.
• The poet provides and deals with two possible causes for the end of the world.
• Both the reasons contrast each other. The two alternatives, which will, anyway become the reason for destructions are fire and ice. Frost says that there is a never ending debate for which one of the two - fire and ice will probably become the possible reason for the destruction of this entire world and the humanity.
• On one side of the debate are people who are in favour of fire, that is, it will be the heat and the passion which will lead the humanity, the world to end. On the other side of the debate are those who favour ice and feel that it will be the 'ice' which will freeze the world. This can also be understood from a scientific meaning whereby the scientists analyzed the two reasons for the destruction of the world is either the fiery core or the ice age.