Revision - Fire and Ice

The poet is very much sure of the destruction of humanity someday. He is talking about the
two different beliefs regarding the end of this world. These are on the basis of the sayings of
the people. The poet says that he is in favour of those people who say this world will end in
fire. This is because he has seen the effect and result of uncontrolled and unending desires
over the life of human beings. He finds that human evil desires are similar to the fire in its
nature. So this fire may become a big reason to destroy humankind and this world too.

On the other hand, the second belief in this regard says that ice is also sufficient for
destroying this world. Here the poet compares the nature of ice with hatred feelings of
humans with the other humans. As ice can make the body numb with its prolonged contact,
similarly hatred can also numb our mind and thoughts. And hence it can make us insensitive
and cruel. Such cruelty towards humanity will be more responsible for the destruction of the
world compared to the desire.

The speaker brings us all into the middle of the argument between two different categories of
the people. One who thinks that the world will come to a fiery end and other people who
think the world will freeze resulting in the end. Poet is possibly talking about the literal end of
the world. But he is also talking about the power that human beings have to destroy each
other.

The poet experiences the romantic desire that he has taught the passion for emotions like
love and lust. These will probably have the power to turn the earth into a big fireball. But he
has also experienced the other extreme side. This is about colder emotions like hate which
have great destructive power. It is a common fact that love gets all the publicity, whereas
hate is the silent killer. It may not have the same effect as the fireball ending, but it will do the
trick.

Ephemeral: lasting for a very short period of time

The poem reflects on the ephemeral nature of human emotions and their potential to cause
destruction. Both fire (desire) and ice (hate) are transient yet powerful forces.
Dichotomy: Frost presents a dichotomy between fire and ice, symbolising the opposing
forces of desire and hatred that can lead to the world’s end.

Cataclysmic: (of a natural event) large-scale and violent, disastrous

The poem contemplates cataclysmic events, suggesting that both intense desire and
profound hatred have the capacity to bring about apocalyptic destruction.

Metaphysical: highly abstract and overly theoretical

"meta-" (beyond) to the base "physical" (nature), a near synonym to the Latinate word
"supernatural."
Frost’s use of fire and ice extends beyond the literal, delving into the metaphysical realm to
explore deeper human emotions and their consequences.

Inevitability: the fact that it is certain to happen and cannot be prevented or avoided
The poem conveys a sense of inevitability regarding the destructive power of human
emotions, whether through the burning passion of desire or the freezing indifference of hate.
Juxtaposition: the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting
effect
The juxtaposition of fire and ice highlights the contrasting yet equally destructive nature of
these emotions.

Pondering: think about (something) carefully, especially before making a decision or

reaching a conclusion
Frost’s poem raises existential questions about the nature of human emotions and their
impact on the world, pondering whether desire or hatred will ultimately prevail.

Ambivalence: the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or
someone
The speaker’s ambivalence towards the end of the world, acknowledging both fire and ice as
sufficient means of destruction, adds complexity to the poem’s message.

Allegorical: containing a moral or hidden meaning

“Fire and Ice” can be read as an allegorical representation of the destructive potential of
unchecked emotions, using elemental imagery to convey broader themes.

Paradoxical: something with two meanings that don't make sense together, seemingly
absurd or self-contradictory
The poem’s paradoxical nature lies in its assertion that both fire and ice, despite their
opposing qualities, can lead to the same outcome—destruction.

What do people think about the end of the world? Who does the poet side with and
why?
Answer: People are divided over the cause of the end of this world. Some people think that
‘fire’ symbolised by unbridled passions, desires and fury will destroy this world. Others
believe that ‘ice’ symbolised by cold reasoning, indifference and hatred will be the cause of
destruction. The poet sides with those who believe that ‘fire’ or unbridled passions and
desires will result in the destruction of the world.

Why does the poet say, ‘I’ve tasted of desire/I hold with those who favour fire?
Answer: The poet is familiar with the fire of passions and desires in love. He knows quite
well that our uncontrolled desires, passions and fury lead to our destruction. Similarly, he
sides with those people who believe that ‘fire’ symbolised by unbridled passions and desires
will be the real cause of the end of the world.

What will be the cause of the end of the world if it has to perish twice?
Answer: This world is not eternal. Its end is certain. The poet sides with those people who
think that ‘fire’ will cause the end of the existing world. But if this world has to perish twice
the ‘ice’ is as strong to bring the end of the world as ‘fire’ is. Icy reasoning devoid of human
love and sympathy and hatred is sufficient to bring an end to this world.
How does the poet ‘know enough of hate’? Where will this ‘hate’ lead to?
Answer: ‘Icy’ or cold reasoning can lead to rigidity, indifference and insensitiveness. This can
take away all warmth of human feelings, love and sympathy. The result can be disastrous.
‘Hatred’ born out of cold and ‘Icy’ reasoning can lead to the destruction of the world.

How will ‘ice’ be as ‘great’ and ‘suffice’ for causing the end of this existing world? Do
you agree with the poet?
Answer: There is no need for ‘fire’ to destroy the world. Even ‘ice’ is sufficient and ‘strong’
enough to cause the destruction of this world. If this world has to ‘perish twice’, then there is
no need for fire to destroy it twice. ‘Ice’ is as ‘strong’ and ‘great’ a cause that can cause the
end of this world.

What is the message of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’?

Answer: The metaphors of ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ are used very effectively to convey a definite
message to the readers. ‘Fire’ here stands for our unbridled, uncontrolled and unchecked
passions, desires, lust and fury. Such passions are disastrous for human beings. Similarly
cold reasoning devoid of all human warmth, love, sympathy will bring insensitivity, cruelty
and rigidity. This hatred will lead to the end of this world.

How does the poem depict the two contrasting ideas— ‘Fire’ and ‘Ice’? Can hatred
destroy us and the world? Explain bringing out values which can make this world a
better place to live in.
Answer: In this poem, Robert Frost refers to two contrasting ideas—Fire and Ice as
predictions of how the world will end. According to him, some people say that the world will
end in a fire while some others hold that this will end in ice. The poet equates desire with fire
and hatred with ice. Both desire and hatred are growing with such a rapid speed that the
world will come to an end either of the ways.Yes, hatred can destroy us and the world.
Intolerance in behaviour creates hatred that leads to fury and cruelty. One becomes
hard-hearted and insensitive to the feelings of others. Love, brotherhood, tolerance, peace,
contentment, sensitivity, benevolence, and generosity among people can make this world a
better place to live in.

There are many ideas about how this world will come to an ‘end’. What are they? Do
you agree with the poet and his understanding of the poet and his understanding of
the issue in this regard?
Answer: Almost all think that this world will end at one time or the other. It is true that
everything that has a beginning or origin will come to an end too. There are many ideas
about how this world will come to an end. Some think that ‘fire’ will be the cause of the ‘end’
of the world. Others believe that ‘ice’ will bring the end of the world. Both of these ideas have
their valid reasons. The poet sides and stands with those who believe that ‘fire’ will be the
cause of the ‘end’. The poet is well aware of how the ‘fire’ of unbridled passions, desires,
lust, and fury can lead to the destruction of humanity and the world. But the other view is
equally convincing. Cold and ‘icy’ reasoning can create insensitivity, rigidity, frigidity, and
indifference in man. Ultimately, it breeds ‘hatred’ and contempt. This kind of ‘icy’ reasoning
which is devoid of all human warmth, sympathy, love, and understanding will only bring
destruction and death to this world. I believe that both ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ have strong potential to
bring disasters and destruction to the world.