Fire and Ice
Theme of the Poem
The destructive power of human desire and the inevitable end of the world brought on by either fire
(passion/desire) or ice (hatred/indifference) are the themes of Robert Frost’s poem “Fire and Ice.” The poem
examines the possibility that either extreme emotion or total indifference could bring about the end of the
world.
Fire and Ice Summary
Robert Frost’s poem “Fire and Ice” is a strong symbolic poem where the fire is used as the 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
original 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 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 don’t control
them they will surely bring us all on the verge of chaos.
Fire and Ice Poem Explanation
The poem expresses the profound idea that the world would end in either of two ways, either by ice or fire.
One group is of the opinion that someday the Earth’s core will get so heated up that it would lead to fire
destroying the earth’s surface. On the other hand, the second group says that if the temperature goes down to
an extent that makes life on Earth impossible, it would have the same catastrophic effect. The poet then
compares fire and ice with the destructive features of human emotions; desire and hatred. He says that from
what he is aware about “fiery desires”, he would favour the ones who say that it would be fire. By saying so,
he brings about the idea that human beings let their emotions rule them and the consequence of unmonitored
longing is chaos.
The poem expresses the profound idea that the world would end in either of two ways, either by ice or fire.
One group is of the opinion that someday the Earth’s core will get so heated up that it would lead to fire
destroying the earth’s surface. On the other hand, the second group says that if the temperature goes down to
an extent that makes life on Earth impossible, it would have the same catastrophic effect. The poet then
compares fire and ice with the destructive features of human emotions; desire and hatred. He says that from
what he is aware about “fiery desires”, he would favour the ones who say that it would be fire. By saying so,
he brings about the idea that human beings let their emotions rule them and the consequence of unmonitored
longing is chaos.
