Fire and Ice Poem Introduction

Robert Frost’s poem “Fire and Ice” expresses the profound idea that the world would end in either of two ways, either by
ice or 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 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.

Fire and Ice Summary

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

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.

Word meanings
Desire- a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen
Favour- approval, support

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.

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.

Word meanings
Perish- die
Suffice- be sufficient

Then by not waving off the first option of fire, he considers if the world has to expire twice, ice would be equally competent
in ending it. He brings about a contrast between “ice” and “hatred”. The human capability of insensitivity and hatred
has the potential for inner destruction. Though slow and steady, it has the same effect that desire has on us. So if given an
option between fire and ice, ice would be just as good as fire to destroy the world.

Fire and Ice Literary devices

1. Rhyming scheme- Aba
abc
bcb

2. Assonance- it is repetition of vowel sounds in same line. The repetition is at different places in different words.
Example- The long sound of “o” in “I hold with those who favour fire”

3. Alliteration- alliteration is the repetition of a consonant sound at the start of two or more closely placed
words.
Example- The sound of “f” in “favour fire”, “w” in “world will”
4. Imagery- Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. Example- “Some say
the world will end in fire”
“To say that for destruction ice Is also great”

5. Anaphora- the repetition of a word or expression at the start of two or more consecutive lines.
Example – “Some say” is repeated at the start of lines 1 and 2.

6. Personification- Personification is to give human qualities to inanimate objects. In this poem, “fire” and “ice”
are capable of destruction. Thus, the poet personifies fire and ice by giving them mind and power to destroy
anything.

7. Enjambment- it is defined as the thought or clause that does not come to an end at a line break, rather it
moves over to the next line.
Example- “From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire”

Fire and Ice Question Answers

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 got so hot that it ‘burst’, or grew colder and colder?
A. Unfortunately, the world is going to end one day and there is nothing we can do about it. There are many ideas as to
how it will end but one can’t say surely. The reason that life exists only on Earth is that the circumstances and
temperature is apt to make it possible. If the sun gets so hot one day that it is at the verge of bursting, it would lead to
rapid destruction as there would be fire everywhere. Conversely, if it grows colder and colder, there will be ice everywhere
on Earth and life in any form would not be able to sustain at such low temperatures.

2. For Frost, what do ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for?

Here are some ideas:

greed
avarice
cruelty
lust
conflict
fury
intolerance
rigidity
insensitivity
coldness
indifference
hatred

A. According to Frost, ‘fire’ stands for greed, conflict, fury, cruelty, lust and avarice whereas ‘Ice’ stands for
insensitivity, coldness, intolerance, indifference, rigidity and hatred.

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 “aba abc bcb”. The poet has used the rhyming beautifully to bring about contrasting
ideas in the poem. He has used the ideas of two groups who believe that the world would come to a catastrophic end
either as a result of fire or ice. Simultaneously, he portrays these two essential components as features of destructive
human emotions: desire and hatred. Just like fiery desires and icy hatred can cause damage to an individual in an
irreparable manner, fire and ice can lead the world at the verge of chaos and thus, apocalypse.

Short Questions and Answers

Question 1 : For Frost, what do ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for?
Answer : The word ‘fire’ stands for desire. In the poem it indicates all types of greed and lust. In today’s world, mankind’s greed is
endangering the very existence of the planet Earth. The word ‘ice’ in the poem indicates hatred and indifference which is as cold as
‘ice’. Cold indifference and hate can be equally destructive.

Question 2 : How has Frost brought out the contrasting ideas in the poem?
Answer : ‘Desire’ propels (moves) us in hot pursuit of something, hence, it is compared with fire. ‘Hatred’ makes us cold towards
other’s 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.

Question 3 : Write down the two different views about the end of the world?
Answer : 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. The world
is transitory, nothing is perennial (permanent) in this universe.

Question 4 : How does Robert Frost cautions the common man?

Answer : Man is selfish, avaricious (greedy), 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 (can not be stopped).

Question 5 : Why does the poet hold with those who favour fire?
Answer : The poet takes side of those who believe that the world will be destroyed by fire. Frost connects fire with desire.
According to the poet, desire is powerful and can bring quick end. Moreover, the fact that he has had person experience with desire
leads him to first conclude that the world will end by fire.

Question 6 : Write the sum and substance of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’.
Answer : The crystal clear message that the poet is trying to give is that nothing in this world is eternal. The poet first concludes
that the world must end in fire after considering his personal experience with desire and passion, the emotions of fire. But at the same
time, ice or hatred can also bring total destruction of this world. We should thus, not forget this supreme reality and keep ourselves
able all selfish matters.

Question 7 : Briefly write about the ideas about how the world will end.
Answer : The world will end as a direct result of either fire or ice. Some scientists believe that the world would be incinerated
(destroyed) from its fiery core, while others were convinced that the coming ice age would destroy all living things on 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.

Question 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?
Answer : ‘Ice’ symbolises hatred. Hate is just as powerful as desire. While desire consumes quickly, hate can occur and linger
(stay) in people’s minds and hearts for years and sometimes even lifetimes. Hate consumes the haters 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.

Question 9 : ‘But if it had to perish twice’. How will the world perish twice?
Answer : 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.

Question 10 : Which age old question does the poem revolves around?
Answer : The poem revolves around the age old question of whether the world will end in fire or in ice. This is similar to another
age old question, whether it would be preferable to freeze to death or burn to death. The poet determines that either option would
achieve its purpose sufficiently well.

Long Questions and Answers

Question 1 : Discuss how extreme beahviour can hasten the end of the world with respect to ‘Fire and
Ice’.
Answer : ‘Fire’ symbolises desire and ‘Ice’ symbolises hatred. Desire is a kind of intense love or want that focuses people 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 shy yet restrained devastation. For
instance, hate 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 being hated. It thus, ruins lives.

Question 2 : The poem ‘Fire and Ice’, carried with it very deep thematic ideas. Elaborate on these
darkest traits of humanity.
Answer : Frost presents the two of the darkest traits of humanity; the capacity to hate and the capacity to be consumed by lust or
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 else,
desire is the trait of humanity that is most likely to lead to its demise. Desire represents the greatest problem that attributes to the
cause of the war. Frost then attributes hatred with the same capacity to do harm.
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.

Question 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?
Answer : 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 side of the emotions.
He favours both the arguments and says that either the deep burning passion or the cold hatred and jealousy factor 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 it will surpass all the love and lead to the destruction of humanity.

Question 4 : How will the world end? Support your answer with scientific explanation.
Answer : 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 (destroyed) 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 volcano eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis which will one day end the world, or the melting of ice
from the snowy mountains 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 being faced by humanity and the consequences of human vices
and increased effectiveness.