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Fire and Ice

Robert Frost's poem 'Fire and Ice' symbolizes desire as fire and hatred as ice, presenting two perspectives on the potential end of the world. The poem explores how both emotions can lead to destruction, with fire representing rapid chaos and ice signifying slow deterioration. Through various literary devices, Frost emphasizes the importance of controlling our emotions to prevent chaos and destruction.

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13 views1 page

Fire and Ice

Robert Frost's poem 'Fire and Ice' symbolizes desire as fire and hatred as ice, presenting two perspectives on the potential end of the world. The poem explores how both emotions can lead to destruction, with fire representing rapid chaos and ice signifying slow deterioration. Through various literary devices, Frost emphasizes the importance of controlling our emotions to prevent chaos and destruction.

Uploaded by

muthunamo2020
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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FIRE AND ICE

Summary
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 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 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 was 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.
Literary devices
1. Rhyme 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 favor
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 “favor 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. 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.
6. 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”

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