Lesson-1

By Robert Frost
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.
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.
Explanation
Stanza-1

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.
Desire- a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to
happen
Favour- approval, support
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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.
Stanza-2

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.
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.
Literary devices
Rhyming scheme- Aba, Abc, bcb
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”
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”
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”
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.

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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.
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 favour fire”
Question and 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?
Ans. 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 ▪ intolerance
▪ avarice ▪ rigidity
▪ cruelty ▪ insensitivity
▪ lust ▪ coldness
▪ conflict ▪ indifference
▪ fury ▪ hatred

Ans. 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?
Ans. 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.
MCQs
Q1- Who is the poet of the poem "Fire and Ice"?

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A) Leslie Norris C) Carolyn Wells
B) Robert Frost D) Robin Klein
Q2- What does the poet compare fire with?
A) hatred C) hot
B) desire D) both 1 and 3
Q3- What is the meaning of "perish"?
A) bloom C) die
B) rise D) glow
Q4- What would suffice if the world were to perish twice?
A) ice C) hatred
B) fire D) both 1 and 2
Q5- What would be a better option to end the earth?
A) fire C) both are equally competent
B) ice D) none
Q6- What is the rhyming scheme of the poem?
A) abaa bcbcb C) aaab bcbcb
B) aaba bcbcb D) abab bcbcb
Q7- Name the poetic device used in the line "I hold with those who favour fire".
A) Assonance C) None
B) Alliteration D) Both
Q8- Name the poetic device used in the line "Some say the world will end in fire".
A) Metaphor C) Alliteration
B) Imagery D) Oxymoron
Q9- Name the poetic device used in the line "To say that for destruction ice is also
great".
A) Metaphor C) Alliteration
B) Imagery D) Oxymoron
Q10- Where has he used personification?
A) fire C) earth
B) ice D) both 1 and 2
Q11-What is the name of the poet?
A) Sylvia Plath C) Robert Frost
B) W.B Yeats D) Robert Burns
Q12- Why do some people say that the world will end in ice?
A) because love among people is C) because lust among people is increasing
increasing fast. fast.
B) because hatred among people is D) None of the Above
increasing fast.
Q13-What is ‘Ice’ a symbol of?
A) Lust C) Desire
B) Love D) Hatred
Q14-What is ‘fire’ a symbol of?
A) love and new desires C) love and beginning of a new thing.
B) lust and endless desires D) Revolution
Q15-Where has he used personification?
A) fire C) earth
B) ice D) both 1 and 2
Q16-Name the poetic device used in the line “Some say the world will end in fire”.
A) Metaphor C) Alliteration
B) Imagery D) Oxymoron

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Q17- What would suffice if the world were to perish twice?
A) ice C) hatred
B) fire D) both 1 and 2
Q18-What does the poet compare fire with?
A) hatred C) hot
B) desire D) both 1 and 3
Q19-Name the poetic device used in the line “To say that for destruction ice is also
great”.
(A) Metaphor (C) Alliteration
(B) Imagery (D) Oxymoron
Q20-Choose the CORRECT statement about the given poem.
A) Fire and ice are images—they help the readers visualise the power of nature over man.
B) Fire and ice are symbols—not of natural disasters, but of humanity’s ability to create
disasters of its own.
C) Fire and ice are elements—not of Nature but man-made and possess the ability to create
havoc for mankind.
D) Fire and ice are agents—they change the thinking of mankind from negative to positive
and bring harmony.
Q21- Select the option that correctly classifies the connotations for fire and ice, as suggested
in the poem.
1. rage 2. Violence 3. Indifference 4. Hate 5. greed
a) Fire- 3,4; Ice- 1,2,5 c) Fire-1,3,5; Ice- 2, 4
b) Fire- 2, 5; Ice-1,3,4 d) Fire- 1,2,4; Ice- 3,5
Q22- The poem is a _________, put across by the poet.
A) powerful warning C) earnest appeal
B) heart-felt apology D) vengeful threat
Q23- Pick the option that is NOT TRUE about the poet according to the extract. The
poet
A) is inclined to believe that the world would most likely end with fire.
B) has heard divided opinions about the way the world would end in all likelihood.
C) preaches love and kindness to combat the spread of hate among all.
D) declares the power of ice to be as destructive as that of fire.
Q24- Identify the most likely tone of the poet in the lines- ‘To say that for destruction
ice/Is also great’.
A) sarcastic C) amused
B) serious D) celebratory
Q25- Why do some people say that the world will end in ice?
A) Because love among people is C) because lust among people is increasing
increasing fast fast
B) because hatred among people is D) None of the above
increasing fast

Answer
1 B 6 A 11 C 16 B 21 D
2 B 7 D 12 B 17 D 22 A
3 C 8 B 13 D 18 B 23 C
4 D 9 B 14 B 19 B 24 A
5 C 10 D 15 D 20 B 25 B

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