Fire and Ice
Robert Frost
Central Idea of the Poem
`Fire and Ice’, is an extremely compact little lyric. Not a syllable is
wasted. The theme of the poem is the age-old question. The question is
whether the world will end in fire or in ice. The poet decides that any of
the two options would achieve its purpose sufficiently well. The poet
shares the common belief that everything that exists will have its end
too. People are divided on this issue. Some think that the natural
element of fire will cause the destruction of this world. Others believe
that ice will be the cause of the end. Putting in terms of human emotions,
the element of ‘fire’ stands for passions, desires and love. Unbridled
passions and desires can cause the end of the world. The poet has
experienced both these emotions. It doesn’t matter how the world will
end. Even hate born out of cold and icy reason is sufficient to cause
destruction and the end of the world.
1. According to the poet, what does ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ represent? Do
you agree with him?
Answer: According to the poet, ‘fire’ represents desire and ‘ice’
represents hatred. I do agree with the poet. Desires like fire spread
rapidly and engulf one’s whole life. Similarly ‘hatred’ fills the whole life
with poison. It makes one hard-hearted and cruel.
2. 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.
3. 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 it quite well that are 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 with be
the real cause of the end of the world.
4. To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
In the poem what does ‘ice’ stand for? How is it sufficient to
bring destruction?
Answer: ‘Ice’ stands for ‘hatred’. Hatred may be religious, communal or
of any other type. According to the poet, there is enough hatred in the
world which will destroy the external, physical world one day.
5. . 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.
Ans. (i) 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 to 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 the desire and hatred are growing with such a rapid speed that the
world will come to an end either of the ways.
(ii) 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.
(iii) Love, brotherhood, tolerance, peace, contentment, sensitivity,
benevolence, generosity among people can make this world a better
place to live in.
6. 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?
Ans. 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 insensitiveness, 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 of this world.
I believe that both ‘fire’ and ‘ice
7. What do the metaphors of ‘ice’ and ‘fire’ convey to the
readers? Don’t they represent the two extremes of human
behaviour that can lead to the destruction and death of this
world? What is the message that the poet wants to give to the
readers?
Ans. The poet has touched the universal issue of the ending of this
existing world. He gives a message as well as a warning to human
beings. Man is swaying between two extremes — ‘fire’ and ‘ice’.
Sometimes he is torn by his unbridled fire of passions, desires, lusts,
longings and fury. This results in greed, avarice and passionate love. All
such extremes can lead to unavoidable conflicts and disasters. If not
controlled, they can help in bringing an early end of this world.
The other extreme behaviour of human beings is born out of cold and
‘icy’ reasoning. When our cold reasoning becomes completely devoid of
human warmth, feelings, love and sympathy, it breeds hatred. Hatred
born out of cold indifference, insensitivity and rigidity are strong enough
to cause the end of this world. Humanity can redeem itself and possibly
save or delay the end of the world by giving up such extremes of thinking
and behaviour.
