FIRE & ICE

SUMMARY
In this poem the poet tells us about the two possibilities by which the world will come to an
end. Some says that the world will end in fire. The poet says that he is in favour of those
people who say that the world will end in fire. This is because he has seen the effect and
result of uncontrolled and unending desires over the life of human beings. He finds that
human evil desires are similar to the fire in its nature. So, this fire of desire may become
someday a big reason for the destruction of the world.
On the other hand, the second belief in this regard says that ice is also equally efficient in the
destruction of the world. Here the poet compares the nature of ice with hatred and ignorance.
As ice can make the body numb with its prolonged contact, similarly the hatred can also give
the numbness to our mind and thoughts. Therefore, it can make us insensitive and cruel. Such
cruelty towards humanity can also bring the world to its end. The poet says that if the world
will be given another chance for destruction than it will surely due to ice like hatred. The
poem is revolving around the theme that human emotions have the power of destruction and
it has two forms; fire of desire and ice of hatred.
Central Idea of Poem
The central idea around which the entire poem revolves is that only love, equality, mutual
understanding and sympathy for one and all can help in establishing peace on the earth. The
poet mentions that both the ice and fire can bring probable end to this world. The poet talks
about how fire represents desire and can therefore be a cause of the end of the world. He also
mentions ice as a second issue to symbolise that the coldness and indifference towards on
another will also be enough to bring an end to this world. Too much fire and passion can
quickly consume a relationship, while cold indifference and hate can be equally destructive.

Poetic Devices Used in the Poem

Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds in the same line.
Some say the world will end in fire
Some say in ice
I hold those who favour fire

Paradox: A true statement but which seems untrue.

 But if it had to perish twice
Symbolism
 Fire – a symbol of desire
 Ice – a symbol of hate
Imagery: A figure of speech where an object, person or situation has another meaning other
than its literal meaning.
 Fire and ice carry deep connotations.
 Fire elicits the feeling of heat and light, but also burning and pain.
 Ice elicits the feeling of coldness, but also indifference and intolerance.

Rhyme Scheme: Abaa bcbcb

Personification – Personification is to give human qualities to inanimate objects. In this
poem, ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ are capable of destructions. 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’
Word Meanings
desire: wish
hold: to take side, favour
favour : incline towards
perish : die
suffice : be sufficient
destruction : wiping out,

Extract Based Questions

Read the following extracts carefully and choose the correct option.
Question 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.

(i) Name the poem and the poet.

(ii) What are the two destructive forces?
(iii) What do they stand for?
(iv) What does he favour?

Answer:
(i) These lines have been taken from the poem ‘Fire and Ice’ composed by Robert Frost.
(ii) ‘Fire’ and ‘Ice’ are two destructive forces according to the poet.
(iii) ‘Fire’ stands for ‘desire’ and ‘Ice’ stands for ‘hatred’.
(iv) Robert Frost supports the view that fire would cause the destruction of the world.

Question 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.

(i) What does ‘Ice’ stand for?

(ii) What does the poet believe?
(iii) What is the other destructive force?
(iv) Find a word in these lines that means opposite to ‘creation’.
Answer:
(i) Ice stands for hatred in this poem.
(ii) Robert Frost believes that Ice is equally destructive and can destroy the world.
(iii) Fire is another destructive force.
(iv) ‘Destruction’.
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 (cannot 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 behaviour 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.