FIRE AND ICE BY ROBERT FROST

Fire and Ice BY ROBERT FROST

Lines: “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:

Explanation: This is a small poem written by Robert Frost. It is about a question that always occurred in people’s minds from time to time. The question is as to how the world would end.

    Robert Frost writes in this poem that some people say that the world would be consumed by fire. There are also some people who believe that the end of the world would be caused by ice. The poet adds that his experience of life says that the fire of passion dominates the world. People have lost control over their emotions of greed, anger and intolerance. There is always a danger of nuclear war in the world. That will surely destroy all.

Lines: “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: 1. Perish: get destroyed   2. Suffice: convince/ be sufficient

Explanation: The poet says that he is confident that there is enough hate in the world. He has experienced that human beings show a lot of insensitivity, indifference and hatred towards others. If he were to select between the two causes of the world’s destruction, he would favour the second. It would be great and convincing if the world ends up by ice.

Short Summary

    Fire and Ice is about two causes that might prove fatal for human race. Either of these two causes might destroy the whole world. The poet uses symbols of fire and ice as the causes of the world’s destruction. Fire stands for desire and emotions like greed, anger and intolerance. Ice stands for cruelty, intolerance, stubbornness, insensitivity, indifference and hatred. Both the causes would surely lead to the end of the whole world.

Questions & Answers

Q1. What for ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ in the poem ‘Fire and Ice’?

Ans. Fire stands for desire and emotions like greed, anger and intolerance.

Q2. Why do some people say that the world would end in fire?

Ans. Some  people hold the religious view that the world would end .

Q3. Why do some people say that the world would end in ice?

Ans. Some people hold the scientific view that the world would end by ice.

Q4. Describe the two symbols used in the poem Fire and Ice?

Ans. Fire symbolises  desire and emotions like greed, anger and intolerance. Ice symbolises cruelty, intolerance, stubbornness, insensitivity, indifference and hatred.

Q5. What is the main idea of the poem ‘Fire and Ice?

Ans. The poet seems to hint at two causes that would lead to the end of the world. The first cause of the world’s end might be desire. It is the very root of so many conflicts in the world. It leads to greed, anger and intolerance. It would further push the world towards destruction. Secondly, the poet might be thinking about the ice age. It would also prove destructive for the world. Human beings are responsible for both the causes of destruction of the world.

Q6. How will the world end by fire?

Ans. Growing materialism is the cause of desire. It further gives birth to passions like greed, anger and intolerance. These passions may become the cause of world war. In that case, the world would be destroyed.

Q7. How will the world end by hatred?

Ans. Hatred breeds intolerance, anger and cruelty. It causes insensitivity in human heart. All of these negative feelings might become the cause of nuclear war in the world. Tha would be the end of the world.

Q8. What does ‘ice’ symbolise?

Ans. Ice symbolises cruelty, intolerance, stubbornness, insensitivity, indifference and hatred.

Q9. What does ‘Fire’ symbolise?

Ans. Fire symbolises  desire and emotions like greed, anger and intolerance.