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A Literary Analysis of The Poems Fire and Ice & A Question Part 2
A Literary Analysis of The Poems Fire and Ice & A Question Part 2
Chapter 1
Introduction
The following chapter introduces the main perspective of the current study, along with
a brief description of the keywords and terminologies involved within the thesis.
1.1. Language
spoken, written and manually used by human beings to communicate and express themselves.
According to Henry Sweet, an English language scholar, language is the tool by which ideas
are expressed using speech sounds and ultimately turning them into words and sentences.
Language is the ability of human beings to communicate by using the complex system which
is developed from different signs, codes, symbols, letters and words. The language is the real
and our plans into concrete shape which is visible or discernable for other people around us.
communicating ideas, emotions and desires by means of voluntarily produced symbols. This
definition is however disagreed by (John Lyons, 1981) but it can be understood by the
definition that language is a definitive set of words and utterances that conveys messages.
However, it can be contested that language is purely a human character since animals also
communicate among themselves using a high pitched sound that is not heard and detected by
human ears. The notion of desires, emotions and ideas are true since most of the human
symbols by means of which a social group co-operates. This definition of language is brief
yet it professes that language is something limited to spoken words and sentences. It declared
language as a system but perhaps failed to describe it in a more detailed and structured
manner.
According to (Trask & Stockwell, 2007) accent is the particular and specific way by
which a group of people pronounce and speak a language. Almost every language apart from
some few people has diversity in terms of geographic, regional and societal differences. The
distinctive manner in which different people speak the same language is due to ethnic settings
as well. The diversity of the accent can be noticed in the United States where the accent of the
Southern people is quite different from the accent of people living in Eastern and Western
America.
The language still at large considered being the mode of communication and
expression, however, according to (Michael Toolan, 1998) language also very important to be
used as literary texts. The focus of the text may include poems, short stories, extracts from
novels, advertisements, childrens writing, etc. One can understand that the language plays a
decisive role in the lives of societies and nations. It is the basis of literature which acts as the
There are many types of English language according to Quizlet (2016, October 16)
Archaic language:
o It has become obsolete but is used occasionally to reflect the old-fashion.
Colloquial language:
o It is the use of common language.
Figurative language:
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o The use of figurative language is all about metaphorical, and not the literal
meanings.
Formal language:
o It is about the technical use of language.
Subjective language:
o It is about the use of language overshadowed by bias and emotion.
Objective language:
o It is aimed to express opinion by remaining neutral and unbiased.
Informal language:
o It is pretty much relaxed language and most used informally.
Jargon:
o It is the language in which special vocabulary is used by particular group.
Literal language:
o It is about the use of language in its most basic meanings.
Vernacular language:
o It is the use of native language or dialect.
Pidgin:
o It is the simplified language which is actually the result of people from
had a very much common use of language. Some analysts believe that Frost confused his
readers by his use of native language instead of a formal or strictly proper language. His style
was dominated by setting the traditional meters against the natural rhythms of speech. His
language was completely vernacular and he refrained from the use of artificial poetic diction
According to (Winters, 1957) has criticized Frost in his book The Function of
Criticism that Frosts style was pretty much close to conversation. While apart from the
critique of Winters, one can argue that perhaps Frost was a poet of a common man who
wanted to tear his heart open for his readers and aimed to address common folks to deliver
In the poem, Fire and Ice, Frost has used simple yet convincing words to describe the
end of the planet earth. It seemed that he was skeptical of human intentions and the element
For instance, if one looks at the poem Fire and Ice; then it would reveal that the poem
has two lengths of lines and three rhymes in it. Each line has four or eight syllables. The
language as mentioned earlier is pretty much easy to understand but delivers a pivotal
message. The question raised by the poet is directly related to death. His assertion was a
comparison between fire and ice and the choice of human beings to use either of them to die.
Perhaps Frost tried to indicate fire as weapons and ice as the diplomatic means and the use of
According to Faggen (2008) Frost has used figurative language in his poems Fire
and Ice and A Question. He has used imagery by employing the ideas of fire and ice. By
fire he tried to represent light but with it he also represented fire for destruction. Ice, where
represents peace, it also reflects stagnation and death as well. Frost developed unique style in
his poetry. His many poems are overshadowed by humour coupled with the use of irony and
mockery. He told and expressed many deep things with a great digestible style that readers
found it simple. But in fact, he used simple words to discuss great life and social phenomena.
According to Faggen, (2008) Robert Frost poetry revolved around three major
concerns. First, he emphasized sound in poetry and especially he called it sound of sense.
Second, He emphasized upon figurative language by using metaphors to express the complete
idea or thought. Third, Frost maintained a complete native and vernacular rural landscape in
his poetry. Thus, he was able to draw a difference of thinking process between rural and
urban settings. Since evolution, man needed a mode of communication in order to express
his/her emotions and inner thoughts to one another. This desire to communicate and converse
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structured and conventional way. The system of words and signs which man used to
communicate and express his/her thoughts and feelings to one another is known as language.
1.2. Linguistics
analysis of language and anyone who engages in this study is known as a linguist. With the
study of relationship between language and society,linguists have defined language in many
different ways, including the exploration of syntax, grammar and phonetics. Like many other
sciences, Linguistics has pure and applied sides. The pure aspect covers theories and analysis
of language at different levels. The applied side is concerned with the application of
John Lyons (1981) argues that linguistics in the study of language that is
fundamentally based upon scientific methods and practices. It is the study of language and
investigates that how the language faculty of the mind works and in what ways language
itself works. According to Laura Wright and Jonathan Hope (1995), linguistics differentiates
between words those have grammatical function and those words which have referential
meaning. It has named one as closed class words and the other as open class words.
Language from a general point of view and from a scientific stand point can be
studied and understood. The scientific method gives an advantage in terms of in-depth
analysis supported by logic and evidence that has two fold effects. One, that the
understanding becomes reason-based. Second, the analytical skill enables a person to process
According to Paul Skandera and Peter Burleigh (2011) there exists a constant struggle
between prescriptivism and descriptivism. The advocates of prescriptivism rely on the works
and rules established by Greek and Latin in explaining the origin of words. They are driven
by personal biases and prejudices. Despite the fact, that linguistics aims to explain language
from an objective point of view. Descriptive linguists on the other hand try to observe
According to John Lyons (1981) the main sub-fields of linguistics are: the sounds of
and culture. However according to (Paul Skandera and Peter Burleigh, 2011), the system or
which are actually the central part or base of linguistics. These four elements are also known
as micro-linguistics. These include i). Phonetics and phonology deal with the pronunciation
and the sound system. ii). Morphology takes in to account the structure of words. iii). Syntax
explains the patterns of sentence. iv). Lexicology and semantics focus on the vocabulary and
Paul Skandera and Peter Burleigh (2011) argue that apart from the core aspects of
linguistics there are other branches of linguistics as well. These include dialectology, ethno-
Link of linguistics with different sciences has steered its development into many branches of
linguistics.
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It is the study of language in its general terms and concepts. This study provides us
the different kinds of categories and rationales to analyze any kind of language.
The purpose of it is to reject or accept the terms and proportions which are presented in the
general linguistics. These two fields are very much related to each other.
It is the study of language through the history. Linguists of the 19 th century had a
particular interest in this field. It is the study of language how it developed through the
It is absolutely opposite to the previous field because it the study of language on some
It is to form some particular theory about the structure of language without any regard
to the application of the language in practice. Theoretical linguistics deals with understanding
the nature of language with a view to visualize their structure and functions. It includes
searching the reasons for common properties in all languages. Its major sub-branches include
analysis of how language is used by a group of people in a community. Its aim is to observe
investigates, and offers solutions to language related real life problems. It discusses wide
It is the narrow view of the language for splitting the inner sound system and the inner
1.4. Stylistics
All literary texts come in different styles and use of language. The study of such style
of literary texts is known as Stylistics. It is the most important area to understand and
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interpret the literature. It the branch of Applied Linguistics which studies the texts for
analyzing their tones, style, and linguistics properties. It is analysis how the artist has applied
different literary devices and styles on the given text. The tone of the work is seen in terms of
utility.
e. Lexical level studies the form of words and the pattern of words, e.g. whether
According to Paul Simpson (2004) in its generalized definition it can be said that
stylistics deals with the style in literary texts. But stylistics also focuses to explore language
by discovering the creativity in the use of language. While conducting stylistics analysis it
must be kept in mind that it should be rigorous, retrievable and replicable. Rigorous means
based upon agreed and defined set of standards. And by replicable, it does not mean copying,
but it reflects the credibility of the analysis that it can be done on by others to confirm its
versatility. According to Ilya Romanovich Galperin (1977) Stylistics is often called linguo-
stylistics.
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Per Michael Burke (2014), linguistics due to its importance has two feet, one in the
language studies and other in the literary studies. Linguistics stylistics are the most important
and wholesome form of stylistics. According to (Ronald Carter and Paul Simpson, 2005) in
this form students try to study the language and style in a refined form from analytical point
of view. It can be concluded that this study helps in forming an assumption regarding the
language.
There are many levels of language and stylistics; however major levels are given below:
i. Phonology:
The sound of spoken language and the way words are pronounced.
ii. Graphology:
It is about the contours and patterns of the written language.
iii. Morphology:
It deals with the structure of words.
iv. Syntax:
It focuses on the way in which words combine with other words to form
sentences.
v. Lexical:
It deals with the vocabulary of the language.
vi. Semantics:
It is study of words and their meanings.
vii. Pragmatics:
It deals with the use of language with respect to its context.
styles of different texts. Without the proper study of the stylistics, it is really a difficult task to
evaluate any kind of literary text. Most of the students of literature dont have a perfect grip
on the subject, therefore they cant make the best interpretation about the literary piece of art.
This is the research project which will emphasize on the importance of the stylistics in any
type of literary criticism. We shall try to get a clear view of having the approach to stylistic
In this discussion, the research team aims to find out the stylistics and language used
by Robert Frost in his two poems; Fire and Ice and A Question. Frost is considered an
authority when it comes to poems and it puts heavy pressure on the students of literature to
find and highlight his peculiar use of language and stylistics. According to (Nina Nrgaard,
Beatrix Busse and Roco Montoro, 2010) stylistics is considered as the branch of linguistics
and it helps to understand literature from the perspective of linguistics. Stylistics analysis is
The purpose of this investigation is to analyze statistically two Poems Fire and Ice which is
one of Robert Frosts early poems, and A Question. Both the poems are short but carry
deep meanings of the world order and are considered a piece of Art by Robert Frost.
The above mentioned two poems of Robert Frost are the main subjects of the research
project and it will be determined that how the poet was influenced by his personality and
motivation to use certain language, style and stylistics in these two poems. It is very much
important to understand Frost, since he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in literature for four
1.6. Objectives
The foremost aim of the project is to point out the authentic method to make the analysis of
Furthermore, research has been conducted to analyze two poems of Robert Frost
which are; i.) Fire and Ice; and ii.) A Question; from the perspective of stylistics. The research
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is also aimed to focus the similarities in his writings of these two poems from linguistic point
of view.
1.7. Rationale
Fresh students cannot make the proper interpretations of a given poem, therefore ,it is
necessary for them to have some glimpses of this paper because it has the knowledge of using
the stylistics while interpreting a given poem. Students often make mistakes while touching a
poem critically. The paper is about the right order of making the application of stylistic rules
upon a work of art. The paper will provide us with the proper steps taken towards stylistic
Research can be said as the basis of knowledge and relative truth. The reason for
naming it as relative truth is that there is no such thing that can be regarded as ultimate truth
because of the very reason that people have different views and opinions. Research enables a
person to dig out the surface facts by reviewing the available literature and in the light of that
The rationale behind this research project is to study not only the two poems of
Robert Frost but to also study and review the available literature on linguistics and stylistics
and their sub-fields. This project has multi-vectored implications since it does not remain
limited to one particular thing. It would provide the research team a unique opportunity to
search and find relevant data from many sources and ultimately to cite the data in an
academically acceptable manner. This project would have long lasting effects on the research
The study is unique in this regard that there exists hardly any study which has
analyzed the above mentioned two poems from the stylistics stand point. The study will also
take into account the personality and motivation of Robert Frost and his early life events
The research is important for its revision of some previous researches on the topic.
But it has some deviation as well from the traditional interpretation of the term Stylistics as
well. There is a kind of innovation in use of the terms and rules of Stylistics. It is also about
the clarification the important steps towards the right interpretation of a poetic work of art.
The paper is significant for those who are students of literature and it is of same importance
for those who have real interest in reading the standard kind of poetry with all its superficial
This research will help the readers understand and analyze two Poems of Robert Frost
i.e. Fire and Ice and A question. The text is stylistically analyzed at phonetic,
phonological, grammatical, graphological and lexical levels to enlighten the reader with the
text, the style and the use of language, and the linguistic creativity of Robert Frost by
choosing the right words and structures which takes us to his world. It will also help future
Chapter 2
Literature Review
This chapter gives an overview of the past studies conducted within the jurisdiction of
2.1. Style
him from alternate scholars in a similar sort of writing. It additionally changes starting with
one creator then onto the next and relies on sentence structure, tone and words. It can
likewise be portrayed as a voice that perusers listen to when they read the work of an author.
Style may allude to a few or the greater part of the dialect propensities for one individual as
when we discuss Shakespeare's style (or styles), or the style of James Joyce, or when we talk
about inquiries of debated origin all the more regularly, it alludes along these lines to a
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individual's uniqueness.
Essentially, style may allude to a few or the greater part of the propensities shared by
a gathering of individuals at one time, or over a timeframe, as when we discuss the style of
Augustan artists, the style of Old English courageous verse, the style in which common
evaluative sense, alluding to the adequacy of a method of expression. This is inferred by such
well known meanings of style as saying the best thing in the best path or as great behavior.
As indicated by Leech (1969) style is the route in which something is talked, composed or
performed. It alludes to utilization of words, sentences, structures and talking style. Identity
of the author is associated with his specific style. It uncovers that how a man adequately and
perfectly delineates his thoughts and considerations. It portrays the method for individual's
talking and composing. It is gotten from the Latin word elocutio which implies style and
means lexis in Greek. Bloodsucker and Short (1981) is of the view that the word style has an
uncontroversial significance. Style relies on upon the setting for a given reason for which the
dialect is being utilized. Birch (1989) trusts that both dialect and style can't move past an
utmost on the amazingness of words. He emphatically trusts that these words contain
implications which varies it from the conventional dialect. Bloodsucker and Short (1981)
additionally said that it is the choice of the words from a great etymological vocabulary.
Style is included in both, talked and composed, artistic and nonliterary sorts of dialect
however it is especially connected with composed type of the abstract writings. Parasite and
Short (1981) additionally expounds that style is the dress of considerations. It is the method
for the essayist to pass on the message to the perusers. It is upon the essayist that how he
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makes his content justifiable that the implications are passed on. Styles presumably change as
2.2. Stylistics
various settings, either phonetic, or situational. However, it appears that because of the mind-
boggling history and assortment of explored issues of this review it is hard to state definitely
what stylistics is, and to check clear limits amongst it and different branches of etymology
What has been the essential enthusiasm of stylistics for a considerable length of time
is the investigation of the sort, vacillation, or the purpose behind picking a given style as in
any dialect a solitary thought can be communicated in various routes relying upon
undertones, or sought outcome that the message is to create. Accordingly, stylistics is worried
with the examination of language structure, lexis, semantics, and additionally phonological
properties and desultory gadgets. It may appear that similar issues are researched by
examinations the previously mentioned issues seen as reliant on the social class, sexual
orientation, age, and so on while stylistics is more keen on the criticalness of capacity that the
style satisfies.
Also, stylistics inspects oral and composed messages with a specific end goal to
decide significant trademark etymological properties, structures and examples affecting view
of the writings. In this manner, one might say that this branch of semantics is identified with
Inferable from the way that toward the start of the advancement of this review the
significant part of the expressive examination was worried with the investigation of artistic
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writings it is once in a while called scholarly phonetics, or abstract stylistics. These days, in
any case, language specialists concentrate different sorts of writings, for example, manuals,
formulas, and books and ads. It is key to include here that none of the content sorts is
segregated and thought to be more imperative than others. Notwithstanding that, in the late
years supposed 'media-talks', for example, movies, news reports, tune verses and political
Short and Candlin said that stylistics is an etymological way to deal with the
scholarly talk from an etymological introduction which varies stylistics from the abstract
feedback and considers semantics as its connecting procedure. Carter (1988) has of same
view that stylistics is an extension train amongst etymology and writing. Stylistics is the
investigation of those gadgets utilized as a part of dialect, for example, explanatory terms and
linguistic gadgets that are utilized to make expressive or scholarly style. Along these lines,
Stylistics is that review which touches both abstract feedback and additionally etymology as
The content investigated by stylistics can be seen from various edges and as
satisfying no less than a couple capacities. Along these lines, it is said that writings have
interpersonal capacity, ideational capacity and printed work. While depicting a capacity, a
few issues are contemplated. Along these lines, interpersonal capacity is about the
relationship that the content is building up with its beneficiaries, the utilization of either
individual or indifferent pronouns is breaking down, and also the utilization of discourse acts,
While depicting the ideational capacity language specialists are worried with the
method for speaking to the truth by the content, the way the members are spoken to, and in
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addition the game plan of data in provisions and sentences. The printed capacity is the
reference of sentences advances and in reverse which makes the content strong and
cognizant, additionally other digressive gadgets, for example, ellipsis, reiteration, and
anaphora are examined. Notwithstanding that the viability of picked elaborate properties of
the writings is broke down with a specific end goal to decide their reasonableness to the
The accompanying is the levels that beauticians/language specialists test when they
2. Phonology (Phonemics) - the investigation of the sound arrangement of a given dialect; the
3. Punctuation both the syntactic and morphological levels should be talked about; the
point is to investigate the inside structure of sentences in a dialect and the way they work in
recognized and put through an examination to discover what is the standard (foregrounding)
4. Vocabulary on the lexical level it is the investigation of the path in which singular
words and figures of speech tend to design in various etymological setting; on the semantic
level regarding stylistics, it is the investigation of the significance of extends longer than
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the single lexical thing (in phonetics, it is the investigation of the importance of a solitary
lexical thing)
5. Discoursal/Textual Level around there, for example, the intrigue lies in data handling
(subject rheme), and to what degree a content is cognizant and what strong gadgets were
The investigation of style has long held a focal place in Old English artistic reviews.
One explanation behind this reality is the uncommon character of Old English verse, and
certain cases of early Middle English verse too, when contrasted and any verse in the later
consideration in the basic writing. The style of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle has gone under
individual Old English ballads appears to have been at its top amid the 1970s, as New
Critical motivations separated into the feedback of Old English writing from different times
of artistic reviews.
Robert Frost was an acclaimed American Poet, conceived in San Francisco on March
26, 1874. He saw a globally commended writer who won the acclaimed Pulitzer prize for
four circumstances. He moved to New England (Massachusetts) as a youngster after his dad's
passing. Ice experienced budgetary and monetary challenges until he chose to move to
England (United Kingdom) when he was 38 years of age. By doing this, he figured out how
returned in 1915, at 41 years old and after one year composed his perfect work of art The
Road Not Taken. His verse concentrated on topics of nature in which he installed the current
and philosophical issues of his time. His style of verse is exceptionally basic and simple and
clear. He is thinking about the numerous decisions he made for the duration of his life, and
considering how diverse would his life be in the event that he had settled on different choices
(by taken other street). Another translation, because of a few imageries in the ballad
recommends that Frost felt that his life was completion, in this way thinking about his lost
open doors.
Much dissimilar to his expert life, Robert Frost's own life was loaded with pain and
misfortune. He lost his folks at a youthful age. As though this were any less, Frost needed to
concede his more youthful sister Jeanie to metal doctor's facility. She passed on there simply
following nine years. At 20 years, old, in 1894, he proposed marriage to Elinor Miriam
White, who thus denied needing to complete school first. The next year, having graduated,
Elinor concurred and the two tied the marital bunch. They had six kids to be specific child
Elliot, little girl Lesley Frost Ballantine, child Carol, little girl Irma, little girl Marjorie and
little girl Elinor Bettina Elliot kicked the bucket of cholera in 1904, Carol conferred suicide,
Marjorie passed on of puerperal fever after labor and Elinor Bettina kicked the bucket post
three days after her introduction to the world. Ice's significant other contracted bosom disease
in 1937 and kicked the bucket of heart disappointment in 1938. He himself passed on in
Chapter 3
Research Methodology
Methodology is an agenda in which one can be on familiar terms with the principles
of the selected model and it makes available the fundamentals and techniques of the study. In
this research, we clarify the viewpoints, methods and structure slot in for the study.
perspective which the research aims to look for. It also provides the basics of strategies of
study and enables us to understand the concept, idea, unique approach and personal idea.
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Methodology is a process in which one can be aware with the principles of the
selected model and it gives the fundamentals and techniques of the study. This section of the
research clarifies the viewpoints, methods and structure slot in for the study. Methodology
which the research aims to look for. It also provides the basics of strategies of study and
enables us to understand the concept, idea, unique approach and personal idea. The current
study is a qualitative study based research on close reading and inductive analysis of the text
in the two poems of Robert Frost Fire and Ice and A Question.
paradigm. For example interpretive model is one of the models of investigating inside
sociology it comes within the reach of communal knowledge which is in opposition to the
3.1.1 Interpretivism
elements of learning which opposes the positivism of natural science. In selected two poems
of Robert Frost Fire and Ice and A Question we will use this technique. within this
dialectical process that a more informed and complicated understanding of the social world
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can be created. All understandings are based in a moment. Interpretivism is linked between
3.1.2 Constructivism
Constructivism is a theoretical view point about the nature of knowing. In the current
poetry based research this approach reflects clearly. There are many theorists who give
theories about constructivism but one famous theorist which is known for his constructivist
views is Jean Piaget. Piaget focused on how humans make meaning in relation to the
communication between their experiences and their thoughts. The theory of constructivist
learning by Piaget describes and explains how knowledge comes to mind and practices are
Constructivism is an ability to figure out any situation from the given information.
Constructivism actually describes how knowledge occurs, when the researchers use their
practices to comprehend a speech or any other form of discourse. It can also be called as an
educational directive which endorses energetic knowledge. Its basic belief is that a person
extracts knowledge, its meaning and relation between things, people and events by
This research is a qualitative study based on the inductive analysis of the text being
used by the help of close reading strategy, the researchers recognized the situation in the text
where model expressions had been used to create shading prototype in the above mentioned
Robert Frosts Fire and Ice discusses the question of whether the end of the world will
come in ice or fire, and while that question is part of the meaning, is the question as to
whether cold or heat is the more painful, not just in terms of destruction but also emotion and
pain.
In the second poem A Question Frost describes the feelings of a lonely person.
Disappointment is in every word of the poem. We can feel pains and grief of the poet which
Using the theoretical framework, the researcher comprehends the supposition and
perception to the topic of the research. It permits the researcher to review obtainable
information and answer the query of why and how. In theoretical framework, we scrutinize
different solutions and develop logical relations with the guidelines of the already formulated
model or framework. The analysis of the articles has been conducted by combining the
In order to make their written work more effective, productive, widespread and
valuable similar authors uses their writing powers to make their articles powerful and
appealing. similarly, the reader and researchers use control to understand the concealed
genuineness at the back the screen of expression so that they probably will find it more un
touched. An interpersonal friendship is sandwiched between the reader and writer. Writing
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power of the author offer often forces the reader to acknowledge and submit to the authors
power.
3.4. Population
The whole set of items or personal deliberate for a study is called population. The
population for the current study consisted of two poems Fire and Ice and A Question
3.5. Sampling
For this research, we will use convenience sampling technique to collect the data for
these two poems. This sampling technique is non-probability sampling; in this technique
researcher takes those samples, which are easily available. These samples have primary
information about the phenomenon. So, we can rely on data collection from those population
members who are conveniently available to participate in study. To analyze this poem, we
will study the complete poem, because it is not a larger poem. So, we can easily find different
Chapter 4
This chapter would discuss on the outcome of the current study. Using the
It consists of only one nine-line stanza. Robert Frost is famous for writing deep
philosophical ideas through intense and exquisite imagery, he has been called the voice of
America. In the poem Fire and Ice symbolizes the end of world with emotions like fire
with desire and ice with hate. This poem is considered one of the most popular anthologized
poem.
4.1.1. Title
The title of this poem is very simple and easy to understand. The main agenda which
the poet has narrated in this poem is the equivalent destructive potentials of the elements fire
and ice. This poem is actually a literary irony which has extreme brevity in its wordy
expression. As far as title is concerned, it represents a contrast between Fire and Ice. It asks a
rhetorical question of how the world will end, on fire or ice. Besides, title is symbolic as Fire
is the symbol of desire and ice is the symbol of hate. The worlds fate is adhered with this ice
and fire and in this way title seems to be ironic as well. Although poem is small but it has a
huge title which covers end of whole world within only three words.
4.1.2. Theme
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The major theme of this poem is greed and worldly desire which has been defined as
destructive forces to the earth. The poet has explained that the world itself a peaceful
destination but it is the human who demolishes it through hatred and greed. He has created
metaphors of fire and ice. The fire is greed and the hatred is ice which act in the same manner
The poet of this poem has selected very easy words to express his thoughts and
emotions for the ease of his readers but his selection of words is quite sensible. The most
prominent word in this poem is the word desire. This word has helped the poet to manage
his rhyme scheme in an absolute manner. The word desire here is used in the meanings of
hunger and lust not in the true sense of its literary meanings. In fact, if we can say that, here
the word desire has more stress on lust than anything else.
The poets selection for the words such as desire instead of using it into lust
seems to bring positivity of his impression. He kept a balance between the desire and lust.
The word lust comes out with severe negativity in its meanings which in a curtain of word
The other important word used by Frost is tasted. This selection defines huge
concepts of desire to several human experiences. In this regard, the Poet has left a vast choice
on his readers to conclude whatever meanings they want to assert from his poetry. The Frosts
diction in this poem has provided to his readers an unprejudiced space where they have huge
of Fire and Ice, there is a pronoun some which helps to initiate the thought of poet. With
this indefinite pronoun, Frost starts his poem and complete his sentence with a comma after
fire and ends on ice. Second line and second last line are short, which helps in
maintaining rhythm and rhyme. Third line starts from a preposition From and then an
interrogative what which is used for a rhetorical purpose and the Subject verb and object
structure is followed. However, if we draw the tree diagram of the sentences of this poem,
there can be simple noun phrases and verb phrase drawn. Agent and goals are also obvious in
This ironic styled, short poem (consisting only on 9 lines) has a great brevity and
conciseness in its expression of scheme. We find a great deal of words economy throughout
in this poem. This poem has been expressed in 9 lines stanzas which have extreme brevity in
its last couple of lines. The poet has casted his great creativity through experimenting the
mixing of Iambic tetrameter and Diameter in this poem. The rhyme scheme is following
4.1.6. Paradox
light of the fact that it regularly contains two proclamations that are both valid, however by
and large, can't both be valid in the meantime. In this short poem, a great paradox has been
defined. There is discordance in the belief of the worlds destruction. A scientific study says
that the world will be ended through a freezing or icing temperature while the other religious
and cultural believes of destructions suggests it will be by fire. So there is a big paradox has
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kept in this poem by the poet. He has left it undecided that either mode of destruction shall
4.1.7. Irony
Irony in the poetry is basically the selection of words which perform different
meanings in their functionalities rather their literal meanings. By the poet, it is also possible
to have a condition or a situation where the generally anticipated or prevailed belief is taken
in a total different context to the poetic language. Yet Irony is a great theme for this poem. It
has total ironic impression in all its words. The poet has represented his thought of irony
through two things: the fire and the ice. In this poem, the poet connoted the fire as the human
greed and ice is human hatred. These two concepts apparently are very concise but have a
great depth. The situation the poet has explained is a disturbed condition where this world
finally has to be finished. The irony which poet suggests is the ending of world through two
human actions, the fire which is desires and hatred which is ice.
4.1.8.1 Assonance
Similarity of sound between syllables of close-by words, emerging especially from the
rhyming of at least two focused on vowels, however not consonants (e.g. song, morning),
additionally from the utilization of indistinguishable consonants with various vowels (e.g.
cycle, psycho, syrup). In this poem, the poet had consumed fewer assonance. Only I is
repeated thrice as assonance in the entire poem. It can be seen in this line:
4.1.8.2. Cacophony
and inharmonious sounds. In literature, however, the term refers to the use of words with
sharp, harsh, hissing and unmelodious sounds primarily those of consonants to achieve
desired results.
4.1.8.3. Consonance
consonance in poetry refers to the rapid sequence of chasing the sounds in a poetic line. For
example the driller and killer have consonance of the soundsll. In this poem, the consonance
4.1.8.4. Alliteration
The poetic device that repeats a particular speech sound in poetic line/phrase/words is
called as alliteration. Mostly it consumes consonants in the start of words to bring a match in
all the syllables of a poetic sequence. This device in poetic language has a special role as it
provides poetry a charm maintaining music and rhythms. In the selected poem, Ice and Fire
the poet Frost has used this device to maintain the charm of this poem. In the first to lines the
In the 6th line I sound is again used more than one times.
4.1.8.5. Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is the word which poetry consumes in the imitation of natural sounds
for example the sound of rain, a sparrows voice or any other possible natural sound. So far,
this piece of poetry has not consumed any of the onomatopoeic sounds.
4.1.8.6. Imagery
The imageries are the visuals parts of poetry which poet creates through his words for
the readers. These visual signs are always designed to display the human five basic senses of
feeling. The Frost as a poet of this poem has created two beautiful different visuals for his
readers by using the poetic device of imagery. The image of fire available in this poetry has
two things the sense to see something and to feel it deeply. We can also observe the word
The imageries used in this poet have strong visuals that impact on our feelings and
senses. This poem has consumed two basic senses of human feelings, the cold and the heat.
The visual of fire, used in this poetry reflects heat. Fire for the heat can be destructive but in
moderation it is good for human beings. In the same manner, the concept of Ice works, its
consumption in limitation is useful but when it comes in larger quantity it has power to
destroy same as fire. Frost connotes through these visuals of fire and ice the emotions of
human desire and fire. Frost says the human desire is fire but only when it crosses its
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limitations. In the same way, the visual of ice for hatred works. The bad thing in hate is its
Smell Nothing
Touch nothing
4.1.8.7. Personification
different object and non-human items. In this poem, the Ice and fire are two objects which
have been broached by the poet as non-human elements but are designed to spread the human
4.1.8.8. Antithesis
Antithesis have opposite meanings in the poetry between two objects, phrases etc.
For example, the dark is the antithesis of bright and open is the antithesis of cold. In this
poem, the poetic device of antithesis has been great consumed. The word ice has extreme
opposite and contrastive word fire. We can see them through their literal meanings as well.
The ice refers to the cold and chill where the fire has opposite meanings to it. The fire is
4.1.8.9 Metaphor
we see that it switches the name between the two. Fire and Ice uses a metaphor although it is
an implied metaphor where Robert Frost compares fire and ices without implying it or
pointing it out. In this poem two metaphors have been used where the word ice has a
metaphor to the word hatred and the fire is a metaphor of human desire but after creating to
metaphors, the poet has created an intra comparison between these two metaphors also.
4.1.8.10. Symbolism
The entire poem hover about two great symbols. From its first and second lines even
we cant judge we are being told about symbols of fire and ice. In fact these two lines dictate
about scientific justification of reality. In later lines when Frost modifies his concepts of fire
and ice than we come to that these are symbols of hatred and human worldly desires. The
interesting part of reading these two symbols utilized by Frost is that, it never stops on a
narrow definition of hatred and desire but it provides a huge space to being into the definition
of provided symbols of fire and Ice. The readers are allowed by the Frost to add their own
experiences and imaginations with the concepts provided through the symbols of fire and ice.
4.1.8.11. Connotation
In poetry, the poetic device connotation refers to those selected words and phrases by
the poet which do not explain the plain and common meanings attached to them. The
connotations may be descriptions of contexts related to the culture and emotions. In this
poem, the two words are greatly used as connotation. The ice and fire, these two words have
different context and meanings here rather their original literal meanings. The ice connotes
4.2.1. Title
The title of the poem is the key to its understanding. The title best suits the content of
the poem as it has been written in the form of a question where the poet poses a question to
his readers. The theme of the poem revolves around a valid and compelling question about
the existence of human being on earth and the price they have to pay for their birth on the
4.2.2. Theme
This poem is a recollection of those moments which have now become part of the
past. stands for one's reflection on their past life. The poem is about the complicated
phenomenon of life and death which is as absurd as man himself. Man suffers on this planet
earth for something which is ambiguous and vague. This poem, A Question primarily
unveils the invisible link between human life and death and the man is put in a situation
where he can question about what all good he has been doing and what are the implications
of these actions on his life. The man has to value his life as something that is worth-living.
Another perspective is that the man has to suffer in this worldly life. The poet is trying to
portray that a depressing image of human life and he says that man is just like a pawn in the
hands of fate and this suffering never comes to an end. The very nature of the poem is
beautifully described with the question word, Why which actually depicts the mental status
The diction used in the poem, A Question is very vivid and elaborative which clearly
expresses the thoughts and feelings of the poet, thus creating a pictorial image of human life,
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death and sufferings. Although the poem contains a lot of images and symbolism, but still the
words and phrases help the reader understand the message of the poet.
The poem has simple grammatical structures but they have diversity in their used the
poet has successfully tried to employ these grammatical devices to give pictorial expression
to his feelings and thoughts. The verbs which have been used in the poem are mostly finite
and infinite. For example, the verbs, said, look, and tell are finite verbs while to pay is
an infinitive. First and third line of stanza are finite clauses which shows tense while second
and fourth line are non-finite clauses which contain a verb but does not show tense. Use of
commas, use of hyphen and full stop is used in the poem and it shows poet inquisitive and
dissatisfied nature. Poet does not have clarity about the purpose of life. Does life is the name
This poem consists of only one stanza. Each line is composed by trochaic tetrameter.
Stanza of A Question has the pattern of rhyme scheme: ABAB pattern, For instance, in the
first stanza, stars rhymes with the word scars and earth rhymes with the word birth.
4.2.6. Paradox
A single voice is asking to look me in the stars instead of listening. One voice should
be associated to one star. Soul and body scars cannot be compared as a price to take birth on
earth. Soul and body are two different prospective of human life. Man having difficulties in
life may not necessarily be having hardship in his soul. Rather these two aspects of life are
contradicting each other in every religion; one is examined with in life i.e. physical human
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body and the other is addressed after life i.e soul. If life is given by the God, then why He is
asking the men of earth about its price in form of soul and body scars?
4.2.7. Irony
Robert Frosts poetry is depleted with irony which is obvious in his poems which
typically depict the differences between human perceptions and realities. However not irony
is ever directed against mans nature to deceive himself. We can see ironic treatment of self-
deception in these lines. Though Frost is a pessimist in its very nature, but his vision of mans
dilemma is not negative as it is clear in these lines. The poet has great ability to represent the
horrifying essence of human life and his eagerness to recognize mans suffering from bumpy
a Assonance. It refers to the repetition of vowel sounds. For example, too much to
pay.
b Cacophony. The poet uses cacophony in this poem to describe a distressing
situation of human emotional upheaval. The poet uses words such as voice, look,
stars, soul and body scars, Pay for birth, with discordant sounds as descriptive words,
and tries to generate a dialogue between the humans and the God to display human
emotional state in the form of scars on body and soul that they have to pay to live on
earth.
c Consonance. It refers to the repetition of consonant sounds in nearby words. For
f Imagery. Robert Frost has frequently used ambiguous and abstract imagery in
his poetry to create a vivid picture of the subject at hand. The invisible voice
without being physically seen is the dominant imagery in these lines. I would say that
the voice is the voice of god. The stars rest in "heaven" which is where god would be.
This is supported because the voice is not that of a man. This deals with many
subjects. The poet was able enough to be very thoughtful about free will and the
survival of very evil. Similarly, body and soul scars is another example of imagery.
If you are to be free, then there are certain things an omnipotent, omniscient being
cannot save you from... those are the soul-and-body scars... If your mother smokes
cigarettes and does crack while you're a baby and you are born with three arms, don't
blame god. That's free will. You might also even say that, at least in the Christian
viewpoint, you have to prove yourself before god. That might be a soul-scar and you
are not born saved or good; rather the man has to prove it with his survival against all
odds.
g Personification. The start of the stanza with the words, A voice said is a clear
example or personification. Asking man to look me in the starts just like we see
different objects on the earth. That voice tries to compare itself with something
visible.
h Antithesis. Beauty of life is comparing with the hard ships in the form of soul and
body scars, is a clear antithesis of the poets thought and imagination of this world.
hardships and difficulties, even then the poet considered these difficulties too much
world. The poet poses a serious question that is it not a heavy price to pay for having
j Symbolism. This poem symbolically represents the pain and sorrow of humans
while living on the earth in the form of scars, presence of God in the starts having
qualities of listening and visualizing. The tone of the poem is always slimy but that
actually means that you can opt for any tone you feel you can absorb. This is also
called voice. You may hear an annoyed tone or an informal tone. What could be the
symbolic meaning of 'Voice'? At times, it is the Creator but it seems doubtful here. It
could be devil as well. There are no quotation marks, but the capital letter L after
the first comma suggests that he wants the remaining passage to look like a quote. The
philosophical drive is if the pang and suffering that we endure to feel the essence of
life, is really worth it. That is whether the life is to be enjoyed or do we only undergo
difficulties, a man has to pay in return of life on earth. This word gives a feeling of
Chapter 5
Conclusion
The Poem fire and ice by Robert Frost is a literary Irony in which he has chosen to
talk about the darkest aspect of human world. He has stressed on the importance of ending
39
this universe and accounted two most potential elements of threats which may act like ending
agents for this world which are either Ice or the fire.
Robert Frost has included most visionary concepts in this poem. He has also given
metaphors to his lifted concepts of Ice and Fire. For him the Ice is in fact hatred and human
grudge and the fire is human desire (the greed of human for luxury and worldly material).
The two elements of fire and Ice are equally destructive for the poet which are
associated to the destruction of this world but by deeply analyzing these two concepts of fire
and ice it can be concluded that the element of Ice is however less destructive than the fire.
The metaphors in these two concepts dictate that human hatred acts like Ice which freezes the
sentiments but there is a chance of its restoration for example the ice again can be liquefy
same as the hatred can be turned into love and affection but the fire is an eventual end. The
destructions made through fire have no compensation. Once fire burns, it finishes the objects
completely there is no chance of renewal after the attack of fire which is human desire. So the
Ice has revival. It has capability to reinstate. Ice when melts turns into water which is a sign
of life and its flow offers the continuity of human life. From stylistic analysis of the poem, it
is inferred that the poem is an exquisite example of symbolic title. Fire represents desire
while ice symbolizes hate. The poem predicts the end of world if human beings keep on
hating each other or the desire of the one destroys the other. The eloquent use of imagery and
alliteration for deep philosophical purpose make the poem worth reading. Diction of the
poem is simple but it is evocative. The irony in the poem is that the poetic predicting about
the end of the world but he himself is not sure whether the world will end on fire or ice.
There is a deep pragmatic thinking in the poem. The analysis proves that Frost is true lover of
realistic nature.
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The poem ' A Question' revolves around a vivid and compelling question about the
existence of human being on earth and the price they have to pay for their birth on the earth.
The diction used in the poem is very vivid and elaborative which clearly expresses the
thoughts and feelings of the poet, thus creating a pictorial image of human life, death and
sufferings. The poem has simple grammatical structures but they have diversity in their used
the poet has successfully tried to employ these grammatical devices to give expression to his
thoughts. This poem consists of only one stanza. Each line is composed by trochaic
tetrameter with a rhyme scheme of ABAB pattern. Robert Forst has used assonance,
stylistic devices in this poem. Frost has also frequently used ambiguous and abstract imagery
This poem A Question is about a question as we can easily interpret from its title. It
is a question about life, suffering, pains and hardships of life. Human beings on the earth are
bearing number of hardships in number of ways which is actually a price for the precious gift
metaphor, cacophony, imagery, antithesis etc. are used in this poem. This poem is beautifully
adorned by word choice and diction. The poet conveys a huge message through limited set of
vocabulary. This poem is from every side is a complete; title is very suitable, theme is superb
and style is grand, these all make it beautiful and thought provoking.
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