FIRE AND ICE (First Flight)

-ROBERT FROST

Summary:
Nature has its own way of creating or destroying things. Two things which are
capable of destroying the entire world are ‘fire and ice.’ In this poem, the poet
Robert Frost, talks about the two different beliefs regarding the end of this
world. He has made a comparison between two destructive forces of nature
with two strong uncontrolled human emotions (desire and hatred) which are
equally damaging. He says that he is in the favour of those who say this world
will end in fire as he has seen the effect and result of uncontrolled and
unending desires. He finds the human desires same as fire, in its nature.
On the other hand, the second belief tells that ice is sufficient for destroying
this world and the poet compares the nature of ice with- hatred, indifference
insensitiveness, uncaring, etc. Just as ice can make a part of the body numb
with its prolonged contact, in the same way hatred can also give numbness to
our mind and thoughts and make us insensitive and cruel.
The poet brings us into the middle of an argument between people who think
the world will come to a fiery end and people who think the world will freeze.
He could be talking about the literal end of the world, but he's also talking
about the power that human beings have to harm or "destroy" one another.
The poet's experience with romantic desire has taught him that passionate
emotions like love and lust would probably have the power to turn the earth
into a big fireball. But he has also experienced the other extreme, and he
knows that colder emotions like hate have great destructive power. Love gets
all the publicity, but hate is the silent killer. It may not have the same grandeur
as the fireball ending, but it will do the trick.
THEME:
This poem makes us think deeper about our negativity. It propels us towards
introspection. What we can learn from it, is that, we should strive to keep
human values alive. We should keep our desires and hatred in check. Desires
can be controlled by being satisfied and happy with what one has. Whereas,
love for all living beings and nature can be an antidote for the venom(poison)
of hatred.
The poem underpins the philosophy that if we let our emotions rule us and if
we don’t control them they will surely bring us all on the verge of chaos. If we
let our emotions rule us and do not control them, they will definitely destroy
us and everything around us.
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.
The poet puts forward the theories propounded by people which is, ‘The world
will end in either of the two ways.’ Some say fire will destroy everything and
others feel it is ice that will annihilate the world. Both ice and fire are symbols
of self-destructing emotions-those of hatred and desire, and jealousy and
intolerance. In this context, the word ‘fire’ can also refer to nuclear disaster,
volcano or forest fire and ‘ice’ could mean climate change. The narrator
believes the world will end in fire.
The poet knows what it means to have desires. From his knowledge and
experience of this feeling, and the havoc it can cause to a person if done in
excess, he agrees that desire can be a cause of destruction. Fire is used in
reference to the animal tendencies in us. Here, desire could mean ambitions,
aspirations, gluttony, greed, lust, etc. We commit mistakes by running after
our desires. We do not see that, excessive emphasis on desires is what keeps
us from experiencing pure joy and bliss.
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.
The poet has also experienced negative feelings like hatred himself. Hatred is
taken to he an ice-cold emotion. He has associated hatred with ice. A close
opposite to burning desire is the coldness or iciness of hatred. ‘Ice,’ is a
metaphor for hatred, insensitivity and intolerance and would be equally
capable of destroying the world. The poet believes that hatred will cause
isolation and will make us indifferent and devoid of positive feelings, which in
return will destroy the very humanity in us.
Both fiery desires and icy hatred are capable of ruining the world. So, the poet
says that if the world were to be destroyed a second time, then ice
(intolerance, hatred and coldness) will also be enough. This line lingers in the
mind. It frightens us and makes us shudder to think that the very inadequacies
and imperfections in human nature could boomerang on us and lead to our
destruction.
RHYME SCHEME:
The Rhyme scheme of the poem is abaa bcbcb
POETIC DEVICE:
1. Metaphor: comparison of two ideas without using ‘like’ and ‘as.’
Ex: Fire and ice are metaphors for ‘desire’ and hatred.’
2. Symbolism: Fire- a symbol of desire Ice- a symbol of hate
Fire and ice here are the symbols of human emotions and behaviour
3. Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds in the same line.
Ex: Some say the world will end in fire.
Some say in ice
I hold with those who favour fire.
4. Imagery: A figure of speech where an object, person or situation has
another meaning other than its literal meaning.
EX: Fire elicits the feeling of heat and light, but also burning and pain
Ice elicits the feeling of coldness, but also indifference and intolerance
5. Enjambment: term used for the continuation of a sentence or phrase
from one line of the poetry to next.
Ex: This poetic device is used in the last three lines of the poem.
Thinking about the poem:
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 gets so hot that it 'bursts or grows colder and colder?
Ans: There are definitely many ideas about how the world will `end'. I do
believe that the world will end someday as anything that has a beginning will
have an end. This stands true for the world also.
If the Sun got so hot that it burst, the whole of the Earth would be destroyed
immediately. No part of the Earth would be able to bear the heat of that
intensity. But even if the sun grew cold, everything will come to an end as
without sunlight, life will end. Too cold would affect the life of all creatures on
this planet. Thus, bringing an end to it.
2. For Frost, what do 'fire' and 'ice' stand for? Here are some ideas
greed avarice cruelty lust
conflict fury intolerance rigidity
insensitivity coldness indifference hatred
Ans. FIRE: greed, avarice, lust, conflict, fury, intolerance
ICE: cruelty, rigidity, insensitivity, coldness, indifference, hatred
3.What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? How does the poem depict the
two contrasting ideas - ‘Fire and ice?’
Ans. The rhyme scheme of the poem is: abaa bcbcb. The two contrasting ideas,
fire and ice are totally supported by the rhyme scheme of the poem.
The theme of the poem is the destruction of the world, which the poet says
will either be through fire or through ice. Fire and ice have both been equated
to the contrasting emotions of passion hatred.
The rhyme scheme helps bring out the contrasting ideas by breaking up the
poem into two distinct parts. The first part links fire with feelings of passion
and desire, and the second links ice with hatred. Each part speaks of the way in
which the world might end.
EXTRA QUESTIONS:
1.What are the two popular views in the society regarding the destruction of
the world?
Ans. The poem deals with the age-old belief about how the world will come to
an end. Some believe that the world will end in fire, but to others, it will end in
ice. It is shown in the poem that each of them has potential energy to bring
about the destruction of the world.
2. What do 'fire' and ice' stand for?
Ans. In the poem, 'fire' is associated with greed, cruelty, and lust, whereas 'ice'
is associated with rigidity, hatred, coldness, and indifference.
3.How will the world end twice?
Ans. The world is not eternal. Its end is certain. The poet says that both fire
and ice are destructive. Here, fire stands for the heat of desire and ice stands
for hatred. The poet favours the people who think that ‘fire’ will cause the end
of the world. But, if the world has to perish twice then ‘ice’ is equally strong to
bring an end of the world. He thinks that our violent desires will end the world.
If it survives, it will be ruined by hatred.
4.What is the message of the poem 'Fire and Ice'?
Ans. 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 to 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.
5.’From when I have tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.’
Why does the poet hold with those who favour fire?
Ans. The poet sides with those who believe that the world will be destroyed by
fire. `Fire' is a symbol of desire. The poet has already experienced desire. On
the basis of his experience, he knows that excessive desire will destroy the
world. That is why he holds with those who favour fire.
6.To say that for destruction ice is also great for the poet, what does rice'
stand for flow is it sufficient to bring destruction?
Ans. Ice symbolises hatred and indifference.
While desire consumes, hatred can linger (stay) in one's mind and heart for a
long time leads to fury and cruelty. One becomes hard hearted and insensitive
to the feelings of others. This insensitivity and hatred, slowly and gradually
leads to the destruction of the world.
7.Which age-old question does the poem revolves around?
Ans. 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 Answer Questions (100-120 words)
1. What message does the poet give to the reader?
Ans. Once Robert Frost claimed, "My poem begins in delight but ends in
wisdom-. The poet `Fire and Ice' echoes the above statement. In this poem, the
poet considers the age-old question whether the world will end in fire or in ice.
It is quite interesting that the poet does not give his own opinion in this regard.
It is meaningless to ask which one is stronger as we know both of them are
equally harmful to the world. We can associate fire with desire, lust, greed,
avarice and intolerance, whereas ice can be associated with hatred and
indifference. The fire of lust and greed gets publicity, but the coldness of
hatred is also dangerous as it is a silent killer. All of such black sides of human
nature can obstruct t progress of human civilization.
2. Discuss how extreme behaviour can hasten the end of the world with
respect to 'Fire and Ice'.
Ans. In the poem, 'Fire and Ice' the poet highlights that extreme behaviours
can lead to the end of the world. The poet points out the two different views
regarding the end of the world and associates the extreme behaviours to it.
The first view is fire which symbolises deep emotions of desire, passion, etc.
Desire according to the poet can become so intense that it can make people
lose their calmness. Fire of desires if left uncontrolled can lead to the
destruction of humanity as well as the world.
The other view is ice which represents hatred, differentiation and insensitivity.
Hatred, rigidity and icy reasoning give rise to contempt. It can end all positive
human emotions such as human warmth, love, sympathy, kindness and
consideration for others. This type of behaviour will only bring death to this
world.
3.How will the world end? Support your answer with scientific explanation.
Ans. According to the scientists, the two reasons for the destruction of the
world will be either fiery fire or the ice age. Some scientists believed 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 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 with an increased
effectiveness.
EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS
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.
a) What does 'it' refer to here?
Ans. Here, 'it' refers to the 'world'.
b) How is 'ice' sufficient for destruction?
Ans: 'Ice' symbolises hatred. So, hatred is sufficient for the world's
destruction.
c) What is the main idea of these lines?
Ans: The main idea of these lines is that hatred can destroy the world.
 d) What is ice a symbol of?
Ans: Ice is a symbol of hatred.
Extra practice question:
1, In this world nothing is immortal. Explain, with reference to the poem,
‘Fire and ice.’
2. Today’s world is conflict ridden. People fight over various issues and there
is no peace in the world. Explain based on your reading of the poem ‘Fire’
and ‘Ice’.
3. Imagine that Nelson Mandela read ‘Fire and Ice’. As Mandela, write a diary
entry associating the impact of the troubled history of South Africa with the
idea expressed in the poem.
You may begin like this:
10 May 1994, Tuesday 10 p.m.
Today, when I am the President of South Africa, I can’t help recalling Robert
Frost’s ‘Fire and Ice’ …………………(continue)………
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