JUBILEE HILLS PUBLIC SCHOOL, HYDERABAD

2024 - 25

SUB: ENGLISH

CLASS: X
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FOR REFERENCE ONLY

POETRY: FIRE & ICE - BY ROBERT FROST

CENTRAL IDEA

Ostensibly, the poem "Fire and Ice" by Robert Frost is about the hypothetical end of
the world, with the speaker asserting that it will be destroyed either by fire or by ice.
One could argue, though, that the central idea of this poem is that fire and ice are
equally destructive, in their own ways.

We can also look at what fire and ice represent within this poem:

The speaker says he "holds with those that favor fire" because of "what I've tasted of
desire." Fire, then, here represents burning passion; meanwhile, ice is, in his view,
also sufficiently destructive to destroy the world, a view he bases on knowing "enough
of hate." So, if hate and passion are both extremely destructive forces, we might infer
that what seem to be, at first, polar opposites (fire and ice) are actually far more
similar than they are different. It does not matter how a thing is destroyed; it only
matters that it is destroyed.

Ice works differently from fire in this „end of the world‟ prediction. Human destruction
doesn‟t have to be bright, noisy, and violent—hate can spread in more subtle ways. Ice
has connotations of coldness and indifference, and so a possible reading here is that
the end of the world could be brought about by inaction rather than some singular
major event

In just nine short lines, then, “Fire and Ice” offers a powerful warning about human
nature that would lead to the inevitable doom of the world.

Analysis of Literary Devices in “Fire and Ice”

Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line such as the
long sound of /o/ in “I hold with those who favour fire”.

Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line such
as the sound of /f/ in “I hold with those who favor fire”.
Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses.
For example, “Some say the world will end in fire” and “To say that for destruction ice,
is also great”.

Symbolism: Symbolism is a use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities, by giving

them symbolic meanings different from their literal meanings. “Fire” is the symbol of
desires and “Ice” symbolizes hatred. Similarly, “green” and “gold” are the symbol
of beauty and happiness.

Anaphora: It refers to the repetition of a word or expression in the first part of some
verses. For example,

“Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.”

Personification: Personification is to give human qualities to inanimate objects. In

this poem, “Fire” and “Ice” are capable of destruction. Therefore, the poet personifies
fire and ice by giving them a mind which can destroy almost anything.

Enjambment: It is defined as a thought or clause that does not come to an end at

a line break; rather, it moves over the next line. For example,

“From what I‟ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.”

TO BE DONE IN THE NOTEBOOK

Answer the given questions

a) The tone of the speaker contrasts with the seriousness of the subject matter.
Justify.
b) Fire and Ice projects a pessimistic outlook. Comment.
c) The poem „Fire and Ice‟, carried with it very deep thematic ideas. Elaborate on
these darkest traits of humanity.

PORTFOLIO ACTIVITY – To be done on an A4 sheet (back-to-back)

Robert Frost’s Fact Card – Quick Facts about Frost

Collage – His famous literary works

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