“Fire and Ice” By Robert Frost2/13/14

Title

The Title suggests a poem dedicated towards the seasons or to the earth. Some poems focus solely on nature the title here suggests that this might be one of them

Paraphrase

Some people think the world will end in fireSome think it will end in iceFrom what I know of desireI side with those who favor fireBut if the world had to end twiceI think I know about people’s hate To say that to destroy the world ice Could also be usedAnd would do the job

Connotation

The speaker is speaking about the end of world using fire which is related to hate and destruction and ice which is associated with loneliness and dismay. Form- the poem only contains one stanza this aides to

further understand the reality of the end of the world it doesn’t have to long and elegant because the world could end quickly and swiftly

Symbolism- Fire symbolizes the passion of mankind or rather the greed that is caused by it and is very destructive. Ice is a symbol for mankind’s hatefulness and the resentment that people hold against each other these is related to racism and religious intolerance.

Attitude

The speaker’s attitude towards the poem is completely indifferent. Even thought he is speaking about something as serious as the end of the world he calmly weighs the possibilities. Furthermore the Rhyming scheme of the poem gives it a light feel to it and makes it flow like a eerie nursery rhyme.

Shifts

The shift in the poem happens when the speaker contemplates the destruction of the world by Ice rather than fire.

“I hold with those who favor fire.But if it had to perish twice,I think I know enough of hateTo say that for destruction ice”

Title

When the title is analyzed it can be found that it is meant as a two opposing forces however both are likely and very possible.

Theme

The poem expresses the importance of contemplating ones actions. The world could end due to mankind’s desires or due to it’s hate which both can be avoided or changed.

What it reminds me of

This poem reminded me of The Day After Tomorrow. Where the world is hit by a global ice age climate occurrence.

This poem also reminded me of the song “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons because in the song its talking about an apocalyptic event which leads to different world and whether to fire or ice the world would be destroyed.