fire and ice analysis

[tahreem]

Complete Text

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice, 5
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

does anybody have an idea; what does the symbol ''FIRE'' and ''ICE'' mean here?
this poem has self contradiction. in the first two lines, it seems that frost is talking about world destruction but in the end of the poem in my opinion he is talking about static state of human, devoid of emotions
please share your comments regarding the analysis and theme of the poem.thank you

[unsolved_Mystery]

Usually Fire symbolises energy, passion, enlightment or sometimes sexuality etc. whereas Ice symbolises hatred, death and silence etc. Maybe the idea is which force will bring end to the world (passion/energy or silence/hatred). Idea of use of OPPOSITES having the same capacity to destroy the world, on the surface melting of ice, and what to say of Fire. Ponder over the idea that inhuman force of disaster in human beings are created by the intensity of human passion. passion of what? lust? science or technology? N.Bombs? what?????
Excessive hate and love, both are destructive.
Theme of fear: the end of the world. Natural disaster (fire/ice) or its symbolism (desire/hate/vengance)
theme of love/hate:
theme of choice b/w fire & ice
theme of desire: desire of what? love? power?

Also visit the following link that may help you.
Poetry analysis: Fire and Ice, by Robert Frost - Poets & Poetry - Helium

[SADIA SHAFIQ]

Originally Posted by tahreem

Complete Text

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice, 5
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

if one want to analyse the poem then he/she should have brief intro of poet.robert frost is a poet of south America.his poetry raises political issues rather emotional or sentimental.he wrote for south American culture that was deprived as compared to north America.If u want to have better idea of this poem then you should first read his poem"THE MENDING WALLS" The issues which are depicted in mending walls have affinity with all of his poem.According to my opinion it stands for;
1.cultural divide
2.love and hatred.
3.protestant vs Catholics.
4.modernity vs tradition.

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.

what poet has his own views you can see it from these lines.poet in very first lines had given us contrast ;ice and fire.the Greek believed that earth is consisted of four elements that are
1.fire
2.water.
3.soil.
4.air
look here ,poet has used two elements of man`s composition that are fire and ice/water.so water and ice comparison shows poet`s regret that hate has been shaped into solid material and it is so hard ,can`t be shaped as water.so poet is showing his lamentations that all values of tradition has been lost.and poet itself hold fire stands for poet is carrying the bar of tradition and will provoke to be holder of it.According to poet tradition stands for all moral values.these lines showed his love for Greek and have Hellenistic elements. it shows also man`s lust and desires and immoral values when he speaks about desires.the element of fire also stands for desire.the desire to get power/wealth/women/land .All desires are fulfilled by evil dreams and can be by only that way.these lines are showing that poet is pessimist because he has no hope but showing his lamentation and telling us about destruction



and what he opined about other views tell us how much it is hazardous as;

But if it had to perish twice, 5
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

here it=world
it stands as if world has already destroyed.it has been destroyed by fire .so when poet thinks about ice/hate .he is going to say it will likely to happen.as think=future .he is predicting about future that is has to destroyed further

[SADIA SHAFIQ]

Chaucer said"love conquers all".but Robert here, like T.S.Eliot said about spring opposing chaucer,love (fire) destroys all.that fire will create violence and hatred .That hatred will again destroys the world in turn