Fire and Ice
INTRODUCTION—
This short poem outlines the familiar question about the fate of the world, wondering if it is more likely to be destroyed by fire or ice. People are on both sides of the debate.
SUMMARY—
‘Fire and Ice’ is a short poem by Robert Frost. In this poem, the poet refers to two predictions of how the world will end. Some say it will end in fire while others say it will end in ice. According to the poet ‘fire’ stands for desire, greed, avarice or lust. The more you try to satisfy them, the more they grow. There is no end to it. They spread rapidly like fire and engulf your whole life. One becomes selfish and sometimes cruel also. On the other hand, ‘ice’ according to the poet, stands for hatred, coldness and rigidity. One becomes insensitive and indifferent towards the feelings of others. The poet says that both fire and ice are growing with such a rapid speed that the world would soon perish either way, in fire or in ice.
Explanation of the Poem
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.
Explanation: The poet says that there are two notions in the society about the destruction of the world. The first of these theories states that fire will cause the disaster to happen. He equates fire with human passion and desire. The poet frankly confesses that he agrees with those people who believe that the world will be burnt by fire.
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.
Explanation: In these lines, the poet stops discussing the first theory and goes on to talk about the second theory – the theory about the destruction of earth by ice. He does not disagree with the first theory about fire. He simply considers what might happen if the earth were to be destroyed a second time. He is sure that the second time ice will be enough to destroy the earth as nearly and effectively as the fire. He then compares ice with hatred.
Choose the correct answer.
Question. According to the poet, what would be as competent as fire in ending the world?
(i) Hatred
(ii) Cold
(iii) Heat
(iv) Ice
Answer. D
Question. The poet brings about a contrast between ‘ice’ and:
(i) love
(ii) heat
(iii) cold
(iv) hatred
Answer. D
Question. What is ‘Ice’ a symbol of?
(i) Lust
(ii) Love
(iii) Desire
(iv) Hatred
Answer. D
Question. Name the poetic device used in the line, “Some say the world will end in fire”.
(i) Metaphor
(ii) Imagery
(iii) Alliteration
(iv) Oxymoron
Answer. B
Question. What does the poet compare fire with?
(i) Hatred
(ii) Desire
(iii) Hot
(iv) Both (i) and (iii)
Answer. B
Question. Name the poetic device used in the line, “To say that for destruction ice is also great”.
(i) Metaphor
(ii) Imagery
(iii) Alliteration
(iv) Oxymoron
Answer. B
Extract Based Questions
Read the following extracts and answer the questions/complete the sentences that follow :
Q. 2. But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great.
Question. Hatred, coldness and rigidity are the symbol of ................... .
(i) water
(ii) fire
(iii) ice
(iv) wind
Answer.(iii) ice
Question. Who has written the above lines ?
(i) Robert Frost
(ii) Ruskin Bond
(iii) Adrienne Rich
(iv) Carl Sandburg
Answer.(i) Robert Frost
Question. The poet thinks of what ?
(i) love
(ii) hatred
(iii) destruction
(iv) development
Answer. (ii) hatred
Question. Find the word from the passage which means the same as ‘to die’.
(i) destruction
(ii) favour
(iii) desire
(iv) perish
Answer.(iv) perish
OR
Question. What is great for destruction ?
(i) ice
(ii) water
(iii) fire
(iv) wind
Answer.(i) ice
Question. Who knows enough of hate ?
(i) many
(ii) poet
(iii) few
(iv) none
Answer.(ii) poet
Question. If the ................... had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate.
(i) world
(ii) universe
(iii) earth
(iv) people
Answer.(i) world
Question. What is the rhyme scheme of this stanza ?
(i) aabb
(ii) abaa
(iii) abab
(iv) abba
Answer.(iii) abab
Q. 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.
Question. The poet’s opinion is that the world will end in .......................... .
(i) fire
(ii) ice
(iii) earthquake
(iv) tsunami
Answer.(i) fire
Question. Who is the poet of this poem ?
(i) R.L. Stevenson
(ii) Sarojini Naidu
(iii) William Wordsworth
(iv) Robert Frost
Answer.(iv) Robert Frost
Question. The people of the world think that the world will end in .......................... .
(i) fire and tsunami
(ii) earthquake and cyclone
(iii) melting of glaciers
(iv) fire or ice
Answer.(iv) fire or ice
Question. Find the word from the passage which means same as ‘endless greed’.
(i) favour
(ii) desire
(iii) perish
(iv) destruction
Answer.(ii) desire
OR
Question. The indifference, hatred and rigidity are signified by .......................... .
(i) wind
(ii) ice
(iii) water
(iv) fire
Answer.(ii) ice
Question. Greed, passion and desire are signified by .......................... .
(i) water
(ii) wind
(iii) fire
(iv) ice
Answer.(iii) fire
Question. The poet favours the opinion of the people who think the world will end in .......................... .
(i) fire
(ii) ice
(iii) earthquake
(iv) cyclone
Answer.(i) fire
Question. What is the rhyming scheme of the lines ?
(i) abaa
(ii) aabb
(iii) abba
(iv) abab
Answer.(i) abaa
Short Answer Type Questions
Question. What does ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for and what is the general opinion regarding the world ?
Answer. Fire stands for fury, hatred, anger, cruelty; ice is symbolic of insensitivity, coldness and intolerance-General opinion-some say ice, while others say fire will destroy the world.
Fire stands for fury, desire, lust, anger, avarice, cruelty and greed. Ice is symbolic of hatred, coldness, rigidity, insensitivity and intolerance. The general opinion regarding the world is that the world will end in fire and some say ice. Both the two reasons contrast each other and one equally opposite to each other. People who favour fire believe that it will be the heat and passion which will end the world. On the other hand, some people think that it will be the ice which will freeze the world.
Long Answer Type Questions
Question. What deep meaning does the poem ‘Fire and Ice’ carry in it ?
Answer.
The poet has compared fire to the dark side of humanity i.e., hatredness and lust. According to the poet lust is a greater evil. Desire or lust is the cause of war. Hatredness is also harmful. So the poem ‘Fire and Ice’ represents the two evils hatredness and lust which lead to the destruction of the world. According to the poet fire stands for desire, greed and avarice. The more you try to satisfy them, the more they grow. There is no end to it. They spread rapidly like fire and ruin your whole life. On the other hand, ‘ice’ according to the poet, stands for hatred, coldness and rigidity. One becomes insensitive and indifferent towards the feelings of others. One becomes selfish and sometimes cruel also. The poet says that both fire and ice are growing with such a rapid speed that the world would soon perish either way, in fire or in ice.
