SESSION - 4
Poem 2: Fire and Ice
Read the
poem and prepare short answers, long answers and extracts from the text book and co
material.
Answers
Answer:
Question 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.
(a) What is the poet’s opinion of the world in these lines? [CBSE 2014]
(b) What is the poet’s opinion about the world?
(c) What is the contradictory opinion of public?
(d) How are ice and fire similar to each other though they have contradictory traits? [CBSE 2011]
Answer:
(a) In the poet’s opinion the world will end in fire.
(b) Aaccording to the poet, the world will end in fire.
(c) The contradictory opinion of public is the debate whether the world will end in fire or ice.
(d) Both ice and fire are similar in the in the sense that both of them would destroy everything in the world.
Question 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.
(a) What does ‘it’ refers to in the first line?
(b) What do you mean by ‘perish’?
(c) What does ice stand for?
(d) What would be the cause of destruction? [CBSE 2015]
Answer:
(a) ‘It’ refers to the world.
(b) Perish means to die or to be destroyed.
(c) Ice stands for coldness.
(d) Ice or fire would be the cause of destruction.
Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks each]
Question 1.
For Frost, what do ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for?
Answer:
The word ‘fire’ stands for desire. In the poem, it
indicates all types of greed and lust. In today’s world, mankind’s greed is endangering the very existence of the planet Earth. The word ‘ice’ in the poem indicates hatred and indifference which is as cold as ‘ice’.
Question 2.
How has Frost brought out the contrasting ideas in the poem?
Answer:
‘Desire’ propels us in hot pursuit of something, hence, it is compared with fire. ‘Hatred’ makes us cold towards other’s feelings. The coldness of ice can numb our senses. Similarly, the coldness of our hearts can numb our kindness. That is why ‘hatred’ has been compared with ice.
Question 3.
Write down the two different views about the end of the world? [CBSE 2012]
Answer:
There is a debate that is going on about the end of the world. People say that the world will end in fire or in ice. World is transitory, nothing is perennial in this universe.
Question 4.
How does Robert Frost caution the common man?
Answer:
Man is selfish, avaricious, lustful, indifferent and
hateful. Robert Frost cautions the common man and says that he should not forget the bitter reality that everything in this world is transitory and death is inevitable.
Question 5.
Why does the poet hold with those who favour fire?
Answer:
The poet takes side with those who believe that the
world will be destroyed by fire. Frost connects fire with desire. According to the poet, desire is powerful and would be a quick end. Moreover, the fact that he has had personal experience with desire leads him to first conclude that the world will end in fire.
Question 6.
Write the sum and substance of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’.
Answer:
The crystal clear message that the poet is trying to give is that nothing in this world is eternal. Everything will perish either in fire or ice. We should, thus, not forget this supreme reality and keep ourselves above all selfish matters.
Question 7.
Briefly write about the ideas about how the world will end. [CBSE2016]
Answer:
The world will end as a direct result of either fire or ice. Some scientists believed that the world would be incinerated from its fiery core, while others were convinced that the coming ice age would destroy all living things on the Earth’s surface.
Frost introduces a more emotional side, associating desire with fire and hatred with ice. The poem, thus, does not allow for any other opinions in the black and white debate between fire and ice.
Question 8.
To say that for destruction ice is also great for the poet, what does ‘ice’ stand for? How is it sufficient to bring destruction? [ CBSE 2014]
Answer:
‘Ice’ symbolises hatred. Hate is just as powerful as desire. While desire consumes quickly, hate can occur and linger in people’s minds and hearts for years and sometimes even lifetimes. Hate consumers the hater perhaps even more than the person or group hated and it can ruin lives. Hate can, thus, be very destructive and sufficient to bring destruction.
Question 9.
‘But if it had to perish twice’. How will the world perish twice?
Answer:
According to the poet, the world will end due to the ‘fire’, which symbolises desire. But if the world had to end twice then it will be due to the hatred symbolised by ‘ice’. The poet feels that there is enough hatred in the world that is spreading among the people. This hatred will end the world one day.
Question 10.
Which age old question does the poem revolves around? [CBSE 2013]
Answer:
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.
Answer:
humanity idya nimge nachke agbeku nim mukhakke kashta pattu Appa Amma nimanthorna odsoke dudithare aadre nimanthore adanna sariyagi upyogiskolalla ithara ket ket kelsa madkondirthare onsala Nim Appa Amma kashta padodunna nodudre gottagutte ithara nachke ildiro kelsa madodalla Jeevna ishte alla Inna thumba ide channag anbosthira inthoro tuu
