Question

What does the ice stand for,in the poem fire and ice ?

Answer 1

According to Frost, ‘fire’ stands for greed, conflict, fury, cruelty, lust and avarice whereas ‘Ice’ stands for insensitivity, coldness, intolerance, indifference, rigidity and hatred.

Summary: Robert Frost’s poem “Fire and Ice” is a strong symbolic poem where fire is used as the emotion of desire and ice, that of hatred. He has used the idea of two groups who have their own possible explanation for the end of the world. One is of the opinion that fire alone, can destroy each and every possibility of life on Earth while the other thinks that if ice as a result of extreme low temperatures could cover the earth’s surface, it would lead to the end of the world. Both the components are compared with self-destructing human emotions: desire and hatred. The poet is originally of the opinion that he has been very closely associated with the “fiery desires” and considers it capable of bringing human beings on the verge of destruction. Thus, he considers fire as more competent for destruction. But then he thinks that “icy hatred” is just as capable of ruining humans, though slowly and steadily. Therefore, if Earth was to end twice, ice would be just as good as fire. If fire would lead to rapid destruction, ice would lead to silent damage. Similarly, if fire is pure passion, ice is pure reason. Thus, the poem, very artistically, underpins the philosophy that we let our emotions rule us and if don’t control them they will surely bring us all on the verge of chaos.

Answer 2

Ice stands for the rigid, inert, and harsh nature of human beings.

• Fire and ice is a poem by Robert Frost.
• There are two theories about how the world will end.
• Some say that it will be by fire and others say that it will be by the water.
• Poet thinks that fire and ice are there within the human mind.
• Fire stands for anger, greed, and desires, the more you try to satisfy it, the more it will spread.
• Ice is the inert, rough, rigid nature of human beings.
• They are too selfish, they are indifferent to the feelings of others.
• They are not bothered about the sorrow of others.
• Poet says that as the fire and ice spread so quickly in human minds, the world will end soon either by fire or water.
• #SPJ2