Robert Frost 

"Fire and Ice" written by Robert Frost is a poem  more modern than some of his other famous works such as: "The Road Not Taken" and "After Apple Picking". A reader does not sense the 'old-fashioned' New England lifestyle that many associate Frost with.

 

Meaning

The poem itself does not require a large amount of explanation as to the meaning of the words or phrases, due to Frost intentions of making the poem as readable and understandable as possible. Despite the simplicity of the language use, the poem carries very deep ideas. Essentially, Frost is giving commentary on the two darkest traits of humanity: "the capacity to hate and the capacity to be consumed by lust". Of the two, he attributes desire to be greater of the two evils, saying "From what I've tasted of desire / I hold with those who favor fire". In giving desire the leading position in relation to the destruction of the world, Frost is providing a powerful statement towards the ideas of greed and jealousy, saying that, above all, even hatred, this is the trait that humanity is most likely to lead to its downfall. So in other words to Frost, desire holds as the greatest problem that the world faces. In light of the fact that this poem is written in regards to the Great War, this statement is virtually attributing the cause of the war to human greed and lust, in doing so he is also warning against this behaviour in the future. Frost then attributes hatred to have nearly the same capacity to do harm as desire, when saying "I think I know enough of hate / to say that for destruction ice.... would suffice". While the poem does lessen the relative importance of hatred as a whole, it is still shown as to have the ability to lead to the destruction of the world, for instance if the war were to happen again, this again providing a "powerful warning against this human fallacy". Overall, the meaning and intention behind the poem is a basic wish to warn against what he sees as the two greatest problems facing humanity.

 

Meter

• Iambic: is a poetic verse that is made up of iambs, which are metrical "feet" where each metrical "feet" consists of 2 syllables.

• Dimeter: is a line or verse with 2 iambs, where one iamb is equal to two syllables, so a line following the  dimeter, would consist of 4 syllables.

• Tetrameter: is a line or verse with 4 iambs, where one iamb is equal to two syllables, so a line following the  tetrameter, would consist of 8 syllables.

The meter of this poem is irregular, as it does not follow just one iambic "foot" throughout. The first line is tetrameter, followed by dimeter, followed by five lines of tetrameter and ending with two lines of dimeter. The purpose of this differing in line length is to provide "natural interruptions" in the poem, causing the reader to pause and reread the previous lines in order to understand the meaning of the lines that use dimeter. For example, when Frost says: "some say in ice" the reader goes back to the previous line to understand the subject of what the "some" are saying about, in this case it is about the end of the world. Also, something important to note is that, Frost uses couplets within the poem. Lines one and two, three and four, five and six, seven and eight and as last line nine, which seems to break this pattern. Lines one and two sets the stage for the end of the world, and introduces the idea of "fire" and "ice". Lines three and four, brings in the concept of the relationship between "desire" and "fire" that is so harmful to this world. Lines five and six, deals with the knowledge of the speaker on the subject: "I think I know enough of hate". Lines seven and eight, is bringing in the comparison between: desire and hatred, although not quite at the same degree. With the creation of these couplets with different focuses in relation to the poem as a whole, the last line is given more emphasis, drawing attention to the statement that breaks from any convention of the lines in the poem before it. Frost uses meter as a powerful tool to intensify the meaning, understanding and impact of this poem.

 

Rhyme Scheme

The poem consists of 9 lines. Of this, the rhyme scheme of this poem is in the style of: A - B - A - A - B - C - B - C - B where the words 'fire' and 'ice' are being rhymed to themselves through the poem. This scheme shows that the poem falls into the category of open form, where Frost did not follow any typical form in the structure of "fire and ice". The rhyme scheme works effectively to make connections between the words in the poem. For example, when "desire" is rhymed with "fire", the two words are then connected on a level that is deeper than what is said explicitly said by Frost, a level that is necessary to enhance the meaning and symbolism of the the poem. Also, the rhyming of "fire" and "ice" with themselves, to create a form of repetition, which in turn gives more attention to the imagery and concept of the physical "fire" and the physical "ice".

 

Enjambment

The poet also employs strong enjambment in line 7: "to say that for destruction ice / is also great" this enjambment gives great effect as the word "ice" is given emphasis.

 

Point of view

Within the poem the point of view of the speaker changes to create a sort of effect. As the poem begins the speaker is presented as an overseeing narrator; this is clearly indicated with the words: "some say" will be the end of the world. in the third line however, the speaker becomes wrapped up with the poem and starts the use of the word: "I've". In entering the first person, the speaker is now presenting the poem as a part-taker in the believes of the end of the world. Because it is unconsciously concluded by the reader that the speaker is now involved in the emotions of the poem, and thereby has experiences them, the conclusion is made to seem that it's his opinion on the dangers created by human emotions of hatred and desire. Essentially, Frost uses a first person speaker to be able to convey the poem's thematic ideas as to the consequences of the human's dark natures with increased effectiveness.

 

Tone and Mood

Overall the tone and mood of this poem is:

Preaching - Frost is warning humanity against its two darkest threats: hatred and desire.

Dark, dull, gloomy - The poem is quite negative and also the tone seems quite disappointed, like Frost is disappointed with the behaviours of himself and everybody around him.

 

Imagery

The concepts of fire and ice carry with deep meanings that, by themselves, prompt the recollection of the sensations they embody. For example, fire evokes the feeling of heat and light, but also burning and pain whereas ice evokes the feeling of cold and dark, but also freezing and pain. This image is well used by Frost to create a duality of both fire and ice which then brings attention to the way of the warning he creates.

 

Symbolism

Symbolism is key to this poem. Frost very clearly makes fire the symbol for desire, and ice as a symbol for hate. This together with imagery that these symbols evoke, creates a "multidimensional complexity" to the poem. While the poem is still seen as a warning against these behaviours in the broad scheme of the world, in similarity with the war that was occurring, the poem also seems to take on a more personal level. This is due to the personal connection that is shared by the creation of these symbols (with fire and desire, ice and hate). The poem then applies to one's daily life, and is interpreted as a warning against the immoral behaviour of desire and hatred in day to day life, not just in the context of the great and broad world. Therefore, by making fire and ice a symbol and forcing readers to consider their application as a warning, this warning put into comparison with the reader's own life, increasing the effectiveness and impact of the poem.

 

Understatement

One of the most effective tool used by Frost to give this poem it's essential meaning. Frost says "some say" twice in the first two lines. On the surface, this represents a group of people that are 'of' the opinion of the manner in which this world will end. However, by saying "some" he is reducing the size of this group, making it seem insignificant, which is in direct contrast to what he is creating on the surface, the downfall of humanity. Another important understatement in this poem is the last line: "and would suffice". This directly contrasts the previous line, which speaks of the amazing powers of hatred and it's destructive ability. It gives the poem a very abrupt ending, leaving the reader with a sense that the poem has not entirely concluded. This too, like other elements given intentionally by Frost, make this poem evermore applicable to a reader's day to day life, leaving the reader wondering what the true meaning behind the poem really is.