SECTION –C (LITERATURE) FIRST FLIGHT FIRE AND ICE- ROBERT FROST (POEM)

FIRE AND ICE- ROBERT FROST (POEM)

Gist

Fire and ice is a compact poem written by Robert Frost. It expresses the profound idea that the world would end in either of two ways- by fire or by ice.

FIRE AND ICE- ROBERT FROST (POEM)

Gist

Fire and ice is a compact poem written by Robert Frost. It expresses the profound idea that the world would end in either of two ways- by fire or by ice. People are divided in this issue. Some believe that fire will become the cause of the end and others think that ice will end the world. Both the components are compared with self-destructing human emotions: hatred and desire. He says that from what he is aware about ―fiery desires‖, he would favor the ones who say that it would be fire. But later he says that Ice or hatred, created by cold reasoning is also equally capable of destroying the world. 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.

EXTRACT BASED COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS [SOLVED]

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.

Questions

1. Who wrote these lines?

2. What is the poet‘s opinion about the world?

3. What is the contradictory opinion of public?

4. How are ice and fire similar to each other though they have contradictory traits?

Answers:

1. Robert Frost

2. 87 | P a g e

   According to the poet, the world will end in fire.

3. The contradictory opinion of public is the debate whether the world will end in fire or ice.

4. Both ice and fire are similar in the in the sense that both of them would destroy everything in the world.

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.

Questions

1. What does ‗it‘ refers to in the first line?

2. What do you mean by ‗perish‘?

3. What does ice stand for?

4. What would be two causes of destruction?

Answers

1. ‗It‘ refers to the world.

2. Perish means to die or to be destroyed.

3. Ice stands for coldness or hatred.

4. Ice or fire would be the cause of destruction.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS [SOLVED]

1. Which age old question does the poem revolves around?

2. Why does the poet hold with those who favour fire?

3. What does ‗ice‘ stand for? How is it sufficient to bring destruction?

Answers

1. The poem revolves around the age old question of whether the world will end in fire or in ice. People are divided in this issue. Some believe that fire will become the cause of the end and others think that ice will end the world. Here, fire symbolizes human desire and ice symbolizes hatred.

2. 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.

3. 88 | P a g e

   Ice symbolizes 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 can, thus, be very destructive and sufficient to bring destruction.

Long Answer Questions [100-150words]

1. What do the metaphors of Ice and Fire convey to the reader? Elaborate. What is the message given by the poet?

Answer:

Frost presents the two of the darkest traits of humanity; the capacity to hate and the capacity to be consumed by lust or desire. Of the two, he attributes the greater of the two evils, is desire. In giving desire the foremost position with regard to the destruction of the world, Frost is providing a powerful statement on the subject of greed and jealousy, saying that above all trait of humanity that is most likely to lead to its demise. Desire represents the greatest problem that attributes to the cause of the war. Frost then attributes hatred with the same capacity to do harm. However, he lessens the relative importance of hatred but still presents it as having the ability to lead to the destruction of the world if it were to happen for a second time.

Unsolved Short Answer Questions

1. What do ‗ice‘ and ‗fire‘ represent in the poem?

2. ‗But if it had to perish twice‘. How will the world perish twice?

3. Briefly write about the ideas about how the world will end

4. Write the sum and substance of the poem ‗Fire and Ice‘.

5. Why does the poet say ‗I have tasted of desire‘?

Unsolved Long Answer Questions

1. Describe the symbols of ‗fire‘ and ‗ice‘ used by the poet in the poem. How can each as well as both can cause the end of the world?

2. Discuss how extreme behavior can hasten the end of the world with respect to ‗Fire and Ice‘.

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