Introduction
Robert Frost's brief poem Fire and Ice contrasts his own imagination with the scientific presumptions of his day. It is figurative and symbolic in nature. The poet discusses the debate over which of the two elements—fire or ice—will bring about the end of the planet.
Meaning
According to the poet, fire represents the intense yearning for material things, while ice represents the human tendency toward coldness as a result of these impulses and a materialistic lifestyle. Finally, he comes to the conclusion that both of these weapons are equally hazardous and will bring about the end of the world.
This brief poem contains nine lines and follows the ABA ABC BCB rhyme scheme. Three sentences are present. The poet describes the long-running social discussion on what will end the world with the first sentence.
He alters the discourse symbolically in the second sentence. Ice and fire now have a deeper, more profound meaning. He expresses his own ideas in the last and longest line.
Fire and Ice
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
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.
Part 1
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
The poet introduces the poem by recounting the well-known and lengthy argument over which of the two things will end the world. Fire and ice are these two things.
Some scientists think that the world's impending extinction will be caused by fire. Here, the term "fire" refers to the earth's interior fire.
People think that the earth will one day explode and that there will be massive fire explosions that will scorch the entire planet, destroying everything in their path.
The other theory holds that the world will end due to ice. Ice now can mean a variety of things (as I have read different interpretations of this word on various sites). First, ice most likely alludes to glaciers melting and the sea level increasing, which will cause everything to sink.
This interpretation, nevertheless, does not appear to be the precise meaning of what Frost is referring to. The alternative perspective Ice is created when a meteor or other object from space enters the atmosphere and blocks the sun's rays, causing an ice age that will cause the end of the earth.
Before writing this rhyme, Frost lost his daughter and son, the latter at the age of 4 and 2, respectively, according to CourseHero. Therefore, the ice could also be a metaphor for the traumas that Frost had to deal with in his life.
Regardless matter what fire and ice represent, the poet expresses a common belief of the day.
Part 2
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
The poet offers his own interpretation of these two phrases in the third verse. He claims that because he has experienced desire, he believes that individuals who like fire are correct, and he agrees with them.
Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree out of pure desire. People become greedy, materialistic, and dishonest due to want.
Powerlust was the driving force behind the bloodiest wars and battles, which resulted in the loss of an incalculable number of people and other living creatures. So, according to the poet, the fire of desire will burn the planet to ashes.
Part 3
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.
However, the poet claims that if the world were to end twice, ice would have done the same. Frost used the word "ice" to describe the relationship's coldness. Emotions and human warmth have disappeared as a result of the rise of materialistic ideas.
People have lost sight of one another in the race for money gain and have begun to adore objects of material value. According to the poet, if the world had to end again, the hatred that has arisen out of want would likewise have wiped it off.
Take note of the way the poet combined two disparate ideas. It is impossible to have both ice and fire present. But for the poet, coldness (ice) results from desire (fire). Therefore, both will be present in the future to end the world.