Significant Diction in "Fire and Ice"

While the poem is designed to be easily understandable, several words that are used by Frost are noteworthy. Foremost among these is the use of the word desire. The reasons for the choice are clear, seeing as it preserves the rhyme scheme in a better manner. However, in the manner in this peome that desire is used, the word is usually lust, not desire. Lust carries with it a deeper, more impactful connotation. By using desire instead of lust, which is a broader word applicable to more things, Frost is equating simple desire with lust, therefore giving the word a darker association within the context of the poem, which works better for the creation of his warning as to the habits of humanity. The word “tasted” also plays a role as a significant choice on the part of Frost. It creates synesthesia, relating the abstract concept of desire to a relatable human sense. In doing this, Frost adds a layer of multidimensionality to the poem, giving it a larger basis for the understanding of its meaning to the reader. Also, since the speaker has only “tasted” of desire, this also adds a layer of removal between the speaker and his subject matter, as his interaction with the things the speaker disdains is limited.