Figurative Language in "Fire and Ice"

Imagery – The concepts of fire and ice carry with them deep connotations that, in and of themselves, prompt the recollection of the sensations they embody. For example, fire elicits the feeling of heat and light, but also burning and pain. This particular image is well used by Frost to create a duality with both fire and ice that then draws attention to the nature of the warning he creates.
Symbolism – Symbolism is the key to this poem. Frost very explicitly makes fire a symbol for desire, and ice a symbol for hate. This, coupled with the imagery that these symbols evoke, creates a multidimensional complexity to the poem. Because of the deeper meaning that fire and ice take on, the application and understanding of the poem is altered. While the poem still is interpreted as a warning against these behaviors in the broad scheme of the world, in concordance with the war that was occurring, it also begins to take on a more personal level. Namely, 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 is then applied to one’s everyday life, and is interpreted as a warning against vices of desire and hatred in day to day life, not just in the larger world. Therefore, by making fire and ice a symbol, and forcing the reader to consider their application to the poem and it’s broader warning, this warning is then applied to the reader’s own life, increasing the effectiveness and impact of the poem.
Understatement - One of the most effective tools 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 who are of the opinion of the manner in which the world ends. However, by saying “some” he is minimizing the size of this group, making it seem insignificant, which stands in direct contrast to what Frost is creating on the surface, namely the downfall of humanity. Another, more important example of understatement in the poem is the last line “and would suffice.” This directly contrasts the preceding line, which speaks of the awesome power 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 Frost’s other elements, works to make this poem evermore applicable to the reader’s day to day life, prompting true thought as to the meaning of the poem, as per Frost’s intentions.   

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.

Meter in "Fire and Ice"

The meter of "Fire and Ice" is irregular, although it does maintain an 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 the variance in line length is to provide natural interruptions in the poem, causing the reader to pause and reread the prior lines in order to understand the meaning of the lines that use dimeter. For instance, when Frost says “Some say in ice” the reader then goes back to the first line fo the poem to reread the subject of what some are saying things about, in this case the end of the world. The meter also creates a general falling action for the poem, as it generally uses the tetrameter until the final two lines, which seem to underwhelm in both length and the final conclusion that is made. Also of note is Frost's use of couplets within the poem. The first and second, third and fourth, fifth and sixth, and seventh and eight are each couplets that mark within themselves important shifts in the poem. The first sets the stage for the end of the world, and relatedly the flaws of humanity. The second introduces the important first person, while dealing with the concept of desire and its relationship to the fire that is so harmful to the earth. The third deals with the knowledge of the speaker, placing himself as a quasi-expert on the subject by saying "I think I know enough of hate." The fourth is responsible for equating hatred with desire, although not to quite the same degree. With the creation of these couplets that have within them seperate focuses in regards to the poem as the whole, the last line is made to be more prominent, drawing attention to it's underwhelming final statement that breaks from any convention of the poem that precedes it. Frost uses the meter as a powerful tool to enhance the meaning, understanding and impact of his poem.

Rhyme Scheme in "Fire and Ice"

The rhyme scheme of "Fire and Ice" is an ABAABCBCB style, with the words “fire” and “ice” being rhymed with themselves within the poem. This scheme means the poem falls soundly within the category of open form, in which Frost did not follow any typical poem formation in regards to his structuring of "Fire and Ice." The rhyme scheme works to effectively create the necessary connections between words in the poem. For instance, with "desire" being rhymed with "fire," the two words are then related on a level that is deeper than what is explicitly stated by Frost, a necessary level that works to enhance the symbolism of the poem. Also, the rhyming of "fire" and "ice" with themselves works to also create a sort of repetition, which in its own turn gives more attention to the imagery and concept of the physical "fire" and the physical "ice."

Point of View and Speaker in "Fire and Ice"

Within the poem, the speaker and the point of view play an intertwined role that is integral to the overall impact of the poem. As the speaker is presented at the start of the poem, he is an overseeing narrator, speaking of what amounts to hearsay in regards to what “some say” will be the end of the world. In the third line, however, the speaker becomes wrapped up in the poem with the simple use of the word “I’ve.” In entering the first person, the speaker is now presenting the poem as a participant, speaking in a manner that lends legitimacy to what is being said. Because it is unconsciously inferred by the reader that the speaker is involved in the emotions, and therefore has experienced them, the conclusion is made that his opinion in regards to the dangers presented by the human emotions of hate and desire is to be heeded. Essentially, because Frost uses a speaker that presents the subject matter of the poem from the first person, the poem is then able to convey its thematic ideas regarding the consequences of human vices with an increased effectiveness.

Meaning of "Fire and Ice"

The poem itself does not require a large amount of explanation as to meaning of words or phrases, due to Frost’s concentration on making the poem readable and understandable by all. Despite the simplicity of the language use, the poem carries with it very deep thematic ideas. Essentially, Frost is providing commentary upon two of the darkest traits of humanity: the capacity to hate, and the capacity to be consumed by lust. Of the two, he attributes the greater of two evils to desire, saying “From what I’ve tasted of desire / I hold with those who favor fire.” In giving desire the foremost position in regards to the destruction of the world, Frost is providing a powerful statement on the subject of greed and jealousy, saying that above all else, even hatred, this is the trait of humanity that is most likely to lead to its demise. To Frost, desire represents the greatest problem that the world faces. In light of the fact that this was written in regards to the Great War, this statement is essentially attributing the cause of the war to human greed and lust, in doing so providing a current and relatable warning against this behavior in the future. Following his statement upon fire and desire, Frost then attributes hatred with almost the same capacity to do harm as desire, saying “I think I know enough of hate / to say that for destruction ice…would suffice.” While this lessens the relative importance of hatred in regards to the poem as a whole, it is still presented as having the ability to lead to the destruction of the world if it were to happen for a second time, again providing a powerful warning against this human fallacy. Overall, then, the intention and meaning behind the poem is a basic desire on Frost’s part to warn, in his own manner, against what he sees as the two greatest problems facing humanity.

"Fire and Ice in Relation to Robert Frost's Body of Work

"Fire and Ice" bears many of the characteristics that represent the body of work for Robert Frost. It is written in a simple manner, using a language set and vernacular that is designed to be easily understood. As is also a trend with Frost in his poetry, the subject matter of the poem deals deeply with human nature, exploring the implicit human emotions of desire and hatred. This subject matter, too, has a large capacity to be relatable to the audience, as it shares in collective human experience, in feelings that are experienced by all. Also in concurrence to the habits of Frost, these darker, deeper themes are presented in contrast to the simplicity and openness of the actual language of the poem, done intentionally to highlight the underlying theme. As a poem, this work also represents a significant break from the larger body of work of Robert Frost. While many of his poems are regionalist in nature, dealing with common aspects of life of New England, this poem does not exhibit the heavily regionalist nature, instead exhibiting a complete lack of it. This too is done to provide a point of contrast. By placing this poem outside of the ‘norm” for himself, Frost is able to effectively draw attention to this poem, lending a deeper level of significance to the poem and its warning. The regionalism of Frost's work, as well as the break from it that is represented by "Fire and Ice" can be seen in two of Frost's most famous poems.

The Road Not Taken – Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. 

 and 

Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening - Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep. 

As it can be seen, these works have a heavy focus upon the New England setting, a trait that, as aforementioned is not seen in "Fire and Ice." These two poems do share elements with "Fire and Ice," namely in the pattern of presenting deep, important themes under the guise of simple, understated words. This creates this previously mentioned accessibility to all audiences, while giving the poetry significant literary merit.