CLASS X FIRE AND ICE
POEM ANALYSIS
Some sources believe that the poem Fire and Ice was inspired by Dante's Inferno where the concept of sinners being pushed into hell in neck deep in a lake of ice. Other sources say that his poem was inspired by a conversation which took place between the poet and a famous astronomer who might have mentioned that the world would come to end either by fire (nuclear warfare/3rd world war) or the earth might get destroyed by slowly freezing (global warming/temperature changes). But as we go through the poem it seems as though the poet has incorporated both the concepts into his poem Fire and Ice.
The poem was published after the World War I in 1920 and it is well known fact that the human history is full of various concepts and theories based on HOW THE WORLD WOULD END? Right at the beginning of the poem the usage of - Some say - clearly suggests that there are different opinions related to the above mentioned topic. The poet in the first stanza says that his opinion favours the people who say that Fire will destroy. Fire has two meanings - one that gives light like a candle or fireplace and the second is strong desire or passion. The fire in its all consuming form can destroy the humanity and according to the poet even desire/passion beyond the control of human beings is also destructive beyond any doubt.
In the next stanza, the poet helps us to realise that the world is sure to end. But its not completely destroyed by fire then there is always an opportunity for a second striking and which can be very well be completed by ICE. So according to the poet if given a second chance Ice would manage to get the same effect. When compared to fire, ice has a chilling effect and which according to the poet is the feeling of hatred.
So according to the poet, the two aspects of human being - desire and hatred - together can destroy the human race in its totality.
Poetic devices -
a) Rhyme scheme - aba abc, bcb
b) Assonance - I hold with those who favour fire
c) Alliteration - favour fire, world will
d) Imagery - it is used to make the readers perceive things involving five senses - Fire and Ice - we can feel the sense of heat and imagine it
e) Anaphora - the repetition of a word or expression at the start of two or more consecutive lines - Some say...
f) Personification - human qualities given to inanimate objects like Fire and Ice are capable of destruction - destructive behaviour is associated with human beings. Fire is associated to desire and Ice to hatred - so human feeling or qualities being given to inanimate objects
g) Enjambment - From what I've tasted ....who favour fire etc.
* This is more of an analysis than summary.
Some sources believe that the poem Fire and Ice was inspired by Dante's Inferno where the concept of sinners being pushed into hell in neck deep in a lake of ice. Other sources say that his poem was inspired by a conversation which took place between the poet and a famous astronomer who might have mentioned that the world would come to end either by fire (nuclear warfare/3rd world war) or the earth might get destroyed by slowly freezing (global warming/temperature changes). But as we go through the poem it seems as though the poet has incorporated both the concepts into his poem Fire and Ice.
The poem was published after the World War I in 1920 and it is well known fact that the human history is full of various concepts and theories based on HOW THE WORLD WOULD END? Right at the beginning of the poem the usage of - Some say - clearly suggests that there are different opinions related to the above mentioned topic. The poet in the first stanza says that his opinion favours the people who say that Fire will destroy. Fire has two meanings - one that gives light like a candle or fireplace and the second is strong desire or passion. The fire in its all consuming form can destroy the humanity and according to the poet even desire/passion beyond the control of human beings is also destructive beyond any doubt.
In the next stanza, the poet helps us to realise that the world is sure to end. But its not completely destroyed by fire then there is always an opportunity for a second striking and which can be very well be completed by ICE. So according to the poet if given a second chance Ice would manage to get the same effect. When compared to fire, ice has a chilling effect and which according to the poet is the feeling of hatred.
So according to the poet, the two aspects of human being - desire and hatred - together can destroy the human race in its totality.
Poetic devices -
a) Rhyme scheme - aba abc, bcb
b) Assonance - I hold with those who favour fire
c) Alliteration - favour fire, world will
d) Imagery - it is used to make the readers perceive things involving five senses - Fire and Ice - we can feel the sense of heat and imagine it
e) Anaphora - the repetition of a word or expression at the start of two or more consecutive lines - Some say...
f) Personification - human qualities given to inanimate objects like Fire and Ice are capable of destruction - destructive behaviour is associated with human beings. Fire is associated to desire and Ice to hatred - so human feeling or qualities being given to inanimate objects
g) Enjambment - From what I've tasted ....who favour fire etc.
* This is more of an analysis than summary.
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