Fire and Ice
FIRE AND ICE Q 1. For Frost, what do ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for? Ans: The word ‘fire’ stands for desire. In the poem, it indicates all types of greed and lust. In today’s world, mankind’s greed is endangering the very existence of the planet Earth. The word ‘ice’ in the poem indicates hatred and indifference which is as cold as ‘ice’. Q 2. How has Frost brought out the contrasting ideas in the poem? Ans: ‘Desire’ propels us in hot pursuit of something, hence, it is compared with fire. ‘Hatred’ makes us cold towards other’s feelings. The coldness of ice can numb our senses. Similarly, the coldness of our hearts can numb our kindness. That is why ‘hatred’ has been compared with ice. Q3. The poem ‘Fire and Ice’, carries with it very deep thematic ideas. Elaborate on these darkest traits of humanity. Ans: Frost presents the two of the darkest traits of humanity; the capacity to hate and the capacity to be consumed by lust, greed or desire. Of the two, he attribut...