‘Fire and Ice’ is well known poem by Robert Frost. Here the poem is explained with critical analysis and appreciation. vocabulary of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’ is also given.

Poem: 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 favour 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.

Robert frost

Vocabulary (Word Meanings) Page 15

Some say—some people in the world are of the opinion as; End in fire— the world will end in a fire; In ice—this world would end due to freezing; From what I have tasted—from my experience; Tasted of desire—experienced desires and its effects; desire – wish and longings; Hold with — agree or take side with; Who favour fire—who believe that this world will end in fire; favour – are inclined toward; Perish— get destroyed, decayed, expired, die; Enough—sufficient, adequate; Hate—dislike, abhor; Destruction—ruin; Suffice—enough and sufficient.

Poem: Fire and Ice, a Critical Analysis

The poet starts with an argument among people and says that the end of the world is inevitable but people have two different opinions. Some say that the world will end in fire (the high raise in solar radiation and temperature) and some say it would end in ice (the freezing because of decline in temperature). He says that he agrees with the people who say that the world will in fire. But, apart from their literal meanings and their destructive powers, Fire and Ice have been used with their symbolic connotations.

Fire metamorphically represents desire and passion. the intensity and extremes of greed, lust and passion prove destructive and consume relationships the same way as a large fire can do to the world.

The poet confesses that he himself has tasted or experienced desire and its destructive impacts. He, then, says that fire of desire can bring end to the world. He favours those who hold this view of destruction through 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.

The poet says that if the world had to and twice then ice could also serve the purpose because it also has the potential to end the world. Here the ice is compared with the hatred and the related negative emotions. Hatred Sparks differences which make a man blind to the consequences of his actions. He confesses that he knows hatred which is also enough for the destruction of the earth. Hatred makes one insensitive, Indifferent, cold and intolerant. All this leads to conflict which can end the world i.e. the human relations?