Analysis of poetic structure and meaning

Symbolism and Tone Explored in "Fire and Ice"

Symbolism and tone are important elements of a poem because they guide the reader to a particular place. Robert Frost's poem, "Fire and Ice" demonstrates the importance of symbolism and tone by comparing human emotions to destructive forces of nature. Desire and hate are powerful emotions that have the potential to destroy all that is good about humanity. Through symbolism and tone, the poet illustrates how human emotion is similar to forces of nature.

Symbolism is significant in the poem because the poet uses symbols of fire and ice to make his points about mankind. The poet contemplates the end of the world, bringing to mind to popular beliefs about this topic. The possible common reasons for this could b fire or ice. These images are specifically chosen by the poet to symbolize mankind. More specifically, these images are symbols of mankind's emotions. Desire is hot and is a symbol for the fire that could consume the earth. Ice is cold and that is a symbol for hate, which could also consume the earth. Like other emotions, fire and ice are present within every man. Desire and hate can be destructive forces if they are not kept under control just as fire and ice could be destructive to the earth. The poet writes, "From what I've tasted of desire/I hold with those who favor fire" (Frost 3-4), indicating that he would prefer fire to ice. However, he then writes, "But if it had to perish twice . . ." (5), ice might not be such a bad idea because he "knows enough of hate/To say that for destruction ice/Is also great" (6-8). It is significant to note that desire and fire have the capacity to destroy quickly while ice and hate point to a slower death. The comparison is significant because the poet is pointing out that thee emotions do have the ability to destroy humankind just like these powerful forces of nature.

The tone of "Fire and Ice" is significant because of the poet's intention. His understatement, "But if it had to perish twice . . ." (5), indicates that fire has the capacity to destroy quickly just like hate does and destruction by ice would be a slower death, much like the way hate destroys a person soul. Because the poet is writing in first person, he is reinforcing this statement. In other words, experience is the best teacher and he understands that the dangers of hate are far more painful and destructive than the dangers of passion. Passion is more like a comet shooting across the sky; it is connected to a short but very bright existence. Hate, on the other hand, could reside within a person's soul forever, basically ruining his life. Experience is crucial because it allows the poet to be an expert on this particular topic.