"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 favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To know that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
Robert Frost compares and contrasts two destructive forces (line 1). Fire is compared to desire (line 3) and ice to hate (line 6). Both desire and fire consume and destroy you as for hate and ice are cold and also destroy by breaking and cracking. They both, though, can accomplish destruction. Fire and desire might be better (line 3 & 4) because they are hot and it can consume you quickly. Desire is a passionate feeling that can burn through and devour the soul as well as the person. Frost though, in line 5, states that if he had to experience death for the second time, he’d rather choose ice, or hate, because it would be a better force, even if it is slow, it is not as painful. The poet makes the reader understand that it is better to choose something strong, powerful and short-lived, such as desire, or a quick death, than a long and time consuming feeling that kills you very slowly.
For more analysis on this poem, please visit http://www.sparknotes.com/poetry/frost/section9.rhtml
http://www.geocities.com/sir_john_eh/fireice.html.
