Fire and ICE Class 10 CBSE English Poem Summary, Explanation, NCERT Solutions

Posted On: April 27, 2020
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CBSE Class 10 English First Flight – Fire and ICE Poem Explanation Notes with Summary, Question Answers

Fire and Ice Class 10th English First Flight Poem – Detailed clarification of poem along with meanings of difficult words. Also, the explanation is followed by the literary devices used and a description of the Chapter. All the exercises and Answers and Questions given at the back of the chapter have been covered.

Fire and Ice Poem

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 say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

Fire and Ice Summary

Robert Frost’s poetry “Fire and Ice” is a symbolic poem. Fire is used as the emotion of desire and ice is a representation of hatred. He has used the idea of two groups who have their own idea for the end of the world. One group is of the opinion that fire can destroy every possibility of life on Earth. While the other thinks that ice was also capable to bringing the world to an end. If ice, as a result of extremely low temperatures could cover the earth’s surface then it can lead to the end of the world. Both the components are compared with self-destructing emotions: hatred and desire. The poet is originally of the opinion that he has been closely associated with the “fiery Desires” and considers it capable of bringing Humans on the verge of destruction. Thus, he considers fire as more competent for destruction. But then he thinks that “icy hatred” is just as capable equal damage, though steadily and slowly. Therefore, if Earth was to end twice, ice would be just as appropriate as fire. If a fire would lead to rapid destruction, ice would lead to silent damage. Similarly, if a fire is a pure passion, ice is pure reason. So the poet, Robert Frost conveys the philosophy that if we let our emotions overrule us and not keep them in control then they will bring destruction.

Fire and Ice Poem Explanation

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.

Explanation: The poet, Robert Frost expresses his idea that the world would end either by ice or by fire. One group says that the Earth will get so heated that it will lead to fire destroying the Earth. The second group is of the opinion that the Earth’s temperature will go down. This will make life on Earth impossible. Fire has been compared to desire and hatred. He conveys that humans let their desires rule and therefore it leads to unbearable consequences.

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 now considers the second option. He says that if the earth was to end twice then ice would have been competent enough. He compares ice to hatred. the human tendency of hatred has the equal power to end the world. although it is a slower process than desire. So, ice is equaly good as fire to destroy life on Earth and bring it to an end.

Word meaning Fire and Ice

Desire- wishing for something to happen

Favour- Support

Perish- Die

Suffice- Sufficient

Fire and Ice Poem NCERT Solutions

Q1. For Frost, what do ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for?
A. The word ‘fire’ stands for inclined. In the poem, pointing all types of lust and greed. In today’s world, mankind’s greed is endangering the very existence of the planet Earth. The word ‘ice’ in the poem indicates indifference and hatred which is as cold as ‘ice’.

Q2. How has Frost brought out the contrast ideas in the poem?
A. ‘Inclination’ propels us in hot chase 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. Write down the 2 different see about the end of the world?
A. There is a debate that is going on about the end of the world.People say that the world will end in fire or in ice.The world is transient, nothing is perennial in this universe.

Q 4. How does Robert Frost alert the common man?
A. Man is selfish, lustful, avaricious, hateful and indifferent.Robert Frost cautions the common man and says that he should not forget the bitter reality that everything in this world is transitory and death is indispensable.

Q5. Why does the author hold with those who favor fire?
A: The author takes sides with those who believe that the world will be spoil by fire.Frost connects fire with desire.According to the author, the inclination is powerful and would be a quick end. Moreover, the fact that he has had personal experience with desire leads him to first conclude that the world will end in fire.

Q6. Write the sum and thing of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’?
A: The crystal clear message that the poet is trying to give is that nothing in this world is eternal. Everything will perish either in ice or fire.We should, thus, not forget this supreme act and keep ourselves above all selfish matters.

Q7. Briefly write about the ideas concerning how the world will end?
A. The world will end as a direct result of either fire or ice.Some scientists believed that the world would be incinerated from its fierce core, while others were convinced that the coming ice age would spoil all living things on the Earth’s surface.Frost introduces a more emotional side, associating desire with fire and hatred with ice.The poem, thus,does not allow for any other opinions in the white and black discussion amid fire and ice.

Q8. To say that for annihilation ice is also great for the poet, what does ‘ice’ stand for? How is it substantial to bring annihilation?
A.‘Ice’ symbolizes hatred. Hate is just as powerful as inclination. While inclination consumes immediately, hate can occur and linger in people’s hearts and minds for years and sometimes even lifetimes.Hate consumers the hater perhaps even more than the group or person hated and it can ruin lives. Hate can, thus, be very sufficient and destructive to fetch annihilation.

Q 9. ‘But if it had to perish twice’. How will the world perish two times?
A. According to the poet, the world will end due to the ‘fire’, which symbolizes inclination. But if the world had to end two times then it will be due to the hatred symbolized by ‘ice’.The poet feels that there is enough hatred in the world that is spreading among the people.This hatred will end the world one day.

Q10. Which age-old question does the poem revolve around?
A. The poem revolves around the age-old question of whether the world will end in fire or ice. This is identical to another age-old question, whether it would be preferable to freeze to death or burn to death. The poet determines that either option would achieve its objective sufficiently well.

Q11. Discuss how rear most behavior can hasten the end of the world with respect to ‘Fire and Ice’?
A. ‘Fire’ symbolizes desire and ‘Ice’ symbolizes hatred. The inclination is a kind of intense love or wants that focuses people on getting and acquiring and possessing. Our society is full of people who spend their lives working to get a better and bigger TV,a more stylish car or a more extravagant house. This kind of Inclination can lead people to annihilation in the form of bankruptcy or even broken relationships.Frost’s poem speaks on the issue of greed corrupting people and even society. The power of hate, which is symbolized by ice is just as great as Inclination. While Inclination consumes quickly hate produces shy yet restrained devastation.For instance,Kate is the root cause of war and racism. It can linger in people’s minds for lifetimes. Moreover, it consumes the hater even more than the person hated. It thus ruins lives.

Q12. The poetry ‘Fire and Ice’, carries with it very deep thematic ideas. Detailed on this darkest trace of human quality?
A. Frost presents the 2 of the darkest traits of humanity the capacity to hate and the capacity to be consumed by desire or lust. Of the two, he attributes the greater of the 2 evils, is inclination.In giving inclination to the foremost position with regard to the destruction of the world,Frost is providing a powerful statement on the subject of jealousy and greed, saying that above all traits of humanity that is most likely to lead to its demise. Inclination represents the greatest problem that attributes to the cause of the war.However, he lessens the relative importance of hatred but still presents it as having the ability to lead to the destruction of the world if it were to happen for the 2nd time.

Q13. The author presents two reasons which will lead to the destruction of human quality. What values do you garner from the 2 possible reasons provided by him?
A. The poet provides and deals with two possible causes for the end of the world. He points more towards the emotional and sentimental and emotional side of the issue. As for him, fire denotes deep burning desire and passion, while ice is highlighted for its icy cold and hatred side of the emotions. He favors both the arguments and says that either the deep burning passion or the jealousy factor and cold hatred will push the people to walk on the path of destruction. The poet is sure of this destruction of human quality. He 1st talks about the destruction because of fire and in case this fails, then ice will end the world. The love that people have for one another will turn into hatred. In the race of climbing up and outdo one another, people will tend to hate each other. These negative emotions will become so strong that it will surpass all the love and lead to the destruction of humanity.

Q14. How will the world end? Support your answer with scientific clarification?
A. According to the scientists, the two reasons for the destruction of the world will be either fiery core of the ice age.In other words, either the deep heat or fire under the Earth beds will lead to natural calamities like volcano eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis which will one day end the world or the melting of ice from the snowy mountains due to global warming will shrink the world. Frost, thus, tries to warn people against the two greatest problems facing mankind and the consequences of human vices with an increased effectiveness.

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