Fire and Ice Extra Questions

Fire and Ice Extra Questions

Robert Frost wrote this poem. Two opposing viewpoints are presented on the end of humanity and the end of the world. As a consequence of these two possibilities, he discusses how the end of the world can be brought about. During the course of the poem, the poet is left with a deep impression that people have a deep hatred for each other in their hearts. There is no doubt that this hatred will be sufficient to freeze the entire planet towards death. The result of this is that the fire of evil desires and the ice of wicked hatred is enough to destroy the world as a whole. There is a requirement in this chapter for students to prepare Fire and Ice extra questions for the exams, and it also discusses saving the planet.

Fire and Ice Extra Questions

1. What do ‘Fire’ and ‘Ice’ symbolize in the poem ‘Fire’ and ‘Ice’? 

Answer: ‘Fire’ and ‘Ice’ are symbolized here. ‘Fire’ stands for conflict, fury, intolerance, insensitivity while ‘Ice stands for greed, avarice, lust, rigidity, coldness, indifference, hatred, etc. 

2. How can fire destroy the world?

Answer:‘ Fire’ symbolizes passion or hatred. It will lead to conflicts and ultimately result in the destruction of the world. Fire represents desire that is fervent, consuming, always wanting more. Ice represents hatred that is hard and cold.

3. Fire and Ice projects a pessimistic outlook. Comment.

Answer: According to me, ‘Fire and Ice’ projects a realistic outlook rather that a pessimistic one. The poet brings forth the view that the world will soon end. It can be either by fire or ice. He mentions that he has tasted everything in life after the World War I. So, it would soon end either with greed or indifference.

4. To say that for destruction, ice is also great for the poet, what does ice stand for? How is it sufficient to bring destruction? 

Answer.:Ice stands for the cold feelings of the humans such as indifference, hatred, greed, jealousy, apathy, lack of love, cold-heartedness, etc. Although the poet states that he believes fire would bring an end to the world, he also states that if the world has to end twice, then ice or the cold feelings of people are also great to end the world.

5. What will fire do to the world?

Answer: Fire will put the world to an end.

6. How does the poet ‘know enough of hate’? Where will this ‘hate’ lead to?

Answer: ‘Icy’ or cold reasoning can lead to rigidity, indifference and insensitiveness. This can take away all warmth of human feelings, love and sympathy. The result can be disastrous. ‘Hatred’ born out of cold and ‘Icy’ reasoning can lead to the destruction of the world.

7. Write down the two different views about the end of the world? 

Answer: 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. World is transitory, nothing is perennial in this universe.

8. Evaluate the line- Some say the world will end in fire/Some say in ice- in the context of volcanic eruptions, forest fires, meteor collisions, melting ice caps, etc.

Answer: This line from the poem is justified by the examples given. The forces of nature can also cause a similar impact on the world. Calamities due to heat like volcanoes, forest fires and meteor collisions can burn everything. On the other hand, melting of ice caps can also increase the sea level and cause submergence which will ultimately lead to end of the world.

9. How will the world end twice?

Answer: The poet says that both fire and ice are destructive. Here fire stands for the heat of desire and ice stands for hatred. He thinks that our violent desires will end the world. If it survives, it will be ruined by hatred. 

10. Why does the poet hole with those who favour fire?

Answer: The poet sides with those who believe that the world will be destroyed by the fire. ‘Fire’ is a symbol of desire. The poet has already experienced the desire. On the basis of his experience, he knows that excessive desire will destroy the world. That is why he holds with those who favour fire. 

11. What deep meaning does the poem ‘Fire and Ice’ carry in it ?

Answer: The Poet has compared Frost to the dark side of humanity i.e., hatredness and lust. According to the poet lust is a greater evil. Desire or lust is the cause of war. Hatredness is also harmful. So the poem ‘Fire and Ice’ represents that the two evils hated and lust lead to the destruction of the world.

12. How does the use of language help in making the poem effective and meaningful?

Answer: Frost chooses words from everyday talk. The poem is full of colloquial tone and conversational language. The contrast between simple and precise vocabulary and the vague gravity of its subjects makes the poem serious and meaningful. The abrupt beginning of the opening sets the tone of the speech and makes the poem vivid and lively.

13. Who is the author of the poem “Fire and Ice”?

Answer: Robert Frost is the author of the poem “Fire and Ice.”