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Question
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? How does it help in bringing out the contrasting ideas in the poem?
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Solution
The rhyme scheme of the poem is: a b a a b c b c b
The rhyme scheme highlights the contrast between fire and ice in the poem. The poet says that both can destroy the world. Fire stands for uncontrolled desire and greed, while ice represents hatred, coldness, and indifference. In the second part of the poem, the poet says that there is enough hatred in the world to believe that ice alone is also powerful enough to bring about the end of the world.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
For Frost, what do ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for? Here are some ideas:
| Greed | Avarice | Cruelty | Lust |
| Conflict | Fury | Intolerance | Rigidity |
| Insensitivity | Coldness | Indifference | Hatred |
Explain why the poet personally holds the conviction that the world will primarily end in fire?
(Fire and Ice)
Read the given extract and answer the following questions.
| 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. |
i. Fill the blank with one word. (1)
When the speaker says that ice could also bring about the end of the world, he refers to _______ as the means for destruction.
ii. What does the speaker’s alignment with those who favour ice suggest? (1)
iii. Which of the following best describes the speaker's attitude towards destruction caused by ice?
- Indifferent
- Fearful
- Dismissive
- Respectful
iv. Comment on the poet’s use of language in these lines. (2)
