“Fire and Ice”
1-) Paraphrase the poem.
Some say the world will end in fire, (a)
Some say the world will end by fire burning it up, but
Some say in ice. (b)
some say it will freeze over with ice. From what I know
From what I’ve tasted of desire (a)
about the emotion desire,
I hold with those who favor fire. (a)
I agree with those who say the world will end by fire.
But if it had to perish twice, (b)
But if the world has to end a second time,
I think I know enough of hate (c)
I think that, based on what I know about the emotion hate,
To say that for destruction ice (b)
When it comes to destroying things, ice
is also great (c)
is also great
And would suffice. (b)
and would do the job just fine.
2-) Summary of the poem:
Fire and ice are complete opposites, and so are desire and hate; yet, the speaker states that each has equal power
and is capable of causing the same destruction as its opposite.
3-) Identify examples of literary elements. Be sure to label each element and describe/explain it.
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
IMPLIED METAPHOR:
comparing desire to fire
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
IMPLIED METAPHOR:
comparing hate to ice
SITUATIONAL IRONY:
Fire and ice are opposites
but are capable of causing
the same destruction.
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
is also great
And would suffice.
SITUATIONAL IRONY:
Desire and hate are
opposites but are capable of
causing the same
destruction.
4-) Who is the speaker? unknown
5-) What is the tone? pessimistic; cautionary
6-) What is the theme? Human emotions such as desire and hate are powerful and destructive enough to end the
world.
7-) Does the poem rhyme? If so, what’s the rhyme scheme? yes; a-b-a-a-b-c-b-c-b
8-) Does the poem have rhythm? yes
9-) With what emotion does the speaker indirectly compare fire? desire
Ice? hate
10-) How is desire like fire? Desire is a burning, all-consuming passion. A person can burn with desire and be
consumed by it just as by fire. (Think of the phrase “a burning desire.”)
11-) How are hate and ice similar? Both ice and hate are cold, hard, cutting and painful. (Think of the phrase
used to describe a hateful person: “cold as ice.”)
12-) What is the effect of the word “suffice” at the end of the poem? (Think about what the word looks and
sounds like). It sounds like the word “suffer,” which reinforces the terrible power of hate.
13-) Create a graffiti wall that best captures what this poem means to your group.