Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Thursday, May 4, 2017
An Analysis of Symbolism in "Fire and Ice" by Robert Frost
By : Elvera Yuniarsih
Abstract
In
this paper, the writer tried to analyze "Fire and Ice" by Robert
Frost. The purpose of this study is to investigate the intrinsic elements as
fictional languages in this poem using close reading methods. Elements of
figurative languages that used in this study is symbolism. To conclude, Robert
Frost wants to tell that the fire describes as "Passion” and ice describes as "Rational”.
Keywords: Robert Frost, figurative language, symbolism
1. Introduction
Laurence
Perrine in her Sound and Sense: An
Introduction to Poetry stated that,
“The
content of poetry is definitely emotional. It presents the emotions of the poet
as they are aroused by some scene of beauty, some experience, some attachment.
For this reason it is often reach in sentiment and passion. The content of
poetry is, equally, imaginative compact with meaning, marked by power, beauty,
and dignity. In order to understand this fully, we need to understand what it
is that poetry says”. (1956:3).
2. Theoretical Framework
Figurative Languages
Figurative languages is a word or phrase that has a meaning something different than its
literal meaning. It can be a a different way of pronouncing a word or phrase
such as with alliteration to give further meaning or a different sound. There
are many types of Figurative languages, but in this paper, the writer only
focuses on Symbolism.
Symbolism
occurs when a noun which has meaning in itself is used to represent something
entirely different. Examples are:
a. Using an image of the American flag to
represent patriotism and a love for one’s country.
b. Using an apple pie to represent an
American lifestyle.
c. Using an apple to represent education.
3. Scope of The Study
The Scope of the study is to
analyze the symbolism in poetry “Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost.
4. The Poet, The Poem, and The
Paraphrase
4.1 Biography of the Poet
Robert Lee Frost was one of the most
important American poets of the 20th century. He was was born in San Francisco,
California, to journalist William Prescott Frost, Jr., and Isabelle Moodie. He
was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1960 for his poetic works and also
won the Pulitzer Prize four times and was asked to deliver poem at President
John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inauguration. He died of complications from prostate surgery
on January 29, 1963.
4.2 The Poem
In
this paper, the writer uses a poem entitled “Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost, which
is written in 1923.
4.3 The Paraphrase
Frost
raises questions about the fate of the world. He wonder whether this world is
likely to be destroyed by fire or ice. Some people say that the world will end
in fire, but some others say that it will end in ice. He come to his own
conclusion from what he have tasted of desire, so he hold with those people who
favor fire with its great flame to burn down the world. But if had to perish it
twice, He think he know enough the
potency of ice to create destruction. Ice is also great, and it would suffice
to freeze the world. Until it would be no longer lives at all.
5. Discussion
Symbolism
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
The
opening two lines of the poem present a very distinct dichotomy between fire
and ice and the two groups of people: one believing that fire will destroy the
world, and the other believing that ice will destroy the world. The great Fire
vs. Ice Debate is not one we’ve heard of before. So we must be dealing with
symbols. The poet presents only two options which will destroy the world. There
is no third element besides ice and fire. the narrator undercuts this
requirement by acknowledging that both elements could successfully destroy the
world. Though the poet uses the personal pronoun “I” for the speaker, he has
used “some” for the people to present it as a universal statement. Literally,
fire and ice are both ways that the human species could be extinguished. After
all, the world can’t end in ice and fire at the same time. Ice and fire also
represent two extremes which, on a grand enough scale, could cause immense
damage, and are fitting metaphors for harbingers of death.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire
Frost
does not go to a deep extent with the scientific beliefs and he introduces his
personal emotional sides. His desire with fire and hatred with ice is obvious
here. He has experienced “desire” (a “hot” emotion) so he thinks fire will end
the world. He know how powerful it is. The world “tasted” implies that he knows
a little about it. A connotation of “Desire” is “hot” because it relates to the
body. For example, love is warm and fuzzy, but jealously and desire can get out
of control. Moreover, the fact that he has had personal experience with both
(in the form of desire and hate) reveals that fire and ice are not mutually
exclusive, as the first two lines of the poem insist.
But if it had to perish twice
The
idea of the world ending (perish[ing]”) twice is a paradox. It seems that
“fire” wins over “ice” thus far.
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
The
speaker was sure that he has tasted desire, but he “thinks” he knows “enough”
about hate, a cold emotion, and he knows it can destroy. It is clear that
“desire” is associated with “love,” because its opposite is “hate.” You may
think that hate is hot (fire) because it is related to anger. But perhaps the
speaker is talking about slow and deliberate anger. The phrase “also great”
does not tell us how ice compares to fire. We can not say that ice is more
powerful that fire. He does not tell us that. When it comes to destruction, ice
is similar to fire. In fact, though the narrator first concludes that the world
will end in fire, he ultimately admits that the world could just as easily end
in ice; fire and ice, it seems, are strikingly similar.
And would suffice
The
last line suggest that it does not matter which is stronger. Both fire and ice
are destructive. “Suffice” means to be enough to have an effect. The word
“suffice” is also a very rational word. Frost seems to be demonstrating “icy”
thinking here.
6. Conclusion
In "Fire and Ice", Robert
Frost wants us to know that fire describes as "Passion", which is hot
and hasty and ice describes as "Rational", which is cool and
deliberate by using figurative language like symbolism. We know that we must
read the poem repeatedly to really have a deeper understanding of the poem, so
this symbolism analysis can help us to achieve that.
References
Figurative
Language
(http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/style-and-usage/Figurative-Language.html accessed on December 5, 2016)
Harvey, Sir Paul,
1967. The Oxford Companion to English Literature. London;
Oxford University Press, Elly House, London W.
Holt, Henry,
1949. The Complete Poems of Robert Frost. New York; New york, Henry holt and company.
Perrine,
Laurence. 1956. Sound and
Sense: An Introduction to Poetry. New
York: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc.
Robert Frost
Biography
(http://www.biography.com/people/robert-frost-20796091I accessed on December 4, 2016)
Thrall, William
Flint, and Addison Hibbard. 1960. A Handbook To Literature, Third Edition. Ed. C. Hugh
Holman. New York: The Odyssey Press.
Using Contextual
Analysis to evaluate texts
(http://english.unl.edu/sbehrendt/StudyQuestions/ContextualAnalysis.html accessed on December 5, 2016)
Perrine,
Laurence. 1956. Sound and
Sense: An Introduction to Poetry. New
York: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)