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

          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.