Hanna Andyani, an English teacher from Mojokerto, East Java, Indonesia, analyzes a poem entitled Fire and Ice composed by Robert Frost. She says that the poem is interesting and simple as well as meaningful so that it is suitable for students of Junior High School.
“FIRE AND ICE”
By Robert Frost (1874-1963)
Some say the world will end in fireSome say in iceFrom what I’ve tasted of desireI hold with those who favor fireBut if it had to perish twiceI think I know enough of hateTo say that for destruction iceIs also greatAnd would suffice
1. Type of poem : Free-form poem
2. Poetic devices :
a. Rhyme scheme : a-b-a-a-b-c-b-c-b
b. Rhythm :
Line 1 : Iambic Pentameter
Line 2 : Iambic Dimeter
Line 3 : Iambic Pentameter
Line 4 : Iambic Pentameter
Line 5 : Iambic Tetrameter
Line 6 : Iambic Pentameter
Line 7 : Iambic Pentameter
Line 8 : Iambic Dimeter
Line 9 : Iambic Dimeter
c. Alliteration : The S --> Some Say --> in the first and second lines
The F --> Favor Fire --> in the fourth line
d. No Onomatopoeia
e. Repetition : The word “Fire” in the first and fifth lines
The word “ Ice “ in the second and seventh lines
The phrase “Some Say” in the first and second lines
f. No Comparison
3. Style : Imagery
4. Poetic Diction :
a. Denotation :
1) “Some say” represent knowledge of a group of people.
2) “ I know “ suggest personal experience
3) “ End”, “ Fire”, “ Ice”, “ Perish”, “ Destruction” all denote death and destruction
b. Connotation : “ Fire”, “Desire”, and “Taste” suggest passion/consumption.
c. No Allusion
d. No Parody
e. Repetition : The word “Fire” in the first and fifth lines
The word “ Ice “ in the second and seventh lines
The phrase “Some Say” in the first and second lines
f. No Ambiguity
g. No Pun
h. Paradox : “ But if I had to perish twice “, while a person is unable to die two times.
i. No Irony
j. Imagery/juxtaposition : Fire and Ice à Desire and Hate
1) “ Fire”, when uncontrolled, viciously consumes all around it, wanting more and more as it grows. In a relationship, this fire can be set off in an instant. Desire, or jealousy, can occur in a relationship, and consequently can consume an individual until there is nothing left to burn
2) “ Ice”, similarly hate forces the other person away, driving the life out of relationship. When left uncontrolled, these darker emotions can bring about the end of a relationship.
4. Tone : Fear
5. Symbol :
a. “Fire” is directly equated with desire
b. “Ice” represents hate
c. “The world” as a symbol for a relationship
6. Content :
a. Theme : The danger of extremism
b. Message : People should control their desire and hate feeling in a relationship.
7. Comment
This poem is interesting and simple, but has deep meaning, so that it is suitable for students of Junior High School.
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