Fire and Ice

Fire and Ice written by Robert Frost uses three figures of speech. It uses alliteration, anaphora, and paradox. Alliteration is the use of the same consonant at the beginning of each stressed syllable in a line of verse. Alliteration is used in the lines “Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice (Frost, lines 1 and 2)”, and “I hold with those who favor fire (Frost, line 4).” Alliteration is used by repetition of "S" in some and say. It is used in the "H" in hold and the "H" sound in “who”. Alliteration is also used in favor fire.

Anaphora uses a pronoun or similar word instead of repeating a word used earlier. Anaphora is in "Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice (Frost, lines 1 and 2)". It is used with "some say" when it is said twice.

A paradox is a statement that contradicts itself. The paradox in Fire and Ice is "But if it had to perish twice (Frost, line 5)". It is a paradox because nothing can die twice. Another paradox, and also an understatement, would be, “To know that for destruction ice is also great and would suffice (Frost, lines 7, 8, and 9).” It is a paradox because it says that ice is very destructible then goes on to say it would only suffice.

Fire and Ice is a lyric poem that expresses the thoughts and feelings of the poet. A lyric poem may resemble a song in form or style. Fire and Ice uses the rhyme scheme ABAABCBCB. The poem contains three units of end rhyme. The first unit consists of lines 1, 3, and 4. The second consists of lines 2, 5, 7, and 9. The third consists of lines 6 and 8.

Robert Frost wrote Fire and Ice in iambic tetrameter. These lines are 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. It also uses iambic diameter in lines 2, 8, and 9. In iambic tetrameter, a line has four pairs of syllables. Each pair has an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. In iambic diameter a line has two pairs of syllables. Each pair has an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. The first two lines of the poem demonstrate the tetrameter-diameter format.

The author did a great job at making his point in his poem. He made it clear that as long as the world ended then he would be content. The strongest element of the poem was the theme of destruction of the world. He did so by saying he would rather have the world end in fire but ice would be suitable just as long as the world ended. The rhyme scheme contributed to the poem greatly. It did so because it divides the poem into proper sections while it also makes the poem flow.

In general, Fire and Ice is an interesting poem. The poem leaves the reader feeling thoughtful about ways the world can end and then the deeper meaning into fire and ice. The poem can give the reader a new perspective on feelings and what your actions can lead to.

It is a thought provoking poem because Robert Frost keeps the tone wistful. He talks of the world ending and how he would rather have it end in fire but also be content in ice, as long as it ends. Reading Fire and Ice can make one think about the future and the way how emotions can be catastrophic.