Question

Write the central idea of the following poem in about 40 words :
Fire and Ice

Hint:

When asked for a central idea, focus on the symbolic meaning of the key elements in the poem. Here, explaining what 'fire' and 'ice' represent is crucial to conveying the poem's core message about human emotions.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the central theme or main message of Robert Frost's poem "Fire and Ice" in approximately 40 words.
Step 2: Identifying the Central Idea:
The poem explores the destructive potential of human emotions. The poet equates 'fire' with intense desire, passion, and greed, and 'ice' with hatred, coldness, and indifference. He concludes that both these extremes are powerful enough to bring about the end of the world.
Step 3: Composing the Answer (Model Response):
The central idea of "Fire and Ice" is that destructive human emotions can lead to the world's end. The poet suggests that desire, symbolized by 'fire', and hatred, symbolized by 'ice', are both equally powerful forces of destruction, capable of annihilating humanity and the world.