Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To know that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
By Robert Frost (1874-1963) (Poem first published in Harper’s Magazine, December issue 1920)
How do you think the world should end? Should it end in ice/good or will fire/ hate prevail? The poet Robert Frost asks this very human question for the reader to ponder. The poet’s tongue is planted firmly in cheek as he creates this visual picture of his thoughts of how he wouldn’t mind if either fire/hate or ice/love ended the world.
The poem is an imperfect rhyme that brings out the affect and tone of what Robert Frost is describing about this controversial subject. The setting is the present and is the poet’s thoughts for the future. Robert Frost’s tone is satirical, as he hints at the possibility that malevolence lurks beneath the otherwise orderly surface of the world. He implies a comparison in telling a poem with no answer about two subjects, allowing the reader to come to their own conclusions.
Robert Frost uses alliteration, in repetition in two or more clear words of initial consonant sounds to use with the word fire on line one and desire on line three. Fire on line four-rhymes with ice on line six and ice on line rhymes with suffice on the last line contributing to the poems by creating a melodious kind of rhyme that brings out the readers emotions. Robert Frost integrates all of these materials beautifully to achieve his satirical view.
I believe the poet’s intention is to speak against mankind’s nature to destroy each other either with a passionate angry “fire” or cold indifference “ice.” He himself is indifferent as he warns the reader about humanity’s nature to favor hate and indifference over love. The poem combines all the poet’s rage, detachment, humor and forthrightness to his fellow man. Robert Frost is telling his readers nonchalantly that Earth’s downfall will either be fiery hatred or the coldness of indifference toward one another and not wars, plagues. He explains that he has tasted desire and that he would favor fire, but if the world would have to end twice, cold indifference would then suffice. He is indifferent in the decision as he allows the readers to make the choice.
Robert Frost makes his offhand remark about man’s inevitable hand in the destruction of the world while sounding quite poetic in this brilliant poem. I think this poem is meant to be funny as well as thoughtful while remaining lyrically beautiful all the same time. You hear the poet’s serious statement while being satirical. You see the poet can’t really make up his mind how he would like the world to end.
He explains he has been true to desire having experienced it and knows enough about hating; that the world ending in cold indifference would also be alright as well. Although this poem is centuries old it still brings up the very human question of asking someone the rhetorical question of just how they would want the world to end
