An Analysis of "Fire and Ice"

 

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 say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

This poem titled “Fire and Ice” raises a question about the fate of the world, wondering if it will more likely be destroyed by fire or ice. Both sides of the debate have supporters, and Frost introduces the narrator to display his own take on the question of the world’s end. The narrator first makes the conclusion that the world must end in fire after the consideration of experiences with desire and passion, the emotions fire is associated with. However, after considering his experience with ice, which signifies hatred, the narrator acknowledges that ice could easily be just as destructive.

In the first two lines of the poem, Frost creates a clear contrast between fire and ice and the two types of people connected to each natural element. In using the word “some” instead of “I” or a specific individual, Frost suggests that the separation between the two elements is a universal truth, not just an idea supported by one individual. Besides the obvious contradiction between fire and ice, the first lines also frame Frost’s claim that the world will end as a result of these elements, either fire or ice. It is at this point not made clear which one will destroy the world; however, they are the only options presented—something significant to note. The poem doesn’t present any additional possibilities for the cause of the world’s fate, making it a black and white debate between fire and ice, as well as their associated emotions.

Although at the surface the argument seems scientific, arguing whether the world will end in a frozen state or as a fiery inferno, Frost introduces a more emotional side through the feelings associated with the two elements. While passionate desire is connected to fire (“From what I’ve tasted of desire, I hold on to those that favor fire”) , hatred is generally associated with ice (“I think I know enough of hate, to say that for destruction ice, is also great”). This underlying emotional context creates a whole other level of understanding of the poem’s meaning. This metaphorical view of the two elements allows the world to be recognized as a metaphor for a relationship, also connecting to the relationships of the people who inhabit it. Passion and fire consume a relationship very rapidly, but the hatred of cold can destruct the relationship just as well. Frost’s poem raises the question of “which is worse”?

          While in the first two lines of the poem only allow a single choice between fire and ice, the narrator undercuts this assertion through acknowledgement that both elements could be successful in destroying the world. Also the experience of their associated emotions, which often occur in conjunction, reveals that fire and ice are not exactly mutually exclusive as suggested in the first two lines, but rather that they are equally destructive leading to the conclusion that while world will end in fire, it could just as easily end in ice. Two very different elements in reality are proven to be surprisingly similar, both possessing the power to destroy the world.

 

Allusions to Paradise Lost Seen in Frankenstein

            The novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, is centered on the story of Victor Frankenstein and his creation and subsequent abandonment of a creature he brings to life from various body parts. Following the achievement of creating this life form, thus completing his quest for the glory and knowledge of the secret to life, the hideous creature is no longer acceptable to Frankenstein and is subsequently abandoned. Left to the world to fend for itself and learn how to live in society, the creature goes off on its own and is able to educate itself, but spurned by society comes to resent his creator and turns to a quest for vengeance. Throughout the story line of the novel allusions to Milton’s Paradise Lost are evident, particularly in character traits and roles, and additionally in specific references to the book.  Shelley parallels Paradise Lost through the sharing of characteristics between Victor and his creation and Milton’s characters of God, Adam, Eve, and Satan.

            The story of Paradise Lost is ultimately a twist on the story of Adam and Eve found in the Bible, and concern’s their disobedience and subsequent fall from grace. Satan and Rebel angels decide to Corrupt God’s creations—Adam and Eve, so Satan builds a bridge between Hell and Earth. God then creates a council of angels and his son (Jesus Christ) volunteers himself to make a sacrifice for all of humankind. Disguised as a cherub, Satan proceeds to enter Paradise which in the Bible is called Eden. Satan perches himself atop the tree of life as Adam and Eve tend to the garden, and angels soon realize he may be evil. Eve has a dream of being tempted by an Angel, who is in reality Satan, and God then sends Raphael as a warning, and he cautions Adam against his unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Satan takes the form of a snake, and tempts Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge and after Adam finds out and eats the fruit as well, they both turn to a life of lust. Upon news of this sin, God decides to punish them and Adam and Eve both blame each other for the sin that has occurred. Adam wonders while God ever created Eve, and Eve begs him not to abandon her as she believes they can survive by loving each other. After praying and repenting to God, God sends Michael down to earth to tell Adam and Eve they must leave paradise. After putting Eve to sleep, he takes Adam onto the highest hill and shows him the future that God will bring to the earth, including Jesus, and when Eve awakes, both of them walk into the new world of Earth. Paradise Lost is paralleled in Frankenstein through the characteristics shared between Victor and his creation and Milton’s Characters of God, Adam, Eve, and Satan.

            First, Adam can be connected to Victor Frankenstein, while the monster can be connected to Eve. Like Adam, Victor has an intense thirst for knowledge, which ultimately leads to his sin. Like Adam’s thirst for knowledge that leads him to sin and eat the fruit, Victor’s thirst for knowledge leads him to create the monster which is sinful itself due to the placement of himself above God by playing creator, but more importantly leads to his major sin of abandoning the creature he has brought to life—an event that like the first sin of eating the fruit, leads to many other sins. Additionally, like Adam’s anger towards Eve for her sin, Frankenstein also shows anger towards his creation, who parallels Eve, for his sinful way of being a “wretched beast”.  The monster, Like Eve, was created from Adam, or in this case Victor. Additionally Eve turns to sin, like the monster’s turn to evil rage, but still desires love, just as the Monster deep down truly wants. Besides these major connections, Satan can also be connected to the Monster due to his evil and revenge, while Victor can also be connected to God for his role in creation. While these roles parallel, motives do not necessarily match up.

            Perhaps most thought-provoking parallel used by Shelley is the one that is explicitly stated by the monster. While trying to understand language, the monster reads Paradise Lost and arrives a conclusion about his own existence. In Frankenstein, Victor comes across his creation while alone on a hike, and the creature commands Victor to listen to his story. The creature tells the story of what happened after fleeing Frankenstein’s lab, which is essentially a story of how he came to understand his existence and society’s views on him. The monster says to Victor “remember, that I am thy creature: I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel.” By comparing Victor to God, the monster places responsibility for his evil actions upon Victor, reprimanding him for his negligent failure to offer a nurturing environment.