Literary Devices Literary Devices    

Lesson 25: Allusion: Fire and Ice

by Robert Frost

Performer: Librivox - Kara Shallenberg

Directions

Study the poem for one week.

Over the week:

• Read or listen to the poem.
• Review the synopsis.
• Read about the poet.
• Complete the enrichment activities.

Synopsis

In 'Fire and Ice,' Robert Frost ponders whether fire or ice will bring about the end of the world. He remarks that either will do, but he believes fire will win out. Frost makes what some see as an allusion to the Christian Bible in the poem. 'Some say the world will end in fire,' can be linked to Peter 3:7, which states, 'the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment.' In the Bible, the day of judgement is the final trial of all humankind, when each is rewarded or punished according to his or her merits. Frost makes a second scientific allusion that the world may end in ice, perhaps due to our ever-expanding universe. An alternative interpretation of the poem advocates that fire stands for desire and ice for hatred. Either too much desire or too much hatred could potentially bring about the end of humanity via means such as nuclear warfare.

Concepts

Poets often use literary devices, defined as 'rules of thumb, convention, or structure that are employed in literature and storytelling.'

The nine literary devices we'll study include:

1. Rhyming
2. Alliteration
3. Similes
4. Metaphors
5. Personification
6. Foreshadowing
7. Allusion
8. Hyperbole
9. Onomatopoeia

Allusion is a literary device whereby an author makes a reference to something supposed to be known, but not explicitly mentioned.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite Poem Information

Recite the title of the poem and the name of the poet.

Activity 2: Study the Poem Picture

Study the poem picture and describe how it relates to the poem. How does the image differ from the poem?

Activity 3: Recite the Poem

Practice reciting the poem aloud.

Activity 4: Identify Allusions in the Examples

Read aloud the examples below and identify the allusions.

• The little boy lined up his animals in pairs, like the animals going onto Noah's Ark. (The Bible)
• He loved her as much as Romeo loved Juliet. (Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet)
• Cupid must have hit her with his bow. She's head over heels for him. (Greek/Roman Mythology)
• Her lips curled into a Mona Lisa smile. (Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting - Mona Lisa)

Activity 5: Identify the Rhyme Scheme

Review the poem and identify the pattern of its rhyming scheme. (e.g. ABBACDCD, etc.)

Activity 6: Identify Alliteration

Review the poem and point out any instances of alliteration.

Activity 7: Identify the Allusions

Review the poem excerpts and identify any allusions.

• Some say the world will end in fire,
• Some say in ice.

Activity 8: Complete Book Activities   

• Click the crayon above, and complete pages 76-78 of 'Elementary Poetry 5: Literary Devices.'

References

'Allusion.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.