RESEARCH PROJECT 599Literature of Poem "Fire and Ice" by Robert Frost

STYLE• The style in the writing can be described as the way or

method used by the writer to write something. Every author has developed his own typical style. And style can also be defined an inner voice with which a writer addresses the reader in the course of written thoughts. Basically style consists of four types and it differs from author to author.

STYLISTICS

• Stylistics is the branch of study in which language devices are studied. And these devices are thought to generate expressive or literary style. It has been the center of the studies since the ancient times. Some of the scholars declare it the kind of decorative element which decorates the thoughts of an author. Modern stylistics uses the devices of formal linguistics analysis attached with methods of literary criticism. 

LEVELS OF STYLISTIC ANALYSIS

• This analysis consists of six basic levels; Grammatical level, Phonological level, Lexical level, Semantic level, Morphological level, and Graphological level. 

ROBERT FROST’S BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

• Robert Frost was born on March 26, 1874, San Francisco. This is the place where his parent had moved from Pennsylvania after being married. His father died of tuberculosis. After the death of his father he with his mother lodged in Massachusetts. When he was admitted to Lawrence he showed keen interest in poetry and writing. He also took admission in Harvard University and other reputed institutes but despite of visiting all these institute he could not acquire a formal degree. 

When he left the school he adopted many professions one after another. At one time he was a school teacher and at another he was a cobbler and he also worked as an editor in Lawrence Sentinel. His first poem Butterfly appeared on The Independence. 1895 was the year which proved a fortunate year for Frost as he married his inspirational icon Elinor. Both of them moved to England in 1912. There in New Hampshire they tried their luck in forming but they failed badly. This was the occasion when Robert met his contemporaries like; Edward Thomas, Robert Graves, and Ezra Pound.   

It is a fact that his work is mainly attached with New England. Despite of all his universal messages in his poetry he is in fact a regional poet, pointed by great poet scholars. At an occasion J. F. Kennedy said;“He has bequeathed his nation a body of imperishable verse from which Americans will forever gain joy and understanding.”This great poet breathed his last on January 29, 1963.

STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF THE POEM “FIRE AND ICE” BY ROBERT FROST

INTRODUCTION OF THE POEM

• This is a beautifully written poem by Robert Frost. Initially it was published in Harper’s magazine. It revolves around the concept of “Armageddon”. In this poem poet tries to turn our thoughts towards many serious questions. Poet ponders upon the point that what the final fate of this world is whether it will end up by the extreme heat or extreme cold. In fact whole poem centers on the concept of desire and hate. Desire has been given embodiment of fire and hate has been compared with ice. 

PHONOLOGICAL LEVEL

• Phonology is the branch of linguistics that studies the organization of the sounds in language. It stresses the phonemes in language. Phonological level of a poem tells us how and when sound can be mixed in a poem. In this poem phonological characteristics are found in shape of Alliteration. Alliteration is the revision of the same sound in the beginning of a word. Line 3 and 4 alliteration of F has been selected;• From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire

PHONOLOGICAL LEVEL

• Another phonological feature which has been used in the poem is Assonance. Assonance is created when various words generate same vowel sound. In line 4 long O sound is presenting assonance and in line 5 short I sound is generating assonance. • I hold with those who favor fire

But if it had to perish twice,

• Consonance is the repetition of consonant sound to bless the poem a specific rhythm. In line 6 word N is creating the consonance;• I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice•             Rhyme scheme of the poem consists of ABA, ABC,

BCB. Even two words fire and ice can be rhymed with the poem. Selection of the words basically presents the whole purpose of the poem. 

PHONOLOGICAL LEVEL

PARALLELISM

• Repetition of same words in the beginning of the lines is called Parallelism. Starting two lines consist of this device;• Some say the world will end in fire

Some say in ice.

SYMBOLISM

• Symbolism is a certain technique through apparently poet uses another thing to represent other one. In this poem Fire is the ignition of desire. Keen emotions can be said to be presented through Fire. At the other hand hatred and extreme loathsomeness have been presented through Ice. 

ALLUSION

• Technique of allusion has been also used. Allusion is an indicator which points to historical place, person or a thing. In the poem when poet talks about fire who points at global warming and when he discusses ice he discusses inwardly age of ice. • Some say the world will end in fire

Some say in ice

IMAGERY

• Poem’s vocabulary consists of powerful words like; fire, desire, perish and destruction. Through the use of these words poet has been successful in creating awe, fear and suspense in reader’s mind while reciting the poem keenly. Imagery is the art of creating some scenes or images through the use of selected words.

UNDERSTATEMENT

• It is another significant device which has been used by the poet. It increases the meanings and impact of the poem. Beginning two lines consist of the point of typical people who can be said a sect or a group. 

FORM

• This poem follows an invented form. On irregular basis interweaves three rhymes and two line length into a poem of 9 lines. Every lines is consisting of four or eight syllables.