Can you find the figurative language in this poem???


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.


Yes, this is the figurative language that Frost has used in this poem:


The ideas of ice and fire carry deep connotations, recollect the sensations and feelings they embody. Fire, for instance, elicits a feeling of light and heat, as well as pain and burning. Frost has used this image very well to create dual meaning of both ice and fire and then draw the attention of the readers towards nature of a warning he expresses.


This poem is a commentary upon two dark traits of humanity, hate and lust. Fire stands for desire or lust and ice is a symbol for hate. The poet tells how these two extreme emotions would destroy the world.


This is one of the most effective and powerful tool that Frost has used in this poem. He says twice “some say” in the very first two lines. Ostensibly, it represents just a group of individuals who have their way of belief that how this world would end. However, calling them “some” he is in fact minimizing their size, making it appear unimportant, which directly stands contrast to what he is establishing on the surface, downfall of humanity. Another understatement occurs in final line, which is “and would suffice.” This again is a direct contrast to the preceding line that tells the strength of hatred and its negative effects.