Robert Frost’s song “Mending Wall”, about barriers, explains why we all need them. A barrier is necessary to protect people from harm. Robert Frost’s “Fire and Ice” is another great poem. The two sides of the argument about how the world could end are discussed. It’s either going be full flames with everyone on fire, or freezing. The theme behind “Mending Wall” was that nature can be powerful. This is also true of “Fire and Ice.” Using imagery and symbols, the author created a theme that focuses on nature.
The Free Dictionary describes imagery as using vivid or figurative words to represent things, actions, and ideas. The book “Mending Wall” contains many images. One of these is “We use our fingers rough” where the speaker says that his hands are tired from building. Images are used to create a visual and tell a tale. It is the repeated line “Something There Is That Doesn’t Love a Wall” that stands out. It is important to look closely at repeated lines, words, and phrases because they are likely to have some significance. It is easy to see that the speaker’s neighbor and himself/herself have to rebuild a wall every year because the wall has fallen down. It would stay standing if it was wanted by nature. It would stay there. This poem uses imagery to help the reader visualize what’s happening. Imagine the “loaves” being constructed and the stone walls. You can imagine the speaker casting a spell to keep the stone in place, and then laughing by himself as his neighbor did not laugh.
Imagery is used in “Fire and Ice” as well. “Some claim that the world’s end will be a fire,” is a good example. Images are used as a way to provoke the reader’s imagination and make them think. Will it be ice, or will it be fire? The speaker at first agrees to the side of the fire. But by the end, he realizes ice could be equally harmful. The two things are equally unpleasant, but it’s difficult to choose one. Imagery plays a big role in this poem. For example, when “Some Say the World Will End in Fire” appears, it forces the reader’s mind to picture a burning world. It’s horrendous. When he speaks “Some people say in ice,” it makes you think of an ice-age. You see the world as frozen and still.
A symbol is an object that represents something by association or representation. (The Free Dictionary) A source of information that can be accessed without cost. Fences are used as a symbol in “Mending Wall”. The poem repeats the phrase “Good fences are good neighbors” several times. Fences represent the barrier that surrounds everyone. Everyone wants to protect themselves. They will feel more secure if they can conceal their true identity. The barrier is the only thing that can protect people. Even invisible armor is needed by everyone.
The symbol of “Fire and Ice” is ice. “Some say in Ice” doesn’t mean cold. As the speaker continues to say, “I believe I know hate enough/To say ice/Is good for destruction.” It is possible that the hatred people feel for one another will lead to the destruction of earth. In order to avoid the end of the world in ice, we need more love and warmth. Both poems hide deeper meanings behind symbols. The reader is forced to think deeply about the meaning.
Each poem uses imagery and symbols to create a theme about nature. Each poem is a discussion of something nature-related, and all concern the destruction caused by nature. The wall is destroyed by nature each year in “Mending Wall.” It is important to let go of barriers and allow people to get closer. It is through the connections that people form with others that they reach their goals in life. In “Fire and Ice,” the world could end either in fire or ice. Nature is being destroyed. In the case of ice, hatred will be the cause for the destruction of Earth. In the absence of love, the world could come to an end. Both poems consider human connection when discussing nature. People can remove barriers. Take them down only for those who are important. Hate can be very strong. If we keep on hating, it will make the world a lonely and cold place.
