Abstract

Robert Frost, who was a celebrated American poet, juxtaposes the elemental forces of fire and ice to symbolize human yearning and abhorrence, ultimately presenting them as equally potent agents of cosmic doom. This study utilized a qualitative exploratory research design, and employed a thematic analysis to explore apocalyptic imagery in Frost’s Fire and Ice. The study was conducted within the theoretical framework of New Criticism. The diction of the poem served as the primary text, and the secondary literatures drawn from scholarly articles and critical texts published between 2021 and 2025 were used to support the analysis. The analysis reveals that fire and ice embody apocalyptic imagery that reflects human desire and hatred. It suggests that such extreme emotions can lead to the destruction of the earth. The findings provide valuable insights for students, literature teachers, and researchers by enriching the understanding of thematic and symbolic structures in poetry. By elucidating the interplay between human emotions and apocalyptic imagery, this research contributes to literary scholarship and promotes a deeper engagement with Frost’s poetic oeuvre.

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