An AP strategy for analyzing poetry

TPCASTTTITLE- first impression

PARAPHRASE - poem in your own words

CONNOTATION – figurative language

ATTITUDE – speaker’s tone

SHIFT – something changes

TITLE REVISITED – new insights

THEME – message about the human condition

FIRE AND ICE Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.From what I've tasted of desireI hold with those who favor fire.But if it had to perish twice,I think I know enough of hateTo say that for destruction iceIs also greatAnd would suffice.

Robert Frost

FIRE AND ICE

Some say the world will end in Some say the world will end in fire,fire,Some say in ice.Some say in ice.From what I've tasted of desireFrom what I've tasted of desireI hold with those who favor fire.I hold with those who favor fire.But if it had to perish twice,But if it had to perish twice,I think I know enough of hateI think I know enough of hateTo say that for destruction iceTo say that for destruction iceIs also greatIs also greatAnd would suffice. And would suffice.

Robert Frost

TITLE

Before reading the poem, what does the title suggest to you?

FIRE AND ICE

Some say the world will end in Some say the world will end in fire,fire,Some say in ice.Some say in ice.From what I've tasted of desireFrom what I've tasted of desireI hold with those who favor fire.I hold with those who favor fire.But if it had to perish twice,But if it had to perish twice,I think I know enough of hateI think I know enough of hateTo say that for destruction iceTo say that for destruction iceIs also greatIs also greatAnd would suffice. And would suffice.

Robert Frost

PARAPHRASE

Some people say the world will be destroyed by fire while others think we will freeze . I think it will be fire, but ice would work, too.

FIRE AND ICE

Some say the world will end in Some say the world will end in fire,fire,Some say in ice.Some say in ice.From what I've tasted of desireFrom what I've tasted of desireI hold with those who favor fire.I hold with those who favor fire.But if it had to perish twice,But if it had to perish twice,I think I know enough of hateI think I know enough of hateTo say that for destruction iceTo say that for destruction iceIs also greatIs also greatAnd would suffice. And would suffice.

Robert Frost

CONNOTATION

Desire / FireHate / IceDestruction

FIRE AND ICE

Some say the world will end in Some say the world will end in fire,fire,Some say in ice.Some say in ice.From what I've tasted of desireFrom what I've tasted of desireI hold with those who favor fire.I hold with those who favor fire.But if it had to perish twice,But if it had to perish twice,I think I know enough of hateI think I know enough of hateTo say that for destruction iceTo say that for destruction iceIs also greatIs also greatAnd would suffice. And would suffice.

Robert Frost

ATTITUDE

He says some think one way, some think another way—is this a balanced approach to the subject?What does a word like “suffice” suggest?

FIRE AND ICE

Some say the world will end in Some say the world will end in fire,fire,Some say in ice.Some say in ice.From what I've tasted of desireFrom what I've tasted of desireI hold with those who favor fire.I hold with those who favor fire.But if it had to perish twice,But if it had to perish twice,I think I know enough of hateI think I know enough of hateTo say that for destruction iceTo say that for destruction iceIs also greatIs also greatAnd would suffice. And would suffice.

Robert Frost

SHIFTWhere does he change the subject or change his tone?Look for “signal” words like:so still orhowever yet

but

FIRE AND ICE

Some say the world will end in Some say the world will end in fire,fire,Some say in ice.Some say in ice.From what I've tasted of desireFrom what I've tasted of desireI hold with those who favor fire.I hold with those who favor fire.But if it had to perish twice,But if it had to perish twice,I think I know enough of hateI think I know enough of hateTo say that for destruction iceTo say that for destruction iceIs also greatIs also greatAnd would suffice. And would suffice.

Robert Frost

TITLE

Revisit the title.Now that you know more about the poem, does the title take on any new meanings?

FIRE AND ICE

Some say the world will end in Some say the world will end in fire,fire,Some say in ice.Some say in ice.From what I've tasted of desireFrom what I've tasted of desireI hold with those who favor fire.I hold with those who favor fire.But if it had to perish twice,But if it had to perish twice,I think I know enough of hateI think I know enough of hateTo say that for destruction iceTo say that for destruction iceIs also greatIs also greatAnd would suffice. And would suffice.

Robert Frost

THEME

What is he trying to say about human nature or the human condition?