English Language & Literature — CBSE Class 10 board question

In the poem, fire symbolises desire — intense human emotions like greed, lust, and passion. The poet says, "From what I've tasted of desire / I hold with those who favour fire." Just as fire spreads rapidly and consumes everything, human desire, when unchecked, becomes all-consuming. It drives people toward greed, conflict, and fury, ultimately destroying relationships, values, and civilisation itself. Frost believes this burning intensity of desire is powerful enough to bring about the complete destruction of the world.

Source: Fire and Ice, Chapter 1

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• The key link examiners want is: fire = desire, and desire leads to destruction.
• Quote at least one line from the poem — this earns a mark.
• Name specific emotions fire symbolises (greed, lust, fury) — these come from the textbook's suggested list.
• Don't spend time on ice; the question asks only about fire.