Exposure and Storm on the Island Flashcards
In Exposure, what is the poem about?
The harsh weather conditions of living in the trenches rather than any fighting. The conflict between man and nature.
In Exposure, what is the key quotation? what is it? and what effect does it have?
‘merciless iced east winds knife us.. ‘ - sibilance captures the hissing sound of the wind, personifies the weather to represent nature’s power.
In Exposure, other than the conflict between man and nature, what other form of conflict is presented?
There is no real sense of understanding; questioning their existence/purpose.
In Exposure, what is the link to another poem?
Remains, both show the tragedy of war and effect on serving soldiers, both first-person narrative, graphic images of death and warr.
In Exposure, what type of structure is there? (What does this create?)
The poet uses a consistent structure to create the static tone of the poem, the lack of charge adds to the tone of despair.
The short last line stanza emphasises hoplessness.
In SOTI, what is the poem about?
Nature vs man, Heaney presents people’s fears through a description of an isolated cottage exposed to a storm. Also a hint of war and conflict when the weather is described with ‘bombardment’ and ‘salvo’.
In SOTI, what is the key quotations of the poem?
‘Exploding comfortably’ - reminds us of natures destructive power, oxymoron implies that we only feel safe when we ‘squat in our houses’.
‘A huge nothing that we fear’ (the last line) - oxymoron, our fear is paradox, behind the walls and prepared, we do not need to fear therfore the weather (and God) lose their power.
In SOTI, what does the language create?
The poem follows natural speech patterns, like he is directly talking to us.
Violent language highlights the power of nature over man.
Rough and rural language creates an agricultural tone.
In SOTI, what is a link to another poem?
The Extract, from the Prelude - both poets reflect on nature’s power, for Wordsworth, it’s the power which overwhelms his imagination. Whereas, Heaney explores the fears of man combined with the destructiveness of nature and the weather.
