Hurricane Hits England Flashcards
why does the poem begin in third person but switch to first person?
it’s as if the speaker feels she’s outside of herself at the beginning of the poem but becomes more comfortable as the poem proceeds
context
- born in 1950
- about a large storm that hit England in 1987
- about the clash of cultures between Guyana and England
- born in Guyana and lived in a small coastal village for 8 years
- Emigrated to England in 1977
what quote is “LSDAS”?
“like some dark, ancestral spectre”
analysis of “like some dark, ancestral spectre”
- “spectre” is a ghost, phantom, something menacing
- simile
- “ancestral” - reference to family or past, close bond with the past
- “ancestral spectre” - worshipping spirits of ancestors - ghost of ancestors rebuking poet for leaving her home
what quote is “TTMHTTMOTTMS”?
“talk to me Huracan talk to me Oya talk to me Shango”
analysis of “talk to me Huracan talk to me Oya talk to me Shango”
- shift to first person
- “Huracan”, “Oya” and “Shango” are the names of storm gods.
- form of language spoken by people in a particular area
- “Huracan” - carib god of hurricanes
- “Oya” - African goddess of winds
- “Shango” - god of thunder and lightning
what quote is “TBI”?
“the blinding illumination”
analysis of “the blinding illumination”
- contrasts power of storm
- compares electricity of lightning with manmade electricity
- lightning may be metaphor for enlightenment the storm brings
who is the poet?
Grace Nichols
poet intentions
to teach readers to embrace those parts of their identity that seemed to not belong
reader reaction
feel inspired to embrace and appreciate their culture
themes
- nature
- appreciation of culture
- power of storms