poetry - storm on the island

Question 1

“Strange, it is a huge nothing that we fear” - what is the meaning of this quote (technique and meaning)

Answer 1

Juxtaposition
and oxymoron of “huge” and “nothing” - show’s confidence

Question 2

“We are prepared” - what is the meaning of this quote (technique and meaning)

Answer 2

Strong statement - shows confidence in that the storm will not affect them

Question 3

“We are prepared: we build our houses squat” - what is the meaning of this quote (technique and meaning)

Answer 3

Caesura - break in the line - shows confidence

Question 4

“You can listen to the thing you fear / Forgetting that it pummels your house too” - meaning of the quote (technique and meaning)

Answer 4

Danger imagery - shows the change in emotion from confidence to accepting the storm is powerful

Question 5

“Spits like a tame cat / Turned savage” - what does this quote mean (technique and meaning)

Answer 5

Simile - vicious storm - ‘spits’ ‘savage’
deeper connotations - cat can be seen as evil (black)

Question 6

“We are bombarded by the empty air” - what is the meaning of the quote (technique and meaning)

Answer 6

Military metaphor - connotes the storm and battle deeper