Poetry - Storm on the Island by Seamus Heaney

Question 1

Give context for ‘Storm on the Island’

Answer 1

• The poem is part of a three-poem segment in the collection ‘Death of a Naturalist’ which focused on the Aran Islands and how nature shows its power there (Aran Islands are used traditionally in Irish poetry as a symbol of Irish culture)
• ‘Death of Naturalist’ (the title) is demonstrates the violence of nature rather than a romanticised view of its beauty

Question 2

Describe the rhyme scheme and rhythm in Storm on the Island

Answer 2

• There is no consistent rhyme scheme, reflecting how order cannot be enforced upon nature.
• The lack of rhyme scheme relates to the omnipotence of nature
• The very controlled rhythm shows human power resisting power and chaos of a storm

Question 3

Describe the volta in’ Storm on the Island’

Answer 3

• The poem shifts tone from optimistic to fear
• This reflects the final calm before a storm and also the inability for the islanders to prepare for it properly as they cannot see it coming

Question 4

Describe the enjambement in the ‘Storm on the Island’

Answer 4

• The lines overflow implying the constant barrage of information or the constant barrage of the storm
• This is reflected in the arrangement of the poem into one single stanza, as it mirrors the overwhelming power of storm
• The reader becomes overwhelmed by the size of the poem and the breathlessness created from the enjambment which also replicates the panicked feeling of the islanders as they faced with the storm

Question 5

Finish the quote: ‘We are prepared…’ and describe it

Answer 5

• “We are prepared; we build our houses squat”
• Empathic opening line and caesura. The poem opens with a strong statement which emphasises the confidence and sense of security of the Islanders
• The use of caesura reinforces this as it conveys the speaker’s certainty as well as the sense that they are safely barricaded in their homes

Question 6

Finish the quote: ‘Spits like a tame…’ and describe it

Answer 6

• “Spits like a tame cat Turned savage”
• Simile
• Gives the impression that the storm is wild and uncontrollable
• Reminds readers that something that seems innocent can be deadly

Question 7

Finish the quote: ‘Strange, it is a huge…’ and describe it

Answer 7

• “Strange, it is a huge nothing that we fear”
• Juxtaposition and irony
• The juxtaposition of “huge nothing that we fear” in the final line highlights how strange the situation is. Despite huge physical preparation, ultimately it is only air, something that cannot even be seen or touched, that is frightening
• The contrast between “huge nothing” and “rock” at the start of the poem makes the storm seem even more menacing because human preparation is not sufficient protection

Question 8

How are images of danger presented at the end of ‘Storm on the Island’?

Answer 8

• “Blows full blast”
• “It pummels your house too”
• “Exploding”
  -“Spits like a tame cat Turned savage”
• “We are bombarded”

Question 9

How are images of safety presented at the start of ‘Storm on the Island’?

Answer 9

• “Sink walls in rock and roof them with good slate.”
• “Wizened earth”
• ” Never troubled us.”

Question 10

How is military imagery presented in ‘Storm on the Island’?

Answer 10

• “We just sit tight while wind dives And strafes invisibly. Space is a salvo. We are bombarded by the empty air.”
• “Salvo”, “strafe” and “bombarded” are associated with air attacks
• These military metaphors emphasise how violent and aggressive the storm is