Storm on the Island

Question 1

A

Answer 1

this poem is perfectly balanced and is to be appreciated in a double level as it speaks to human emotion of fear. while on the surface Heaney describes an island community preparing for storm, this is also a metaphor for the Irish civil war.

Question 2

moods in the storm on the island

Answer 2

defiant, terror, confusion

Question 3

Heaney shows terror

simile of nature

2 sides

beauty and nurturing

savage and raw

Answer 3

spits like a tame cat

Turned savage.

Question 4

Heaney shows defiant

end stopping and caesura - rooting in , determination, impactful statement

sibilance, alliteration, defiant as he spits these words out with passion

Answer 4

We are prepared: we build our houses squat,

Sink walls in rock and roof them with good slate.

Question 5

Heaney shows confusion

emptiness, bombarded by anticipation

preparation of attack and waiting for attack

Answer 5

Space is a salvo,
We are bombarded with the empty air.

strange it is a huge nothing that we fear

Question 6

Ideas portrayed in the poem Storm on the Island

Answer 6

in the face of such a threat people are relatively helpless

resilience of the human spirit

Question 7

in the face of such a threat people are relatively helpless

trees personified

mirror sound of bombing

Answer 7

Nor are there trees

Which might prove company

Question 8

resilience of the human spirit

military imagery describing a natural force,

sibilance suggest impending evil of such a war

Answer 8

We just sit tight while wind dives

And strafes invisibly

Question 9

techniques used in the storm on the island

Answer 9

conversational tone Iambic pentameter blank verse, narrative voice address us directly,

Question 10

My response

Answer 10

Heaney wants to highlight the fact that no one can ignore war it is relevant to us all, and at any moment what seems peaceful can turn savage.