Storm On The Island

Question 1

Context of this poem?

Answer 1

Heaney was a northern Irish poet and grew up in the countryside/rural areas and was a part of the farming community, leading him to write poems about nature.

Question 2

Summary of the poem

Answer 2

It is about a community of islanders who are preparing for a storm, investigating the theme of the battle of man vs nature. It focuses on their experience of the storm and how it seems that they get storms regularly and how this impacts life on the island as they wait inside for it to pass.

Question 3

Synopsis (short summary)

Answer 3

• island community preparing for storm
• designed the island to withstands storm and nature
• the storm seems to turn against them
• they stay hiding, waiting for it to pass - they are powerless and scared (man vs nature)
• land is a barren of crops and trees

Question 4

“We are prepared”

Answer 4

Arrogance in the declarative - too confident shown by how bold and declarative. they are confident in their ability to overpower nature however. they have completely adapted their lives to the purpose of resisting nature.

Question 5

structure

Answer 5

Lambic pentameter - alongside conversational tags like “you might think” , “but no” and “you know what I mean” which helps the reader to feel involved and engaged. this concept reflect s that only as a community can the storm be endured

Question 6

Lambic pentameter

Answer 6

technique where the poet uses ten syllables in each line with pairs of sounds going da-DA with the emphasis on the second syllable

Question 7

Rhyme Scheme

Answer 7

There is no consistent rhyme scheme, which reflects how order cannot be enforced upon nature, it is more powerful than humans so we have no way to control it. Lack of rhyme scheme relates to the omnipotence of nature contrasting with the controlled rhythm. shows human power resisting power and chaos of a storm.