Storm On The Island

Question 1

Storm on the Island context (Seamus Heaney)

Answer 1

• Eldest son, border at the middle of the city
• In 1966 he released his first poem called “death of a naturalist” - three years before the troubles started
• Heaney did not write this poem as a commentary on the Northern Ireland conflict however some may interpret it as such

Question 2

Storm on the Island MUST mention

Answer 2

• The cottage represents safety and calm and behind its walls. It reflects a conflict between nature and man
• The poet is able to communicate a sense of calm friendliness using asides and very recognisable imagery to describe the attack of the weather
• The poet is friendly and speaking in a very calm conversational way to the reader
• The poet shows that sometimes what we fear is not worth being afraid of
• The poets suggestion of fear challenges the allocation of power, that we only give power top what we fear if we let it

Question 3

Storm on the Island Structure

Answer 3

The poem is in blank verse with 19 lines. There are 5 feet (10 syllables) in each line. The verses are unrhymed and it gives it a very conversational tone. This is added to by the use of asides.The poem is in present tense to suggest the storm is occurring at the time. The poem uses a great deal of enjambment to help add to the conversational tone.