Storm on the Island Flashcards
Context of Storm on the Island
Poem addresses how the majority of the Irish population coped with the troubles of the 1960s, represented in the poem by the weather
Heaney from Northern Ireland - stayed out of trouble. He reflects this in the poem by implying that everyone should keep themselves safe and away from harm
Key quotes of Storm on the Island
“We are prepared” - symbolises the arrogance/confidence of man. OR the power/braveness of man. Collective pronoun “we” - implies all Irish people are at risk
“Blows full blast” - plosives alludes to the violence & aggression of the weather. Almost creates imagery of bullets (implying the weather is a weapon)
“You know what I mean” - direct colloguial address, this connects the reality of the islander’s lives to reader (allows reader to sympathise with the irish)
“Spits like a tame cat turned savage” - contrast of “tame” & “savage”. Exemplifies the arrogance of man due to their mistaken belief that they overpowered (“tamed”) nature. “Spits” - personification & simile - aggression
There is a semantic field of military terms - “strafes” “salvos”
Structure & form of Storm on the Island
Iambic pentameter - maintains constant rhythm reflecting the conversational tone (“you know what I mean”), more engaging, reader is more involved
No consistent rhyme scheme - reflects how order cannot be enforced upon nature by humans. Suggests the omnipotence of nature, uncotrollable to humans
Cyclical structure: “preparation” of the people at start of the poem to “fear” by the end. OR reflects the never ending cycle of the storm & how it will always come back
Single stanza - readers are overwhelmed by the size of the poem much like the islanders feel towards the weather. AND Talking about problems in Ireland at the time (preaching political view that Ireland should be one united country, much like the single stanza poem)
Enjambement - mirrors the panic of islanders and that the speaker has lots to say
