Storm On The Island

Question 1

Structure

Answer 1

Unpredictable rhythm and rhyme scheme shows the unpredictability of the storm

Question 2

‘You can listen to the thing you fear forgetting that it pummels your house too’

Answer 2

• Dangerous imagery
• Suggests the reader is just as vulnerable as those affected in the poem
• Allows the reader to feel more connected and personal to the poem
• Supports the idea of human vunerability

Question 3

‘Strange it is a huge nothing we fear’

Answer 3

• Juxtaposition
• Highlights how strange the situation is, despite the physical preparations, ultimately it is only air that is frightening
• Makes the storm seem even more menacing as human preparation is insufficient

Question 4

• ‘The very windows spits like a tame cat turned savage’

Answer 4

Gives the impression that the storm is wild and uncontrollable
• Reminds the readers that something which seems so innocent can be deadly

Question 5

Themes

Answer 5

Nature

Question 6

Context

Answer 6

Seamus Heaney was an Irish poet who wrote about life in the country and farm life.
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He makes mild allusions to conflict in Ireland with his war metaphors and the title spells ‘Stormont’ — the Irish
Parliament buildings.
He covers how humans endure life in extreme weather conditions in harsh, coastal environments.

Question 7

You can listen to the thing you feel

Answer 7

Forgetting that it pummels your house too

Question 8

Strange it is a

Answer 8

Huge nothing we fear

Question 9

The very windows splits like a

Answer 9

Tame cat turned savage