Storm on the island

Question 1

quote 1

Answer 1

we are prepared: we build our houses squat,

Question 2

quote 2

Answer 2

exploding comfortably down on the cliffs/ But no:when it begins, the flung spray hits

Question 3

quote 3

Answer 3

Strange, it is a huge nothing that we fear.

Question 4

context

Answer 4

-raised in northern ireland in a catholic household
-naturalistic poet -agricultural images as metaphor for human nature
-extended metaphor for troubles in ireland battle of religion

Question 5

structure

Answer 5

-written in blank verse to sound conversational as stanzas are casual and regular as so accustomed to fear
-lack of stanzas keeps tension by denying reader of pauses
-first and final couplet unsettling slant rhyme creating a cyclical structure of perpetual cycle of preparation, waiting and recovery
-volta shifts to defeat followed by enjambment causing lines to overflow and overwhelm reader with information
-punctuation on end of lines talking about human power, enjambment when talking about natures power as it overwhelms