Storm On The Island Flashcards
Who wrote storm on the island and when
Seamus Heaney, 1966
Context of storm on the island
-one of the interpretations of storm on the island is that it serves as a metaphor for the political instability and violence in Northern Ireland, known as The Troubles, The idea of an invisible yet overwhelming force (the wind) could symbolise the political and sectarian divisions that created an atmosphere of fear, even when violence was not physically present. The final line, “it is a huge nothing we fear,” could reflect the anxiety and paranoia that gripped Northern Ireland during this time, as people often feared what might happen rather than what was immediately in front of them.
-The isolation of the islanders mirrors the historical struggle of rural Irish communities, who had to endure natural hardships with little external support. The lack of trees in the landscape, mentioned in the poem, suggests the barrenness of the land, reinforcing the theme that nature is indifferent to human suffering.
-The sense of waiting for an unseen but powerful force to strike could be interpreted as a reflection of global anxieties about war, nuclear threats, and political instability. The fear of an invisible force—whether it be the wind, war, or political unrest—was a universal concern during this period, making the poem resonate beyond its Irish setting.
Structure and form of storm on the island
-written In black verse which gives the poem a natural, speech-like rhythm, making the voice of the speaker sound conversational and reflective. The lack of rhyme mirrors the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the storm, reinforcing the sense that the speaker and their community have little control over what is happening around them
-poem is written as a dramatic monologue, the use of the collective pronoun “we” establishes a sense of community and shared experience, making the storm feel like a collective struggle rather than an individual one. This also suggests that the poem may carry political undertones, as it reflects how groups of people endure conflict together.
Key quotes of storm on the island
‘We are prepared: we build our houses squat ‘
‘We just sit tight while wind dives and strafes invisibly ‘
‘Spits like a tame cat turned savage ‘
‘Strange, It is a huge nothing we fear’
Summary of storm on the island
About a community of islanders preparing for a storm, there is the battle between nature and man. The people are powerless and scared
Analyse quote “we are prepared : we build our houses squat”
-The declarative statement “We are prepared” asserts confidence, while the colon introduces a justification for this feeling—suggesting that the community’s readiness stems from their practical approach to building their homes. However, this structural choice also reflects the tension within the poem; while the speaker claims security, the remainder of the poem challenges this assumption, as nature’s power proves to be overwhelming.
-The collective pronoun “we” immediately establishes a sense of unity, suggesting that survival is a communal effort rather than an individual struggle. This highlights the shared experience of those living on the island, reinforcing the idea that their way of life is shaped by the forces of nature. The verb choices “prepared” and “build” emphasize human effort and control, implying that the islanders have taken deliberate steps to protect themselves
-The reference to squat houses reflects the practical reality of adapting to extreme weather conditions, illustrating the way human existence is dictated by the natural world
Analyse quote “we just sit tight while wind dives and strafes invisibly”
-The verb “strafes” is particularly significant, as it refers to the act of attacking with machine-gun fire from an aircraft. By likening the wind to an aerial assault, Heaney presents nature as a hostile force, actively waging war against the islanders. Similarly, the verb “dives” evokes the image of a fighter plane swooping down aggressively, reinforcing the idea that the storm is not a passive event but an intentional and relentless attack.
-This juxtaposition underscores the idea that, despite their preparations, the only course of action available to the inhabitants is to endure the storm, reinforcing their vulnerability.
-The adjective “invisibly” further enhances this sense of powerlessness, emphasizing that the true force of the storm is unseen and intangible. Unlike a traditional battle, where the enemy is visible, the storm attacks without a discernible form, making it even more terrifying.
Analyse quote “spits like a tame cat turned savage”
-By comparing the storm’s force to a “tamed cat turned savage,” Heaney presents nature as something that appears domesticated and under control, yet can unpredictably become dangerous, However, the transformation into something “savage” suggests the sudden and uncontrollable violence of the storm, emphasizing the illusion of human control.
-the use of personification makes nature seem alive and deliberately threatening, as if it has emotions and intent. This enhances the storm’s portrayal as an adversary, in keeping with the poem’s extended war-like imagery
-some critics have suggested that the image of the “tamed cat turned savage” can also be read as a metaphor for The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Just as the cat, once domesticated, suddenly becomes wild and uncontrollable, so too did the political landscape of Ireland, which had long been marked by tensions that frequently erupted into violence.
Analyse quote “strange, it is a huge nothing we fear”
- The phrase “huge nothing” appears contradictory, as something cannot be both vast and nonexistent. However, this paradox reflects the central irony of the storm: the true force of the tempest is not its physical destruction, but its unseen power. Unlike tangible threats such as floods or falling debris, the wind—though invisible—is the most terrifying aspect of the storm. This suggests that fear is often rooted in the unknown, reinforcing the idea that what cannot be seen can still wield immense influence.
-The phrase “huge nothing” may symbolise the fear and tension that gripped Ireland during the political conflict, where threats of violence and unrest were often more powerful than the physical acts themselves. Just as the storm is an invisible yet overwhelming force, so too was the political instability that loomed over daily life. The word “strange” further suggests a sense of disillusionment, as if the speaker is acknowledging the absurdity of fearing something that cannot be seen or touched.
-This mirrors the way that fear can often be more damaging than the actual threat itself. In this sense, the storm becomes a metaphor not just for natural disasters but for the intangible fears that govern human life.
