Storm on the Island Flashcards
‘We are prepared’
islanders seem to be used to storms and is reflected by the landscape of the island.
declarative statement presents the islanders as confident, yet at the end of the poem, the tone shifts and the islanders seem to be desperate and can only wait, completely powerless
tone change communicates power of nature over humans
links to authors early poetry focusing on rural life and identity
based on northern Ireland troubles (extended metaphor) and about Aron Islands (Irish poet who grew up in a farming community)
one stanza links to strength and determination of the island and its people as they are unified against the enemy (nature)
‘sea is company, Exploding comfortably’
untrustworthy and solidarity
oxymoron - the sea is destructive and shows the ease at which the sea can cause power (immense power, nonchalance), is unbothered about having a negative effect on humans
violent verb - emphasises danger of nature which we cannot escape and only prepare for
dramatic monologue written in first person allows the reader to have a clear insight into the feelings of the islanders and emphasises their defiance and emphasises isolation
no rhyme scheme and one stanza emphasises the power of nature
‘like a tame cat turned savage’
exaggerated form of ‘wild’ helps with tone change following previous volta
oxymoron and simile - nature is unpredictable
‘spits’ - aggression/vicious
nature can be tame and controllable, but can also easily snap and attack, therefore, humans should respect nature as it is in control of us and can be unpredictable
enjambment builds tension before the storm hits and the fast pace and overwhelming situation conveys breathlessness. This is contradicted here where the storm has hit and it adds to the sense of panic that they cannot escape.
