Storm on the Island Flashcards
“Stormont”
Northern Ireland Parliament.
“We are prepared:”
The writer feels ready for the storm
The colon represents the writer’s logical thoughts and is ready to show how they’re prepared.
“You know what I mean.”
Conversational tag emphasises the blank verse.
“Leaves and branches can raise a tragic chorus.”
Theatrical metaphor as not much can be heard since nature is being destroyed.
“Chorus” is repeated throughout the song which shows the storm will keep on coming back.
“Wizened earth.”
Nature is older than the humans so will be able to survive the storm.
Could also suggest that the soil is dry.
“The sea is company, exploding comfortably down on the cliffs.”
Oxymoron as sea crashing against the rocks is more comforting to hear than the storm.
“But no:”
Volta.
The storm is stronger and they’re less prepared than they thought they were.
“Spits like a tame cat turned savage.”
Simile and Oxymoron - The familiar sea turned dangerous.
“Strange, It’s a huge nothing that we fear.”
Caesura - Highlights how nature can belittle man.
Oxymoron - The elements could be nothing or the Irish Troubles were based on nothing concrete.
Military language - “Strafes”, “Bombarded”, “Pummels” , “Blast”
Protest against terrorism and IRA.
Shows the aggressive assault by the weather.
Structure
Unpredictable and irregular like the storm.
Lack of stanza breaks represents the overwhelming conditions.
Iambic pentameter - Captures normal speech and could represent Ireland against UK (Strong, weak etc).
Blank verse - represents lack of control. Rhythm but only half-rhymes.
Form
Self-conscious narrative.
Context
Looks at the conditions in rural and remote islands and how they face nature.
Irish Troubles - Politicians didn’t realise how they badly affected normal citizens. They’re the victims of this metaphorical storm.
