Storm on the island

Question 1

Oxymoron

Answer 1

“Exploding comfortably “ Exploding is quite a violent term contrasting with comfortably, the poet is suggesting that because the violence is far off you feel safe.

Question 2

Military metaphor

Answer 2

” Space in salvo” Military metaphors salvo, strafe, bombardment relates to air attacks. The poet is drawing comparisons with the wind and human aircraft, suggesting that they are only what we make them. The sibilance of the s sounds throughout mirrors the sound of the storm and the sea spitting

Question 3

Simile about a cat

Answer 3

“Like a tame cat” simile the poet uses a very familiar image to describe something that is very powerful and majestic,this undermines the strength of the weather, suggesting it is only scary if you choose to let it.
The cat has changed from tamed to savage just like the weather has changed to dangerous

Question 4

Structure

Answer 4

The poem is in blank verse with 19 lines. The free verse show the power and freedom of the storm, In addition the poet uses a great deal of enjambment to show the repetitive cycle of the storm which people face too often

Question 5

Personifying a old winkled man

Answer 5

The wizened earth had never troubled us

The word wizened personifying it like a wrinkled man

Question 6

Blows

Answer 6

Blows full blast is suggesting a bomb which is very destructive and the two B sounds have a powerful impact much like the storm