Storm on the Island Flashcards
We are prepared: we build our houses squat
power of humans - unity, power of nature
strong opening statement
Through the use of the collective pronoun “we”, the opening words creates a sense of solidarity, suggest a community readying itself to endure the elements or, metaphorically, wartime bombing or bombardment.
the short and simple sentence highlights the confidence
The simple word ‘prepared’ implies that this community is accustomed to fierce elements and maybe also accustomed to war. A sense of mystery, fear and tension is created that foreshadows future events in the poem.
. the adjective squat means low and stubby. this is seen as an act of defence and almost an act of surrender. the people of this island have accepted the wrath of nature and instead prepare not to face the worst of it.
the power of nature has resulted in both catholics and protestants fearing for their lives : conflict between humans are insignificant compared to the conflict from nature
Exploding comfortably
power of nature, fear
the verb “exploding” contrasts harshly to the harsh “c” sounds surrounding it which causes the rhythm to be interrupted, confusing the reader and implying that the ocean, originally considered “company”, now is something to be feared.
referring to the waves which often are associated with being overwhelming and so Heaney could be suggesting that at time, politics can be overwhelming however Ireland continues to push through the difficult times in order to live “comfortably”
this could also be interpreted as him being used to the violence of nature, as horrible it may seem to the reader, which helps emphasise the unpleasant situation the Islander’s find themsleves in
spits like a tame cat Turned savage.
fear, power of nature
juxtaposes a safe image to a frightening one, reflecting how the storm has the power to make even familiar things seem frightening. Could also be a reflection of how unpredictable events are in Ireland
This mood-change is reinforced by the sudden spitting, plosive ‘t’s.
Heaney uses enjambment to surprise the reader. The ‘tamed cat’ turns ‘savage’, suggesting that the familiar sea is suddenly turned threatening and dangerous.
the power of nature is shown to be wide-ranging: nature can be both kind and healing but contrastingly inflict suffering and release chaos
Similarly, the adjective “tamed” 40 years of peace before the people of Northern Ireland became ‘savage’ due to politics
wizened earth has never troubled us
Unity
the adjective “wizened” could be interpreted two ways :
- suggests the land is barren, bare and dried up, highlighting the hardships that the Islanders face. Even though this doesn’t depict Ireland, (as Ireland is always wet and rainy), metaphorically it could be suggesting the hard life that the Irish have since the country has been damaged by decades of war
- another interpretation is that the land is knowledgeable, and therefore the land is personified. In doing so, the speaker accentuates the pride he has for his Island, which is also highlighted through “never troubled us”, further creating a sense of unity, safety and strength.
We just sit tight
power of nature, fear
personal plural “we” and the intensifier “just” makes the situation seem desperate.
the adjective “tight” shows the collectiveness of the people, they compact together as a means of protection- recognise the sheer power of nature. creates an image of terror
Leaves and branches can raise a tragic chorus in a gale
power of nature, fear
A chorus repeats over and over again in a song. The storm is going to repeat over and over again on the island.
the adjective “tragic” could reflect the unhappiness of the people on the island as the storm rages around them.
“Tragic chorus” links to the chorus in Greek tragedies, who would narrate and comment on the devastating plot, therefore suggesting that the aftermath of the storm will inevitably be a tragedy
Also having no trees to act as a chorus suggests the islanders are left on their own to face and interpret the storm
We are bombarded with the empty air.
power and nature
“Bombarded” is a dynamic verb, conjuring images of violent sieges or attacks. This also links to the lexical field of war.
Being hit by “empty air” is a metaphor, suggesting that the conflict has no foundation, a struggle based on nothing. History and identity are nebulous concepts, the source of much hatred, yet fleeting and intangible. The word “air” reinforces the theme of nothingness.
could also reflect how irish people were being bombarded with pointless arguments and conflicts
Strange, it is a huge nothing that we fear.
fear, power of humans and nature
The oxymoronic phrase “huge nothing” after the caesura indicates the power of nature that dominates man’s small concerns. A dramatic pause after the conversational word “Strange” allows Heaney to highlight the significance of nature — and human conflict — in this poem.
the “huge nothing” can be interpreted in 2 ways:
- The Troubles based on nothing concrete but mutual suspicion and nebulous ideals like identity and historical loyalty. Maybe the ‘huge nothing’ is the unfathomable, groundless and unnecessary hostility between communities.
- the storm is invisible yet it causes so much fear for the islander. this could also symbolise how religion is only a concept but very central to the conflict that was happening in Northern Ireland
the ambiguity of the last line mimics how the Islanders have now idea what their faith will be
