storm On The Island

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

The poem was written in 1966. In 1968 The catholic(IRA) began bombing and assassinating people in effort to liberate Northern Ireland from British and Protestant control. In many ways the poem is prescient,anticipating the oncoming violence.

Question 2

Tone

Answer 2

He constantly says “we” and “us”so we get a sense of unity and strength between the people on the island. There united in a negative way as they are preparing for the storm and they have “no stacks or stools” so they are united in things that they don’t have. The community seems like a miserable one emphasised by the idea that there are not trees. “Nor are there trees.” Heaney is suggesting that the island is somewhere we wouldn’t want to live. Could be repressing Northern island and the buildings are a metaphor for the people on the island. “ They sink walls in rocks” that gives them security but makes them seem stuck to place. They can’t escape the conflict between catholic and Protestant.

Question 3

Structure

Answer 3

One long stanza made up of many long and complex sentences.”lack of stanza breaks and lack of breathing space reflects the overwhelming situation the speaker finds them-self in.it’s a non stop barrage and there’s no time to stop and breath representing what it is like to be in the danger of the storm. Poem also contains enjambment. Line 5-10 creates a constant barrage of information which reflects the constant barrage of the storm of the house. In the midst of the stanza Heaney uses everyday language such as “you know what I mean” perhaps the contrast between the language of conflict and power and the language of everyday life is used to suggest that this is everyday life to the narrator. This is further emphasise when Heaney uses the oxymoron “exploring comfortably” reflecting how the reader has made sense of the conflict-filled world in which he lives.

Question 4

Purpose of the Half rhyme

Answer 4

The sense of the poem being nothing new for the narrator is reflected in the poems rhyme scheme. If contains very little in the way of rhyme. It’s lack of control is reflected in the lack of rhyme. It’s a uncontrollable storm so in the same way the poem lacks control. However, there is half rhyme in the opening and closing couplets “ we are prepared:we bring our house squat…” , “ we are bombarded by the empty air….”showing how the wild storm refuses to be cause controlled so only a half rhyme is possible amidst the chaos. Heaney knew that to use full rhyme would have been too perfect.The poem ends as it begins with a half rhyming couplet giving the poem a cyclical structure creating a sense that the storm is inescapable.

Question 5

Form

Answer 5

Perhaps it’s a dramatic monologue as it can be perceived as a one way conversation. Dramatic monologue views one side of the conversation therefore there is no equality.so perhaps the dramatic monologue form reflects the imbalance in the relationship between the speaker and nature.There is only one dominant voice in that relationship and the lack of voice suggest that nature is indifferent to what’s going on and doesn’t care that it batters the narrators home and fills him with fear.

Question 6

Title

Answer 6

First 8 letters in the title spell “
Stormont” which is the name given to the parliament building in Ireland.”we and “us” creates a sense of solidarity suggesting opposition. There is lots of warfare language “blast” “pummels” “exploding” “bombarded” “storages” “salvo” this is because the storm can be read as a metaphor for the violent political trouble that Ireland has experienced.

Question 7

Blank verse

Answer 7

Lines of iambic pentameter with no rhyme. Creates a mix of the British traditional iambic pentameter and use of ordinary Irish language to reflect the conflict and tension between the two countries.use of blank verse seem to be intentional. The contrast between the wild storm and the control of the poet could also reflect the contrast between the opposing sides in troubles or the contrast between the weather and the narrator.

Question 8

“We are prepared;we build our house squat”

Answer 8

Shows the people are aware of what’s coming as the storm is normal to them. They can also be prepared for war

Question 9

“This wizened earth has never troubled us”

Answer 9

Shows nature doesn’t seek conflict so it’s wise.

Question 10

“The flung,spray hits/the very widows”

Answer 10

“Flung” violent Verb has a semantic field of war”

Question 11

“Strange,it’s a huge nothing that we fear.”

Answer 11

Half rhyme.Admits they are afraid of something invisible.