storm on the island v. exposure Flashcards
THEMES IN BOTH
- nature is more powerful than humanity / nature being violent
- humanity suffering due to conflict
3.. criticisms of governments and authorities that allow conflict to happen.
STRUCTURE OF SOTI
dramatic monologue, no consistent rhyme scheme, reflects how order cant be enforced upon nature and humans cant control it- this juxtaposes the iambic pentameter and strict rhythm. there are half rhymes at start and end which gives it a cyclical nature. enjambment, feels like overflow and a barrage of information- reflecting the barrage of the storm? feels breathless because it is one stanza.
STRUCTURE OF EXPOSURE
8 stanzas, each includes a build up of rich imagery but then the 5th line acts as an anticlimax. mirroring the way that the soldiers stay constantly alert and yet nothing happens.
there is a constant rhyme scheme that again is contrasted with the 5th line- making this line really stand out and emphasise the monotony of war. includes para-rhymes, underlying an atmosphere of unease . leaving readers feel unsatisfied and uneasy- anticipating a rhyme like soldiers anticipating a battle.
cyclical structure, anaphora of nothing happens creates futility and a never ending cycle.
PERSPECTIVE OF BOTH
soti- dramatic monologue that creates a sense of isolation, feels like a one way conversation. juxtaposes the constant use of collective pronouns.
exposure- authentic 1st person perspective, wilfred owen did go to war himself.
uses collective pronouns to create a sense of community.
THEME 1- nature is more powerful than humanity/ nature being violent.
QUOTES
exposure- “dawn massing in the east her melancholy army”
“sudden successive flights of bullets streak the silence”
“mad gusts tugging on the wire”
soti- “spits like a tame cat turned savage”
“bombarded”“exploding comfortably” “pummels”“space is salvo”“strafes”
why do the writers create a sense that nature is more powerful than humanity and then present it as violent?
it makes humans seem more vulnerable to forces beyond their control. mirrors how they are vulnerable to the conflict.
THEME 2- humanity suffering due to conflict
QUOTES
exposure- “our brains ache, in the merciless iced east winds that knive us”
“shutters and doors, all closed; on us the doors are closed”
soti: .”forgetting that it can pummel your house too, but there are no trees no natural shelter. you might think the sea is company”
why do the writers highlight the suffering of humanity due to conflict?
trying to make the reader empathise with subjects of poem and see things from their point of view.
THEME 3- criticisms of oppressive governments that use civilians as tools of conflict.
QUOTES
exposure- “what are we doing here?”
“but nothing happens”
soti- “ the wizened earth had never troubled us”
“there are no stacks or stooks that can be lost”
“strange it is a huge nothing that we fear”
why do the writers highlight criticisms of the oppressive governments and using civilians as tools in conflict?
give emotional power to the poems and create sympathy. But to also give focus to the political issues within the poems- the troubles/ ww1.
shows the disregard of feelings and autonomy of their civilians.
