Hurricane Hits England Flashcards
1
Q
why does the poem begin in third person but switch to first person?
A
it’s as if the speaker feels she’s outside of herself at the beginning of the poem but becomes more comfortable as the poem proceeds
2
Q
context
A
- born in 1950
- about a large storm that hit England in 1987
- about the clash of cultures between Guyana and England
- born in Guyana and lived in a small coastal village for 8 years
- Emigrated to England in 1977
3
Q
what quote is “LSDAS”?
A
“like some dark, ancestral spectre”
4
Q
analysis of “like some dark, ancestral spectre”
A
- “spectre” is a ghost, phantom, something menacing
- simile
- “ancestral” - reference to family or past, close bond with the past
- “ancestral spectre” - worshipping spirits of ancestors - ghost of ancestors rebuking poet for leaving her home
5
Q
what quote is “TTMHTTMOTTMS”?
A
“talk to me Huracan talk to me Oya talk to me Shango”
6
Q
analysis of “talk to me Huracan talk to me Oya talk to me Shango”
A
- shift to first person
- “Huracan”, “Oya” and “Shango” are the names of storm gods.
- form of language spoken by people in a particular area
- “Huracan” - carib god of hurricanes
- “Oya” - African goddess of winds
- “Shango” - god of thunder and lightning
7
Q
what quote is “TBI”?
A
“the blinding illumination”
8
Q
analysis of “the blinding illumination”
A
- contrasts power of storm
- compares electricity of lightning with manmade electricity
- lightning may be metaphor for enlightenment the storm brings
9
Q
who is the poet?
A
Grace Nichols
10
Q
poet intentions
A
to teach readers to embrace those parts of their identity that seemed to not belong
11
Q
reader reaction
A
feel inspired to embrace and appreciate their culture
12
Q
themes
A
- nature
- appreciation of culture
- power of storms
