***Storm on the Island Flashcards
1
Q
What is the context of Seamus Heaney’s ‘storm on the island’?
A
- Seamus uses large number of agricultural and natural images in his work as metaphors for human nature
- poem set around small isolated cottage near the sea in a storm and the exposure to the elements
2
Q
“We are prepared”
A
- short sharp starting clause emphasises confidence - rough and rural language - agricultural tone
3
Q
“spits like a tame cat turned savage”
A
- similie
- familiar image undermines strength of the weather - suggests only scary if we choose it to be
- suggests familiar things turn frightening under power of a storm
4
Q
“exploding comfortably”
A
- oxymoron
- extended metaphor of the safety of his cottage compared to violence around him
- conversational tone - short wait/small talk between the storm
5
Q
“but there are no trees, no natural shelter”
A
- shows they are destined for failure
- they’re defenceless
6
Q
“we are bombarded by empty air”
A
- semantic field
- suggests things are only as powerful or threatening as we let them be
