Storm on the Island Flashcards
Who wrote Storm on the Island
Seamus Heaney
What is Storm on the Island about
the narrator describes how a community think they are well-prepared for a coming storm, as the poem progresses their confidence starts to disappear as the storm develop and the power and the sounds of the storm are described, the ending of the poem described the fear as the storm hits the island
What is the form of Storm on the Island
black verse - pattern of everyday speech seems part of a conversation, first person plural - collective experience, all one stanze - compact and sturdy like the houses
What is the structure of Storm on the Island
poem shift from security to fear, ‘But no:’ is the turning point with the slow pace and caesura reflecting the last moments of the calm before the storm
What is the contrast of Storm on the Island
lots of words to describe the safety and security at the beginning, the tone changes and the sense of danger increases as familiar things become frightening during the storm, ‘We are prepared’ - strong opening statement conveys safety, ‘it is a huge nothing that we fear’ - the storm in invisible huge contrast to the start as it is the end line, ‘squat’ ‘good slate’ - caesura
shows safety and security which disappears with enjambment at the end
What is the direct address of Storm on the Island
involves the reader in his fear by speaking directly to ‘you’
What is the violent imagery of Storm on the Island
storm is described in violent and often warlike terms with similes, metaphors and personification combing to emphasise the danger and effects of the storm, ‘exploding comfortably’ - oxymoron juxtaposes the fear and safety, ‘spits tame like a cat turned savage’ - simile shows how familiar things become frightening, ‘bombarded’ ‘strafes’ - war imagery
What is the use of sounds of Storm on the Island
forceful sounds are used to demonstrate the strength of nature and the poem also uses assonant and sibilant sounds to reflect the noise of the wind and waves, ‘spray hits’ ‘sit’ - ‘i’ sounds and sibilance combine to intimidates the hissing and spitting sea
What are the feelings and attitudes of Storm on the Island
safety - fist part of the poem shows tha tthe community feels safe and prepared for the storm, fear - sense of security soon changes to fear and familiar things change to become frightening, helplessness - people cannot do anything about their fear except wait from the storm to finish, nature is presented as a powerful relentless force
What are the themes of Storm on the Island
power of humans, power of nature, negative emotions - fear
What language/techniques does Storm on the Island have
contrasting descriptions of safety and fear, direct address, violent imagery, use of sounds
