Storm on the Island

Question 1

FORM

Answer 1

•Half rhyme, uncontrollable power of nature. “squat and slate” half rhyme “t”, vowels differ.
•War and conflict is not over, it is ongoing and its damage in future is unpredictable
•Full rhyme is too controlled and perfect, poem ends as it begins, cyclical structure, inescapable, storm occurs time and time again.

Question 2

LANGUAGE

Answer 2

•Animalistic “spits like a tame cat”, highlights how nature can rapidly shift from calm to fierce. “tame” is gentle and domestic, shifting to “spit” a sudden aggression, unpredictable storm.
•Oxymoron “exploding comfortably”, difference between human and natures power. “explosion” is violent and damaging, “comfortable” is ease, put tg shows the power of storm. Destruction is easy for storm, insignificant human effort against power of nature.
•Semantic field around war “blast” “exploding” “bombarded”, gunfire and bombs, depict nature as an enemy and shows sheer power. OR, read as metaphor for violent political troubles of Ireland, military language creates connection vetween nayural and political storm.

Question 3

CONTEXT

Answer 3

•Irish poet, Troybles in Ireland between catholic and protestant.
•Battle is damaging and also over nothing, conflicting beliefs has caused such chaos.
•Political turmoil, should work together “we”, are all the same, all humans shouldnt be put against one another.