Storm on the Island Form and Structure Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is the form of the poem ‘Storm on the Island’?
A Dramatic Monologue / Narrative Poem
The poem is written as a first-person, single speaker’s monologue, creating an intimate tone.
How does the form of the poem affect its tone?
It creates a sense of directness and immediacy, making the storm’s impact feel vivid and real.
What type of verse is used in ‘Storm on the Island’?
Blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter)
This gives the poem a natural, conversational rhythm.
How is the structure of ‘Storm on the Island’ described?
One Continuous Stanza
The poem is composed as one long stanza without breaks.
What effect does the unbroken structure of the poem have?
Mirrors the relentless, ongoing nature of the storm and builds tension.
What literary technique is used to create a sense of movement in the poem?
Enjambment
This technique allows sentences or thoughts to continue beyond the end of the line.
What does enjambment emphasize in the poem?
The power and unpredictability of nature.
What is caesura?
Pauses within lines, often marked by punctuation like commas, colons, or dashes.
How does caesura function in ‘Storm on the Island’?
It interrupts the flow, mimicking sudden gusts or breaks in the storm’s intensity.
What is a volta in poetry?
A subtle shift in tone or mood.
What tonal shift occurs in ‘Storm on the Island’?
From confidence and preparation to uncertainty and fear.
What contrasts are present in the poem?
Human stability and strength vs. unstoppable, chaotic force of nature
This is reflected structurally by shifts in mood and rhythm.
What is the overall meter of ‘Storm on the Island’?
Largely iambic pentameter.
How does the rhythm of the poem feel despite its regular meter?
Irregular due to enjambment and caesura.
What does the irregular rhythm mimic in the poem?
The uneven, unpredictable natural environment and the storm’s changing power.
