storm on the island

• What is the main theme of the poem "Storm on the Island"?

  The power of nature
• How do the people on the island prepare for the storm?

  They build their houses to withstand storms
• What does the poem suggest about the relationship between humans and nature?

  Humans are ultimately powerless against the power of nature
• What does the storm metaphorically represent in the context of the poem?

  The political struggle in Ireland during the Troubles
• What literary form does the poem "Storm on the Island" take?

  A dramatic monologue
• What does the phrase "we are prepared" imply about the community?

  It suggests a sense of togetherness and confidence
• What does the adjective "squat" imply about the houses built by the community?

  They are low to the ground for stability
• What does the personification of the "wisened Earth" suggest?

  It conveys respect for the Earth and its wisdom
• What does the absence of trees symbolize in the poem?

  It emphasizes the community's isolation and vulnerability
• How does the speaker view the lack of crops on the island?

  As an advantage because there is nothing to destroy
• What does the phrase "exploding comfortably" suggest about the sea?

  It highlights the sea's indifferent power
• What does the simile "spits like a tame cat turned Savage" imply?

  Nature can quickly become threatening and dangerous
• What does the phrase "we just sit tight" convey about the community's response to the storm?

  It suggests a sense of helplessness and resignation
• What does the phrase "space is a salvo" imply in the context of the poem?

  It suggests a rapid attack, likening the storm to warfare
• What does the oxymoron "huge nothing" suggest about the storm?

  It implies that the fear of the storm is unfounded
• What are the key context points for "Storm on the Island"?

  • Written by Seamus Heaney, a Northern Irish poet
  • Part of the collection "Death of a Naturalist"
  • Reflects the violence of nature and political conflict in Northern Ireland
  • Published in 1966 during a time of political unrest
• How does the poem reflect Heaney's experiences growing up in a farming community?

  It emphasizes the connection between rural life and the power of nature
• What does the title "Storm on the Island" suggest about the poem's focus?

  It indicates a literal storm and its impact on the island community
• What is the significance of the first eight letters of the title "Storm on the Island"?

  They spell "stormant," referencing the Irish government building
• What was the political situation in Northern Ireland around the time the poem was written?

  There was political unrest leading up to the Troubles starting in 1969
• What does the poem suggest about the impact of nature on human life?

  Nature can be both nurturing and destructive