Storm on the Island

• 'We are prepared' strong opening statement, arrogance contrasts the destruction later on
• 'never troubled us' personification, contrasts the destruction
• The island in 'Storm on the Island' is a metaphor for the conflict in Ireland
• 'you know what I mean' portrays a conversational tone, which emphasises the isolation
• 'there are no trees, no natural shelter' shows that nature has grown unwelcoming
• 'exploding comfortably' oxymoron, implies that we never can predict nature
• 'spits like a tame cat / Turned savage' simile and enjambment illustrates what the sea was like
• 'dives' 'strafes' 'salvo' 'bombarded' military metaphor - compares the storm to war
• 'space is a salvo' sibilance mimics the sound of the wind
• 'huge nothing that we fear' no one can predict the power of nature, contrasts the start of being 'prepared' - cyclical structure