Storm on the Island (AQA GCSE English Literature): Revision Notes

Storm on the Island

"Storm on the Island" by Seamus Heaney

Context

• Seamus Heaney was an Irish poet and playwright, widely regarded as one of the most important poets of the 20th century. "Storm on the Island" explores the relationship between humans and nature, focusing on the power of natural forces and the sense of isolation that comes from living in such an environment. The poem can also be read as a metaphor for political conflict in Northern Ireland.

The Poem

We are prepared: we build our houses squat,

Sink walls in rock and roof them with good slate.

The wizened earth has never troubled us

With hay, so as you can see, there are no stacks

Or stooks that can be lost. Nor are there trees

Which might prove company when it blows full

Blast: you know what I mean—leaves and branches

Can raise a tragic chorus in a gale

So that you can listen to the thing you fear

Forgetting that it pummels your house too.

But there are no trees, no natural shelter.

You might think that the sea is company,

Exploding comfortably down on the cliffs

← Oxymoron

But no: when it begins, the flung spray hits

The very windows, spits like a tame cat

← Simile

Turned savage. We just sit tight while wind dives

And strafes invisibly. Space is a salvo.

← Alliteration

We are bombarded by the empty air.

← Military Imagery

Strange, it is a huge nothing that we fear.

← Paradox

5 quotes + analysis to achieve a grade 9

1. Oxymoron: "Exploding comfortably"

• Analysis: The oxymoron "Exploding comfortably" highlights the deceptive nature of the sea. Initially, it seems benign, but its true power is revealed in the storm, emphasising the unpredictability and danger of nature.

2. Simile: "spits like a tame cat / Turned savage"

• Analysis: This simile compares the sea spray to a tame cat that suddenly becomes savage, illustrating the sudden and violent transformation of nature. It reflects the theme of nature's uncontrollable power.

3. Military Imagery: "We are bombarded by the empty air"

• Analysis: The use of military imagery, such as "bombarded" and "salvo", suggests that the storm is like an attack. This portrays the storm as an enemy, emphasising the conflict between humans and nature.

4. Alliteration: "Space is a salvo"

• Analysis: The alliteration of the 's' sound in "Space is a salvo" mimics the sound of the wind, adding to the poem's auditory imagery. It also reinforces the idea that the vast, empty space around the island is filled with the threatening force of the storm.

5. Paradox: "Strange, it is a huge nothing that we fear"

• Analysis: The paradox highlights the irrational yet overwhelming fear of the storm. Despite being invisible and intangible, the storm's power is felt profoundly, emphasising the psychological impact of nature's might.

Form & Structure Points

• Blank Verse: The poem is written in unrhymed iambic pentameter, reflecting the natural flow of speech and the unpredictable nature of the storm.
• Single Stanza: The continuous, unbroken structure mirrors the relentlessness of the storm, with no pause or respite for the inhabitants.
• Direct Address: The use of "we" creates a sense of collective experience, drawing the reader into the shared fear and resilience of the community.

Example Paragraph for a Grade 9 Answer:

In "Storm on the Island," Heaney explores nature's power through oxymorons and military imagery. The oxymoron "Exploding comfortably" highlights the deceptive nature of the sea, initially appearing harmless before revealing its true force. The simile "spits like a tame cat / Turned savage" illustrates the sudden violence of the storm. Military imagery in "We are bombarded by the empty air" portrays the storm as an enemy, emphasising the conflict between humans and nature. The alliteration in "Space is a salvo" adds to the auditory imagery, while the paradox "Strange, it is a huge nothing that we fear" underscores the psychological impact of the storm's intangible power. Through these devices, Heaney conveys the overwhelming and unpredictable force of nature...