Storm on the Island: Key Quotations and Analysis
This page delves into some of the most significant quotes from Storm on the Island, offering a detailed analysis of their meaning and impact within the context of the poem.
Quote: "We are prepared: we build our houses squat"
This emphatic opening line sets the tone for the poem, showcasing the islanders' initial confidence in their preparations. The use of caesura abreakintheline reinforces this sense of certainty and security.
Vocabulary: Caesura - A pause or break in a line of poetry, often for emphasis or rhythmic effect.
Quote: "You can listen to the thing you fear..."
This line employs danger imagery to involve the reader directly in the experience of the storm. It suggests that the fear is palpable and immediate, not just for the islanders but for the reader as well.
Quote: "Strange, it is a huge nothing that we fear"
The juxtaposition in this final line highlights the irony of the situation. Despite all their physical preparations, what the islanders ultimately fear is something intangible – the air itself.
Definition: Juxtaposition - The placement of contrasting ideas side by side for emphasis.
Quote: "Spits like a tame cat/Turned savage"
This simile vividly illustrates the transformation of the seemingly harmless wind into a destructive force, emphasizing the unpredictable and violent nature of the storm.
Quote: "We are bombarded by the empty air"
This military metaphor likens the storm's assault to an air strike, further emphasizing its violence and the islanders' defenselessness.
Highlight: The contrast between the "huge nothing" of the air and the solid "rock" mentioned at the start of the poem underscores the storm's menacing power and the inadequacy of human preparations.
These key quotations work together to create a powerful portrayal of the storm's impact, both physically and psychologically, on the island community. They showcase Heaney's masterful use of language to convey the themes of human vulnerability and the overwhelming force of nature.
