Storm on the Island by Seamus Heaney

Summary of poem

Humans prepare for a storm.

The storm can neither be seen nor touched - there are no trees on the Island meaning the effects cannot be seen.

It's effects on the Island however, are profound.

Themes

The power of nature.

Military.

Style

Heaney speaks to us as the reader directly; this is shown on line seven when he uses a converational tone - 'you know what i mean'.

Rhyme and Rhythm

Iambic Pentametre

Blank Verse - The peom does not rhyme

Continuous weak stress on words which denotes the inability to stand up to nature. We as humans are weak in comparison to nature which is unstoppable.

Layout

Long sentences set against short phrases which suggests the storm is ongoing, but we as humans hope for it to end quick.

The form is broken up - this reflects the effects of the storm - breaking and damaging.