Storm On The Island.

Key Themes:
                - Natural power
                - Fear and isolation
                - Peoples relationship with nature


Key Techniques:
                 - Blank verse (no rhyming)
                 - Enjambment (lines run over)
                 - Caesura
                 - Assonamce
                 - Oximoron
                 - Metaphors and similies


Lines 1-5:
On line 1 there is an example of caesura, this is where there is a deliberate break in the line to make the reader pause, it says 'we are prepared: we build our houses squat'. There is a break in the poem, as this is before the storm, it is telling the readers that they are prepared for it, after the break, the storm has came, this is during the storm now.
At the end of line 1 and 2, there are end breaks, we know this as commas are present.
The rest of the verse uses enjambmennt, this is where the lines run over, it makes the poem flow continuously.
The word 'we' is repeated in the first line of the poem, this is very important as Heaney is setting the tone as secure and comforting, everyone is involved, he isnt alone.
They build their houses 'squat', this means that they are building their houses safe and secure, the people who live on the island build their houses to withstand the storm, they are prepared.
The first key technique used is assonance, in line 2, this a repition of a vowel sound; Roof and Good'.
Heaney uses the word 'wizened', this could mean that the earth is old and feeble, or intelligient and wise.
Nothing grows on the island, we know this as it says 'the wizened earth has never toubled us, with hay', this means that the people who like on the island dont have to worry about losing things in the storm such as 'stacks or stooks'.
There is only one stanza in the whole of the poem.

Lines 6-10:
In the first few lines, there is an example of enjambment, it says 'when it blows full, Blast', this gives the impression of a storm, just like 'waves hitting a rock', it is something unexpected.

Line 7:
Conversational tone; he says 'you know what i mean'. This is adressing the reader, and drawing them in, to get them involved in the storm. He uses conversational tone as he feels isolated, it says 'nor are there trees', he feels lonely and he needs reassurance.
Line 8:
He refers to a 'tragic chorus', chorus's are repeated verses, the storm keeps coming back, he talks about storms all the time.

Lines 9-10:
The wind is personified, 'it pummels your house'. It is personified in a very violent way, the wind cant actually pummel, you would use pummel in a fight, he is in a fight with a storm.

Lines 11-19:
It says 'you might think the sea is comapany, exploding comfortably on the cliffs', this means that he might not be able to hear the sea, it isnt company to him becuase its not close enough, he still feels lonely.
It then says 'spits like a tame cat, Turned savage', this is an example of onomatophia, also personification, 'spits' catches the readers attention and draws them in.