Themes 2
English Lit: AQA GCSE Poetry - Power & Conflict, topic 3.1.3
Irony
Heaney uses irony to show how weak man is compared to nature. Heaney uses these devices to emphasise the contrast between man and nature:
Juxtaposition
- The juxtaposition (putting ideas or words together for comparison of contrast) of “huge" and "nothing" in "huge nothing that we fear” in the final line highlights how strange the situation is.
- Despite huge physical preparations, ultimately it is only air (something that cannot even be seen or touched) that is frightening.
Contrast
- The contrast between “huge nothing” and “rock” at the start of the poem makes the storm seem even more menacing because human preparation is not sufficient protection.
Irony: Safety
One of the main ironies of the poem is that the Islanders think they are safe at the start. This is ironic because the storm completely overpowers them. The first line of the poem is full of irony:
Strong statement
- The poem opens with a strong statement – “We are prepared”. - This emphasises the confidence and sense of security of the Islanders.
Caesura
- The use of caesura (break in the line) in the opening line reinforces the idea that the islanders feel safe.
- It conveys the speaker’s certainty, as well as the sense that they are safely barricaded in their homes.
Test yourself on Themes 2
Which two words does Heaney juxtapose (put together for contrast or comparison) in the final line of the poem to emphasise the irony?
What does the juxtaposition of “huge" and "nothing" at the end of Storm on the Island emphasise?
Why is it ironic that the islanders feel safe at the start of Storm on the Island?
What techniques are used in the first line of Storm on the Island to emphasise the irony of the islanders feeling safe?