Question 1: Briefly describe the context of 'Storm on the Island' and its place within the Power and Conflict poetry anthology.

Answer: The poem reflects on the power of nature and human vulnerability, set against the backdrop of an island facing a storm, illustrating themes of conflict and resilience.

Question 1: What is the significance of the opening line 'We are prepared: we build our houses squat, / Sink walls in rock and roof them with good slate'?

Answer: It suggests human resilience and readiness against natural forces, emphasizing the effort to defend and withstand the storm.

Question 2: How does the imagery in 'Blast: you know what I mean— / leaves and branches' contribute to the mood of the poem?

Answer: It creates a vivid, tangible sense of the storm's power, evoking chaos and unpredictability, heightening the tension.

Question 3: Analyze the line 'Space is a salvo'—what does this metaphor suggest about the landscape?

Answer: It compares the open space to a gunfire or artillery salvo, emphasizing the destructive, explosive force of the natural elements.

Question 1: Find a metaphor in the poem that relates to nature. Explain its effect on the reader.

Answer: The line 'We just sit tight while wind dives and strafes' uses personification and imagery to depict the wind as aggressive, creating a sense of threat and vulnerability.

Question 2: Identify a simile from the poem and discuss how it enhances the poem's themes.

Answer: The simile 'like a tame cat / turned savage' contrasts calmness with danger, illustrating the unpredictable power of nature.

Question 3: Select a line that employs alliteration and explain its impact.

Answer: The line 'spits like a tame cat / turned savage' uses alliteration with 's' sounds to evoke the hissing, dangerous quality of the storm.

Question 1: How does the poem explore the theme of human vulnerability in the face of nature?

Answer: The poem shows that despite human efforts to build and prepare, nature remains powerful and unpredictable, highlighting our vulnerability.

Question 2: Discuss how the poem presents the idea of conflict between mankind and nature.

Answer: The poem depicts a tense struggle where humans try to defend themselves against the storm, but ultimately, nature's power dominates, symbolizing conflict and resilience.

Question 1: Analyze the quote: 'We are bombarded by the empty air.' What does this suggest about the storm's impact and the speaker's perspective?

Answer: The phrase 'bombarded' implies relentless attack, creating a sense of chaos and danger. 'Empty air' suggests the vast, uncontrollable power of the storm, emphasizing human vulnerability and the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Question 2: Deeply analyze the phrase 'spits like a tame cat / turned savage.' How does this metaphor deepen our understanding of the storm's nature?

Answer: This metaphor vividly depicts the storm's unpredictability—initially calm ('tame cat') but capable of sudden aggression ('turned savage'). It highlights the volatile, threatening aspect of nature, and reflects the theme of unpredictability and danger.

Question 1: Outline key points for comparing 'Storm on the Island' with 'Ozymandias' in terms of how power is portrayed and its effect on the reader.

Answer: Both poems explore the theme of power—'Storm on the Island' depicts nature's uncontrollable force, emphasizing human vulnerability, while 'Ozymandias' shows the transient nature of human power and pride. Comparing their effects reveals how power can be awe-inspiring yet ultimately fleeting or overwhelming.

Question 1: Draft a brief essay plan covering introduction, main points about language devices, structure, themes, and a conclusion.

Answer: Introduction: Context and overview of the poem's focus on nature and resilience. Main points: Use of vivid imagery and metaphors to depict the storm's power; structural choices like shifts in tone or rhythm to build tension; themes of vulnerability and human effort to withstand natural forces. Conclusion: The poem emphasizes that despite human preparations, nature's power remains formidable, evoking both awe and resilience.