Storm On the Island vs The Prelude

Alternative transcript:

identity. Poem is focused on the Aran Islands which are traditionally used in Irish poetry as a symbol for Irish culture. Poem came from Heaney's first collection "Death of a Naturalist" which demonstrates the violence of nature rather than its beauty. The poem could possibly be an extended metaphor for struggles in Northern Island. The Prelude (William Wordsworth)- Wordsworth was born in the Lake District. He had a difficult childhood as he had a troubled relationship with his father, who later died as well as his mother. This caused Wordsworth to be split up from his siblings to live with other relatives. He didn't like his family and even considered suicide; he spent a lot of time outside as an escape from his life. Wordsworth was a romantic poet meaning he was against industrialism as he wanted to preserve nature. His poem had a message of warning to the contemporary society that was transforming fields to factories, words to roads. He was an early supporter of the French Revolution, however, later lost support when the revolution turned violent, seeing it as evidence of humanity's innate evil. Structure: Storm On the Island - The poem follows a constant rhythm of iambic pentameter which gives the poem a somewhat conversational tone. The constant conversational tone may reflect that the islanders can only survive the storm together as a community. The poem does not have a consistent rhyming scheme which may reflect that order cannot be enforced on nature. Nature is more powerful than humans, so they have no control over it. This contrasts the controlled rhythm which may shows the human power resisting the storm. Throughout the poem the poet also uses enjambment. The overflowing lines may reflect the constant barrage of the storm. The poem is also organised into a single stanza which may mirror the overwhelming power of the storm. As the reader is overwhelmed and breathless by the single stanza and enjambment, they replicate the panicked feeling of the islanders. The Prelude- The Prelude is an epic poem meaning it is a lengthy poem focused on a heroic protagonist, arguably the hero in the poem is nature personified. The entire extract is arranged in a single stanza which emphasises the overwhelming power of nature. The lack of breaks or pauses which causes the reader to become breathless. This overwhelmed feeling may mirror how Wordsworth felt by the immensity of the mountain and nature. The reader can empathise with the speaker as they both share the same feeling, caused by something great and overwhelming. Wordsworth also uses enjambment which also gives the poem a lack of control due to the lack of structure. This reveals that nature is uncontrollable, thus a greater element over humans. Quotes: "We are prepared: we build our houses squat" vs "(led by her)" "We are prepared: we build our houses squat" (SOTI) - The very opening of the poem creates a sense of fear and threat as the audience begin to ask questions, for what are they prepared? The idea that the people "build houses squat" suggests that they need to be low to the ground, suggesting danger is above them. The opening using the collective pronoun "we" may suggest that the community are in this battle together, sending a message that people combined are the most powerful. This may be a message to the people of Ireland who have been divided for many years. "(led by her)"- This may be considered an allusion of Mother Nature and how she is responsible of nurturing for the entire planet. The use of personification suggests that nature is able to act like a human and "lead" her children. Just like a mother cares for her children, nature cares for the world and takes care of it. The start of The Prelude is much more peaceful and calmer than SOTI as nature creates a sense of care and protection. "You might think the sea is company. // exploding comfortably" vs "heaving through the water like a swan" "You might think the sea is company" (SOTI) - This presents nature in a way that makes it sound comforting and reliable, which contrasts the previous destructive image. However, it is again proved to be destructive through the oxymoron "exploding comfortably". This shows the two sides of nature. "Exploding" reveals the true power nature has, capable of causing mass destruction. The war like connotations suggest humans are in a battle with war but also may reflect the ongoing political war in Northern Island. "Comfortably", creates a much less oppressing view on nature suggesting it is beautiful. This may suggest that the wonders of nature are deceiving as they do not truly reflect the power nature has over humans. "Heaving through the water like a swan" (TP) - This simile is used to compare the boat to a swan, a swan being a graceful animal. This comparison may suggest that we try to mimic nature but aren't as graceful as nature as the boats "heaving". Heaving suggests that the boat is struggling, the movements are not smooth suggesting nature is greater than humans. The juxtaposition of "heaving" and swan" creates a direct contrast between nature and humans, emphasising how powerless humanity really is. "spits like a tame cat // turned savage" vs "trouble to my dreams" "spits like a tame cat // turned savage" (SOTI) - The islanders here were mistaken to believe they had managed to tame and essentially control nature, however, just like the cat, nature turned against them. This replicates how the islanders never owned nature, it was always more powerful than them. This also once again reveals the two sides of nature, the sea can be calm and tame but also rough and savage. This may reveal that nature is unpredictable, thus uncontrollable revealing how powerless humans are compared to it. "trouble to my dreams" (TP) - Nature has more power over humans as it is not controlled or limited by time. This quote shows the long term impacts nature has on the speaker, this transforming event may be considered humbling for the speaker as he witnesses the greatness of nature. The power nature has is causing him to rethink his place in the world. Its showing that we can try to control nature but nature will always be more powerful. Line of Argument: Both poets reveal the overwhelming power of nature and its permanent control over the planet. Although both poets collectively present nature as omnipotent, Heaney demonstrates the violence of nature rather than a romanticised view of its beauty. Whereas Wordsworth reveals the greatness of nature and its abilities to dominate those who try to control it. Nevertheless, both poems successfully highlight the unchallengeable power nature truly has.