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Understanding the poem 'Storm on the Island'
I can explain how Heaney presents the power of nature and ‘The Troubles’ of Northern Ireland in ‘Storm on the Island’.
Lesson 21 of 33
New
New
- Year 10
- AQA
Understanding the poem 'Storm on the Island'
I can explain how Heaney presents the power of nature and ‘The Troubles’ of Northern Ireland in ‘Storm on the Island’.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- ‘Storm on the Island’ can be read as a poem about the power of nature on the Aran Islands.
- Heaney may have been influenced by the conflict between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland.
- ‘Storm on the Island’ was published in 1966, when the IRA were carrying out military operations in Northern Ireland.
- The storm can be read as an extended metaphor for ‘The Troubles’.
- 'The Troubles' refers to a violent thirty-year civil conflict in Ireland which led to around 3,500 deaths.
Keywords
Extended Metaphor - a metaphor that extends over the course of several lines
Civil - relating to citizens of the same country
Unrest - a state of disturbance, involving public disorder
Common misconception
There is only one interpretation of the poem 'Storm on the Island'.
The poem can be a reflection of the power of nature, conflict between humans and nature, the political conflict or all.
Consider using videos or other resources to contextualise 'The Troubles' for students if they have no prior knowledge of this historical event.
Teacher tip
Equipment
You will need a copy of the AQA Power & Conflict Poetry Anthology for GCSE.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is an extended metaphor?
What is an extended metaphor?
a comparison between two things using 'like' or 'as'
a direct comparison between two things
Q2. is information which allows us to understand the social, historical or cultural background of a text.
is information which allows us to understand the social, historical or cultural background of a text.
Q3.What is sibilance?
What is sibilance?
the repetition of a vowel sound at the start of closely connected words
the repetition of a consonant sound at the start of closely connected words
Q4.What might be the definition of a civil war?
What might be the definition of a civil war?
a war between two countries
a war between multiple countries
Q5.A is a group of words closely related in meaning.
A is a group of words closely related in meaning.
Q6.What connotations might we have of the word 'island'?
What connotations might we have of the word 'island'?
connected
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How does Heaney present nature in 'Storm on the Island'?
How does Heaney present nature in 'Storm on the Island'?
as nurturing
as comforting
Q2.The conflict between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland between the 1960s-1998 was known as...
The conflict between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland between the 1960s-1998 was known as...
'The Problems'
'The Civil Unrest'
Q3.Which two interpretations are most commonly explored in relation to 'Storm on the 'Island'?
Which two interpretations are most commonly explored in relation to 'Storm on the 'Island'?
the poem reflects the destruction of nature on the island
Q4.What might the pronoun "we" used in 'Storm on the Island' suggest about the poem?
What might the pronoun "we" used in 'Storm on the Island' suggest about the poem?
suggests a sense of detachment
suggests a sense of upheaval
Q5.The ‘Storm’ in the title 'Storm on the Island' can be read as…
The ‘Storm’ in the title 'Storm on the Island' can be read as…
a metaphor for a natural disaster Ireland had faced.
a metaphor for Heaney’s familial conflict in the 1960s.
Q6.In 'Storm on the Island', Heaney uses a semantic field of __________ to describe nature in the poem.
In 'Storm on the Island', Heaney uses a semantic field of __________ to describe nature in the poem.
fear
safety
