TJNOTES
TJNOTES
COMPARISON BETWEEN PRELUDE AND STORM ON THE
ISLAND
TJNOTES
Both ‘Extract from the Prelude’ by Wordsworth and ‘Storm on the Island’ by Heaney suggest
that the power of nature is greater than the power of humanity. In Wordsworth’s poem, the
speaker enters into the power of nature, and it changes him dramatically. In Heaney’s
poem, nature arrives aggressively at the island. However, the islanders reflect how
unchanged they are after this assault. Although there are opposing outcomes for the
speakers, both poets are united by the attitude that nature will always remain feral and
TJNOTES
should be revered rather than repressed, as the latter is not possible.
Both ‘Extract from the Prelude’ and ‘Storm on the Island’ explore nature’s power and
suggest that it is more powerful than humanity. In ‘Extract from the Prelude’, Wordsworth
uses a collection of words that convey magical qualities, such as ‘glittering’ and ‘sparkling’.
These words suggest that nature possesses a power beyond the understanding of the
TJNOTES
mortal, modest limits of mankind. Although Wordsworth is detailing the moonlight’s
reflection on the water, it is as though he is transcended into a mystical realm. The use of
these words creates a very magical feel and demonstrates the power and beauty that
Wordsworth, a Romantic poet, can see in the natural world. Unlike Wordsworth, Heaney
suggests that the natural world has tameable qualities but can remain unpredictable.
Heaney presents the sea as very powerful by writing that it ‘spits like a tame cat turned
savage’. Heaney’s description creates the idea that the sea is spitting at the islanders like a
TJNOTES
wild, savage animal. Although the sea was ‘tame’ to some extent, Heaney warns that nature
will always be untameable at heart and feral, like a cat that has abandoned human
companionship. This could reflect the way Heaney feels about the natural world. As a result
of growing up in the countryside, Heaney would have felt comfortable with nature, but
knew how unpredictable it could become during a violent storm.
Both poems explore nature’s threat, suggesting that it can easily overpower humanity.
TJNOTES
Wordsworth conveys how he feels threatened by nature by writing that the mountain
‘upreared its head’ and ‘strode after me’. Wordsworth’s use of personification helps the
reader to imagine that the speaker sees the mountain as a terrifying, ominous creature that
looms over the narrator and pursues them. Wordsworth details that the mountain ‘strode
after me’, which could demonstrate the speaker’s concern that he is being chased by the
untameable mountain, and rapidly tries to row his boat away from it. The speaker’s terror at
TJNOTES
this moment contrasts with how peaceful he felt at the start of his boat journey. This
transformation reflects Wordsworth’s belief that nature can be both peaceful and
frightening. Perhaps Wordsworth is also warning the reader that nature, no matter how
tranquil and placid it may seem, always has the power to conquer humanity. Heaney also
conveys the idea that nature is a powerful, ominous presence in ‘Storm on the Island’.
Heaney uses battle-like imagery to convey that the islanders feel threatened by the might of
the storm. Heaney’s use of the word ‘exploding’ suggests that the sea is beating violently
TJNOTES
against the cliffs as nature commences its assault on the island. His use of the word
‘bombarded’ implies that the islanders feel there is no escape from the storm; they are
being attacked on all sides and a war is upon them. The word ‘pummels’ helps the reader to
imagine that the wind is like a person beating its fists against the islanders and against the
cliffs. It is clear how threatened both speakers feel. Both poets are intimidated by the
powerful threat of nature and suggest that mankind is fragile and vulnerable in comparison.
TJNOTES
TJNOTES
COMPARISON BETWEEN PRELUDE AND STORM ON THE
ISLAND
TJNOTES
Both ‘Extract from the Prelude’ by Wordsworth and ‘Storm on the Island’ by Heaney suggest
that the power of nature is greater than the power of humanity. In Wordsworth’s poem, the
speaker enters into the power of nature, and it changes him dramatically. In Heaney’s
poem, nature arrives aggressively at the island. However, the islanders reflect how
unchanged they are after this assault. Although there are opposing outcomes for the
speakers, both poets are united by the attitude that nature will always remain feral and
TJNOTES
should be revered rather than repressed, as the latter is not possible.
Both ‘Extract from the Prelude’ and ‘Storm on the Island’ explore nature’s power and
suggest that it is more powerful than humanity. In ‘Extract from the Prelude’, Wordsworth
uses a collection of words that convey magical qualities, such as ‘glittering’ and ‘sparkling’.
These words suggest that nature possesses a power beyond the understanding of the
TJNOTES
mortal, modest limits of mankind. Although Wordsworth is detailing the moonlight’s
reflection on the water, it is as though he is transcended into a mystical realm. The use of
these words creates a very magical feel and demonstrates the power and beauty that
Wordsworth, a Romantic poet, can see in the natural world. Unlike Wordsworth, Heaney
suggests that the natural world has tameable qualities but can remain unpredictable.
Heaney presents the sea as very powerful by writing that it ‘spits like a tame cat turned
savage’. Heaney’s description creates the idea that the sea is spitting at the islanders like a
TJNOTES
wild, savage animal. Although the sea was ‘tame’ to some extent, Heaney warns that nature
will always be untameable at heart and feral, like a cat that has abandoned human
companionship. This could reflect the way Heaney feels about the natural world. As a result
of growing up in the countryside, Heaney would have felt comfortable with nature, but
knew how unpredictable it could become during a violent storm.
Both poems explore nature’s threat, suggesting that it can easily overpower humanity.
TJNOTES
Wordsworth conveys how he feels threatened by nature by writing that the mountain
‘upreared its head’ and ‘strode after me’. Wordsworth’s use of personification helps the
reader to imagine that the speaker sees the mountain as a terrifying, ominous creature that
looms over the narrator and pursues them. Wordsworth details that the mountain ‘strode
after me’, which could demonstrate the speaker’s concern that he is being chased by the
untameable mountain, and rapidly tries to row his boat away from it. The speaker’s terror at
TJNOTES
this moment contrasts with how peaceful he felt at the start of his boat journey. This
transformation reflects Wordsworth’s belief that nature can be both peaceful and
frightening. Perhaps Wordsworth is also warning the reader that nature, no matter how
tranquil and placid it may seem, always has the power to conquer humanity. Heaney also
conveys the idea that nature is a powerful, ominous presence in ‘Storm on the Island’.
Heaney uses battle-like imagery to convey that the islanders feel threatened by the might of
the storm. Heaney’s use of the word ‘exploding’ suggests that the sea is beating violently
TJNOTES
against the cliffs as nature commences its assault on the island. His use of the word
‘bombarded’ implies that the islanders feel there is no escape from the storm; they are
being attacked on all sides and a war is upon them. The word ‘pummels’ helps the reader to
imagine that the wind is like a person beating its fists against the islanders and against the
cliffs. It is clear how threatened both speakers feel. Both poets are intimidated by the
powerful threat of nature and suggest that mankind is fragile and vulnerable in comparison.
TJNOTES
