Storm on the Island The Home Quotes

The people take pride in the sturdiness and good craftsmanship with which they build their houses. They're not skimping or cutting corners. They make strong houses, and they're darn proud of it. But you've got to wonder why they pay such attention to sturdiness. This seems like more than just pride in good craftsmanship.

Though the land is dried up, and there are no crops, it's theirs and they have a sense of ownership. You might wonder why these people would want to stay there if the land isn't really great for farming. You might also wonder why people living on fault lines rebuild their homes after earthquakes—why not just move? Home, for many people, and certainly for those in the poem, is more than just the place where it makes the most sense to live. It's the place that's embedded in their hearts for one reason or another—family history, perhaps, or a strong tie to their community.

They sit helplessly while their home is being attacked. It's not a good feeling, but they probably feel good to have a sturdy roof over their heads (and glad they didn't skimp on shoddy construction). Maybe this temporary amnesia is a convenient way to avoid thinking about the storm blasting the roof off of their house—small comforts, people.

Because the land offers no natural shelter, it's all the more important that residents build strong houses. They sure don't get a lot of help from their surroundings, but these people seem pretty self-sufficient. Heaney really takes the time to remind us what isn't there. What's remarkable about that is that these people still consider this place home. That's a testament to the strength of their attachment to the place. Even though it gets totally gnarly storms and there's nothing out there for protection or company, they still stick it out.

Again, it's not super-fun to sit around helplessly during a storm, but because they did such a good job building their houses, they can feel somewhat protected. You get the sense that this isn't their first rodeo. Maybe past experiences with storms have taught them that preparing ahead of time and riding it out is the best way to go. And maybe, just maybe, these harrowing experiences make them all the more connected to their homes.