Hurricane Hits England (Grace Nichols)

In "Hurricane Hits England," Grace Nichols explores the impact of a hurricane on the speaker's sense of identity and connection to her homeland. The poem begins with the hurricane itself, which awakens the speaker to the power and presence of the natural world. As the storm rages outside, the speaker feels a sense of fear and awe, but also a strange reassurance and connection to her Caribbean roots. She addresses the hurricane as Huracan, Oya, Shango, and Hattie—deities from Caribbean mythology associated with storms and wind. Through this invocation, the speaker seeks to understand why the hurricane has come to an English coast and what its significance is in the context of her own identity and heritage. The poem concludes with the speaker aligning herself with the hurricane, embracing its mystery and power as a means of breaking free from the frozen constraints of her inner world.You can read the poem below and find analysis further down the page.

Hurricane Hits England by Grace Nichols

It took a hurricane, to bring her closer

To the landscape.

Half the night she lay awake,

The howling ship of the wind,

Its gathering rage,

Like some dark ancestral spectre.

Fearful and reassuring.

Talk to me Huracan

Talk to me Oya

Talk to me Shango

And Hattie,

My sweeping, back-home cousin.

Tell me why you visit

An English coast?

What is the meaning

Of old tongues

Reaping havoc

In new places?

The blinding illumination,

Even as you short[1]

Circuit us

Into further darkness?

What is the meaning of trees

Falling heavy as whales

Their crusted roots

Their cratered graves?

O why is my heart unchained?

Tropical Oya of the Weather,

I am aligning myself to you,

I am following the movement of your winds,

I am riding the mystery of your storm.

Ah, sweet mystery,

Come to break the frozen lake in me,

Shaking the foundations of the very trees within me,

Come to let me know

That the earth is the earth is the earth.

Analysis:

Title Significance:

The title, "Hurricane Hits England," immediately sets the scene and indicates that the poem will focus on the impact of a hurricane on the English landscape and the people living there. The title also hints at themes of displacement, cultural identity, and the power of nature.

Setting:

The poem is set in England during a hurricane, which serves as a catalyst for the speaker's reflections on her Caribbean heritage and identity. The setting plays a significant role in shaping the speaker's sense of connection to her homeland and the natural world.

Imagery and Sensory Language:

Nichols uses vivid imagery and sensory language to evoke the power and presence of the hurricane, such as the "howling ship of the wind" and the "blinding illumination." Sensory details, such as the sound of the wind and the sight of trees falling, create a visceral and immersive experience for the reader.

Structure:

The poem consists of several stanzas of varying lengths, with irregular line lengths and no consistent rhyme scheme. The structure mirrors the tumultuous and unpredictable nature of the hurricane, as well as the speaker's shifting emotions and thoughts.

Tone and Mood:

The tone is reflective and contemplative, with a sense of awe and reverence for the power of the hurricane. The mood is both fearful and exhilarating, as the speaker grapples with the intensity of the storm and its implications for her sense of identity.

Themes:

Cultural Identity and Heritage: The poem explores the speaker's connection to her Caribbean heritage and the ways in which the hurricane serves as a reminder of her roots.

Power of Nature: Nichols highlights the power and presence of nature, as embodied by the hurricane, and its ability to awaken a sense of awe and wonder in the speaker.

Displacement and Belonging: The poem touches on themes of displacement and belonging, as the speaker grapples with her identity as a Caribbean woman living in England and the ways in which the hurricane connects her to both worlds.

Language and Diction:

Nichols's language is rich and evocative, with an emphasis on imagery and sensory detail. The use of Caribbean mythology and imagery adds depth and resonance to the poem, enhancing its exploration of cultural identity and heritage.

Conclusion:

Hurricane Hits England by Grace Nichols is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of cultural identity, the power of nature, and the human experience of displacement and belonging. Through vivid imagery and reflective language, Nichols captures the intensity and significance of the hurricane as a catalyst for the speaker's reflections on her Caribbean heritage and her connection to the natural world. The poem offers a poignant exploration of identity, belonging, and the enduring power of the earth and its elements.

You can find analysis of all the Edexcel Time and Place Poetry Anthology Poems here.