Depiction Of Nostalgia In The Island By Grace Nicholas
“The Island” by Grace Nicholas, is a poem that is centred on a man visualising the memories of an island. It isn’t clearly said what this island was to him, but whether it was his past residence or a trip he went to, the waves and sensation the island held, stuck to him to the day this poem takes place. He clearly remembers what emotions the island gave him while he was there, and the author implies this by giving immense detail to each specification of the sand, beach, birds, or any other object an island would typically have. While he is talking about this island, the author uses very calming and positive adjectives to describe his experience there, and also adds in how he always comes back to the island. As a reader, you can sense how attached to the land he is, having the only name used for the character being “Island Man”.
The words the author uses makes the reader feel, relate, and sense the poem and understand the man’s emotions. The author uses different devices throughout the poem too. The device alliteration is used in “the sound of the blue surf/the sun shining/heaves him”. This created a textured sound as well as making it have a flow, all due to the fact that the words that were close together had the same constants.
The Island Man’s persona is both figuratively and literally connected to these nostalgic waves and beach the island held. This contrasts his feelings on what seems to be his current home: London. London is described as dull and muffled. After the line where he explains how he always goes back to the island, the word “groggily” is used. This means something that is exhausted or weak. After that, the poem cuts straight to him describing the boring London he despises so much. Using such a negative adjective sets a tone that is essentially his view on his current home. The difference between these two descriptions show how he misses that island he used to be in, and how he would do anything to go back.
These sentiments towards these two places can be relatable to many. It doesn’t need to be as specific as the Island Man’s situation, but could be someone who misses a time of their life that they used to have. This poem revolves around how strong nostalgia can be, which is something many people experience throughout their life. Constantly wishing to go back in time affects the view on the life you’re currently in.
