How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #7
Strange, it is a huge nothing that we fear. (19)
Heaney ends the poem on a blatant admission of fear. While the wind is "a huge nothing," it makes a big impact and can cause plenty of damage. We've got to admit, these people are afraid for a reason. This line on its own gives us an opportunity to examine our own fears, too (just like in line 9). So, while we end the poem feeling for the people in the storm and why they're afraid, we're doubly affected because now we're thinking of whatever "huge nothing" in our personal lives that we fear, too. Thanks for bringing that to the fore, Heaney. We were hoping to save those fears for therapy.